"What’s a no-frills fast-casual operation located along a largely residential stretch of the Berkeley neighborhood doing on a list like this? Being awesome, that’s what. In 2008, Osage Nation member Ben Jacobs and his partner Matt Chandra opened Tocabe as one of the only restaurants in the country to showcase American Indian culinary traditions. Whether stuffed or in the form of an Indian taco, fry bread’s the way to go for first-timers. But now that that’s decided, you’ve got a dozen more decisions left to make. (That’s only a slight exaggeration.) Pinto, black, or chili beans? Bison, beef, or chicken? If the former, spice-rubbed and shredded or ground with sage? Yes or no to cheese and lettuce? Which two of six topping combos will it be: maybe the Osage Hominy with cranberries, red onions, and cilantro and the Hot Tomato with roasted jalapeños and habaneros, chili powder, and garlic? (Still others involve pumpkin and sunflower seeds, green chiles, sweet corn and radishes, and more.) And what will be the finishing touch: sour cream and ancho-chipotle sauce, elderberry vinaigrette, or maple vinaigrette? Whew, you can work up an appetite just placing an order here—which is just as well, because portions are enormous." - Ruth Tobias