Thanksgiving week has arrived. I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, but also to enjoying great food.
Top Plates
Last year I tried something new when I wrote Top 10 Plates. In that post I reflected on the most popular plates of food I’d ever shared online through a Google review (ranked by number of views). The process of creating the list was an exercise in remembering not simply the food on the plates but the people I was with and the experience of each meal.
Top 10 Plates – All Time
I’ve updated the list below (noting that my total views of review photos increased from just over 1 million late last year to just over 4 million). Again this year, the list of the top 10 plates of all time is based on all time views. The list contains 11 items since one of the top photos is of a space rather than a plate of food (denoted by *).
Each item is followed by the relative change in rank order and how many additional views it has experienced since last year’s list (or since being published if created after last year’s list was published).
- Grilled Duck Breast from Clay Pigeon (Fort Worth, TX) [+4, +243,016 views]
2. Key Lime Pie from Mediterrano (Naples, FL) [Unchanged, + 157,231 views]
3. Octopus from Sails (Naples, FL) [-2, +13,679 views]
4. Entry Corridor at Hearsay (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded in 2023, +136,719 views]*
5. Variety Box of Donuts from Hypnotic Donuts (Dallas, TX) [-1 +43,484 views]
6. Brussels Sprouts from Cut & Bourbon (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded in 2023, +114,498views]
7. Ratatouille from Cafe Modern (Fort Worth, TX) [+1, +62,613 views]
8. Tuile Aux Mures from Paris 7th (Fort Worth, TX) [-5, +544 views]
9. Crème Brûlée from Cut & Bourbon (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded in 2023, +85,154 views]
10. Mar Y Tierra from El Ranchito (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded in 2023, +84,716 views]
11. Nopalitos Fritos from Don Artemio (Fort Worth, TX) [Photo uploaded in 2022 but not on last year’s list, 84,594 total views]
Top 10 Plates – Enjoyed in 2023
This new list features only photos taken in 2023. The list is based on total number of views regardless of when the photos were uploaded. The list contains more than 10 items since some of the photos are of spaces rather than food (again denoted by *)
- Entry Corridor at Hearsay (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded March 2023, 136,719views]*
2. Brussels Sprouts from Cut & Bourbon (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded June 2023, 114,498 views]
3. Crème Brûlée from Cut & Bourbon (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded June 2023, 85,154 views]
4. Mar Y Tierra from El Ranchito (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded April 2023, 84,716 views]
5. Dining Room at Arnaud’s (New Orleans, LA) [Uploaded September 2023, 80,419 views]*
6. Brussels Sprouts from Galatoire’s (New Orleans, LA) [Uploaded September 2023, 62,874 views]
7. Rotating Bar at Carousel Bar (New Orleans, LA) [Uploaded September 2023, 47,915 views]*
8. Ahi Tuna Salad from Social House (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded April 2023, 42,504 views]
9. Mediterranean Thin Crust Pizza from Chicago Pizza & Grill (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded June 2023, 39,782 views]
10. Dining Room at Cut & Bourbon (Arlington, TX)* [Uploaded June 2023, 33,224 views]*
11. Seafood Platter from Harry T’s Lighthouse (Destin, FL) [Uploaded September 2023, 29,348 views]
12. Dining Room at Hearsay (Arlington, TX)* [Uploaded March 2023, 27,829 views]*
13. Fish and Chips from Social House (Arlington, TX) [Uploaded April 2023, 27,773 views]
14. Greek Salad from Abba’s Mediterranean (Mobile, AL) [Uploaded September 2023, 26,569 views]
15. Outdoor Dining Area at Cafe Du Monde (New Orleans, LA) [Uploaded September 2023, 24,373 views]*
16. Beef Bird Nest Noodle (Mi Xao Don) at BFF Asian Grill and Sports Bar (Arlington, TX) [Upfolded October 2023, 23,207 views]
Foodie Stats
While the all time list required 11 entries to achieve 10 plates, this year’s list required 16. Apparently my photos of dining spaces are becoming more attractive relative to all of my dining out photos over time.
Since the top four entries on this year’s list also appear on the all time list, there are a total of 16 different plates on the two lists. These 16 can be divided further divided by cuisine, course, and geography.
By cuisine
- American – 7
- Mediterranean – 2
- Seafood – 2
- Mexican and Tex-Mex – 2
- Asian – 1
- French – 1
- Pizza – 1
By course
- Appetizer – 2
- Entree – 9
- Side – 2
- Dessert – 3
By geography
- Texas – 11
- Florida – 3
- Louisiana – 1
- Alabama – 1
So What?
I like food. This post featured food enjoyed in restaurants because I’ve shared those photos in a way that is easily documented and that offers ample statistical data. I also capture images of food and friends as I enjoy food in people’s homes, including my own. That data, however, is less methodically captured and not posted to review sites (for obvious reasons).
Over Thanksgiving or whenever you may be reading this, I invite you to journey back in time remembering some of the most meaningful meals you’ve experienced over the last year. Who was gathered? What and where did you eat? Why does this experience find its way on to your list?