Road Trip Pit Stop: Fleming's Chicago-Style Deli, Vacaville

Vacaville might not be a place you'd visit unless you had business or relatives there, but its location straddling I-80 makes it a convenient stop for for a quick bite on the way to or from points east. A great alternative to the corporate chains that dominate the area is Fleming's Chicago-Style Deli, just a couple of blocks off the freeway, a friendly spot run by the eponymous family of Chicago natives.

Their Chicago dog ($4.50) is satisfyingly classic: Vienna Beef frank with the canonical "snap," Kryptonite-green pickle relish, mustard, onions, tomatoes, pickled sport peppers, and celery salt overflowing a poppyseed bun. I'm not a big fan of Chicago Italian beef and similar sandwiches, but the superior fresh-tasting and very spicy giardiniera on the Flemings' version ($6.95) makes it delicious.