Is it a question of age and patina? Is it a popularity that’s endured? Does classic as a label connect to unquestioned expertise, a level of quality that’s now the gold standard? If you want burritos in the Mission, this is the place. Or is it more about how a classic is almost a representative of what the city is? If you want to truly get Brooklyn, this joint is your spot. Whatever your definition, these kinds of places are the ideal, the exemplars, where you want to be. The Classics.
Miller Union from Wildsam Atlanta: Steven Satterfield’s veggie Valhalla shows off the foundation of Southern cooking: local produce.
The Burren from Wildsam Boston: Tufts students and older locals make for raucous nights at a bar with one of the area’s best live music scenes and rowdiest back rooms.
Peter Luger from Wildsam Brooklyn: Time-travel to old Brooklyn to hobnob with a martini and a porterhouse and spicy house sauce.
Berlin's Clothing from Wildsam Charleston: Harleston Village Fixture since 1883, when owner Henry Berlinski arrived with $1.38 in his pocket.
Bari from Wildsam Chicago: Deli with best-ever subs, handmade giardiniera, and more.
Millie's Cafe from Wildsam Los Angeles: Morning winner for “messes and scrabble” and nine different benedicts.
Murray's Sturgeon from Wildsam Manhattan: Premier purveyor of fine fish eggs.
Station Inn from Wildsam Nashville: In a town of institutions, none has remained its original self like this cinder block bluegrass grotto. Cold pitchers of Bud, mish-mash of seats, mandolin rain. 
Bacchanal Wine from Wildsam New Orleans: Courtyard party. Well-rounded bottle list, pick-your-own cheese plates, live jazz.
Isgro's Pastries from Wildsam Philadelphia: Family-owned Italian bakeshop. Handfilled cannolis with a spoon since 1994.
Apizza Scholls from Wildsam Portland: In a serious pizza town, this family-run line-out-the-door shop is what Friday nights were made for.
Soko Hardware from Wildsam San Francisco: An intergenerational shop stocked with Japanese tools, a combination of the beautiful and handy.
Back in the Day Bakery from Wildsam Savannah: Local love for this Starland original’s cupcakes, biscuits and pies long precede the national claim.
Pacific Fisherman Shipyard from Wildsam Seattle: An atmospheric port of call in salty Ballard, with vintage signs and sailorly bric-a-brac, but also very real ship repair and outfitting. 
Le Diplomate from Wildsam Washington, D.C.: The power brasserie. Insider tip: D.C.’s best breadbasket.