Did you know that visual memory is the least reliable form of recall that we possess? It's true. Of all your sensory memories, your visual memories are the most likely to lie to you. This is why the modern practice of law places such heavy emphasis on hard evidence over eye-witness accounts. When it comes to recalling what they've seen, witnesses are often less trustworthy than they mean to be.

This is also why it's such a shame that so many city guides and travel articles focus intently on the things you should see. They focus almost exclusively on the one sensory experience that doesn't truly linger. Sure, you'll remember it, but never for what it truly was.

What, then, should the focus be? Well, surprisingly, hearing is not that far removed from seeing, at least in terms of accurate recall, and besides, it is a hard thing to identify and explain the sound of a place. The smell of a city is equally awkward to recommend. There is, however, one guarantee: taste.

That's right! You might not remember what the halls of your elementary school looked like, or what your third grade teacher sounded like, but you'd recognize the flavor of Fruit Loops cereal in an instant, even if it's been forty years since your last bowl. By that same token, there is nothing else you will remember on your trip better than the food, and consequently, it is always the food that most captures the true spirit of a place. From Philadelphia Cheesteaks to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the taste of a place is what you should keep in mind when choosing a vacation destination.

Here we'll take five destinations that aren't necessarily on the great American food map but are certainly ready for their debut. We'll discuss the taste experience that you should have, make some helpful accommodation suggestions along the way, and hopefully you'll never travel on an empty stomach again.

San Francisco, California

The upscale nature of this coastal Californian highlight makes it a smart choice for travelers that care as much about their food as their excursions, and while you could easily spend a small fortune at some of The City by the Bay's most well-known eateries, you can have a robust experience for so much less.

Like most coastal cities, the best cuisine revolves around fresh seafood, and seafood-lovers have two goals on their to-do list. The first is enjoying some of the country's very best sushi. The expansive Asian communities of the Richmond district guarantee a great shop on every corner, and with fresh fish coming in straight from the coast, you'll want to try the sashimi. Remember, like every other form of cuisine, the big chains offer safety and consistency, but not always the quality. Shop small and go to places that are busy. Chances are if the locals can't get enough, you won't be able to either.

On any sightseeing tour of San Francisco you will inevitably pass through Fisherman's Wharf, and that's good because there's no better place to grab another local favorite: clam chowder. In fact, a majority of San Francisco's truly excellent seafood restaurants can be found at Fisherman's Wharf, and the clam chowder here is second to none. If you're watching your budget, stick to the reasonable sidewalk stands, as the restaurants, though very good, are on the expensive side.

Due to a convenient, scenic location, Fisherman's Wharf is also a great place to stay. For an upscale Fisherman's Wharf hotel, consider the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf. For a less expensive choice in San Francisco hotels near Fisherman's Wharf, the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf is a fine selection.

Cincinnati, Ohio

While San Francisco was all about finding the best of two foods that most are familiar with, in Cincinnati, Ohio they're known for an uncommon take on one of the United States' most passionately debated foods: chili. Like barbecue in the South, it seems every region and state in this country has its own ideas about what goes in chili, whether it's beans or no beans, onions, beer, chocolate (it's true!), and of course every meat under the sun from the common beef and pork to lamb, venison, turkey, and buffalo.

In Cincinnati they do have a unique recipe with Greek roots and featuring finely ground lamb or beef, unusual spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and often no tomato paste, however the real story in Cincinnati chili is how it is served: on a heaping plate of spaghetti. When you go into a Cincinnati chili house you might be caught off guard by the native lingo, so here's a primer:

A "three-way" is spaghetti topped with chili and finely shredded cheddar cheese. A "four-way" throws diced onions on top of that, and a "five-way" adds yet another layer with a generous helping of kidney beans. It may be unusual, but the well-spiced zing of the chili matches beautifully to the receptive noodles. Another popular treat serves the chili on top of a hot dog with shredded cheese. This is called a cheese coney.

Cincinnati is bustling with chain and independent chili shops, most of them very good. The largest chain, Skyline Chili, is a good start for those new to the cuisine, but for the cream of the crop, head over to Empress Chili on

For affordable Cincinnati hotel deals near downtown, stay at the Embassy Suites Cincinnati-RiverCenter. Or, for a convenient stay near the airport, the Hilton Cincinnati Airport hotel is your best bet.

Houston, Texas

Adventure is good for the spirit, but hearty food is good for the soul, and no matter where you go in Texas, you can guarantee that hearty will be on the menu. The popular saying is that everything is bigger in Texas, and that is surely true with the portions and flavors in Houston. Lauded as one of the food capitals of the country, up there with New York and Las Vegas, Houston offers excellent choices in everything from to-go only taquerias to booked-for-months fine dining bistros helmed by celebrity chefs.

There are few better places to enjoy cuisine so tasty they named it after the state, Tex-Mex. Despite that fact that most anywhere in the country that serves "Mexican" food is actually serving Tex-Mex, any native Texan will tell you that unless you've had it in the Lone Star State, you've just never had the real thing. Houston has an excellent assortment of super cheap taquerias that serve up traditional favorites that taste miles better than even the fanciest Mexican restaurant up in New York.

Another Houston staple is the all-American steakhouse. Family-style sides, laidback hospitality, and cuts of beef the size of your head are the go-to special occasion meal, and in Houston, it's always a special occasion. For the absolute cream of the crop, make a visit to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Houston. Voted the best steakhouse in Texas by "Texas Monthly" Magazine in 2007, Pappas Bros. does cattle-country proud with expertly dry aged steaks so tender and flavorful they could make you cry. Be prepared for the cost, though. Everything on this menu is a la carte, and it's nearly impossible for two people to get out under $100.

For a cozy location among Houston, Texas hotels, consider the Crowne Plaza Houston West.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is quintessentially a southern city and the cuisine follows suit. Southern classics such as fried chicken, cabbage coleslaw, cornbread, dark greens, chicken fried steak, and grits are easy to find and likely to be delicious if not too far out of the ordinary. Due to a large Greek community, you may also be surprised to find Greek favorites such as gyros on menus right next to the Southern items, especially in the older diners. But the way Charlotte stakes it culinary claim is a unique take on the South's finest: barbecue.

Ah, barbecue! In the South, everybody loves it, and everybody has an opinion on it. In Charlotte and much of North Carolina, the standard barbecue preparation will be smoked and slow-cooked pork shoulder chopped up and sauced. While you can order a plate, this preparation's finest application is the pork sandwich featuring a standard hamburger bun piled high with barbecued pork and a heaping dollop of creamy coleslaw, sometimes with mustard. If you prefer the coleslaw on the side, you'll need to ask, because the vendor will assume you want it on the sandwich.

If you like the coleslaw, you'll also find it served on hamburgers and hotdogs along with a hearty compliment of chili, so be prepared to be full.

For accommodations near Charlotte, NC, try the Double Charlotte Airport hotel.

Cleveland, Ohio

This diverse one-time steel town experienced an explosion a national culinary acclaim as recently as 2007 despite the fact that its incredible blend of ethnic food types has been among the country's best for years and years. Unlike the others we've mentioned like Houston or San Francisco which are defined by concepts or widely-accepted cuisines, Cleveland has many lesser experienced delicacies to discover.

Cleveland is an excellent place to find top-notch German, Hungarian, and other Eastern European restaurants, with the local specialties being pierogi and kielbasa. In its most well-known form, pierogi refers to a dumpling of unleavened dough, almost ravioli-like, rolled out and stuffed with a mashed potato mixture and then boiled. While this is delicious in every right, this is just where the dish begins, and throughout Cleveland you can find several regional variations on this classic to include many different styles of dough and more fillings that you could reasonably catalog.

For the best seat in town, call well-ahead or your trip for a seat at Baricelli Inn. The exquisite craft of Baricelli's Euro-American menu has garnered international acclaim.

For a convenient choice in Cleveland, Ohio hotels, stay at the Embassy Suites Cleveland-Rockside.

Of course, the universe of food in the United States is virtually boundless, and these five world-class destinations are just the start of a list that is just as vast. And remember, when planning that next big trip, no matter how many exciting landmarks are on your list, do a little planning ahead for the food. After all, when it's said and done, that's what you'll remember most, for better or worse.

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