Phnom Penh Noodle Shack is a family-owned Cambodian noodle restaurant in Long Beach, California, that began in 1985 as a tiny five-table “shack” serving simple Cambodian dishes, grew in reputation through the 1980s and ’90s under the Tan family, and was rebranded with a modern interior as Phnom Penh Noodle Shack in 2012 while continuing to share its rich culinary heritage with the community. Thw restaurant serves traditional Cambodian-style noodle soups and comfort dishes, featuring rich broths with rice or egg noodles, a variety of proteins like pork, shrimp, beef, and chicken, as well as stir-fry noodles and rice porridge that reflect the bold, aromatic flavors of Khmer cuisine.  I ordered the Phnom Penh Noodle House Special, which uses pork meat (sliced, ground, stomach, liver) and shrimp with big rice noodles. Served with pickled chili. The organ meats certainly give this soup an iron-y flavor. The plum soda was salty but so interesting - especially as a counter to the soup.

Grade: B

Sophy’s is a casual, family-oriented Cambodian restaurant known for its authentic Khmer and Southeast Asian dishes with some Thai influences, served in a comfy space located in Long Beach’s Cambodia Town. Sophy’s is a bit cluttered but clean. The neighborhood where the restaurant sits is the first Cambodia Town in the United States. The menu is large. Items labeled “Khmer” are intended to be traditional Cambodian. I ordered the "ahmok," which is a steamed fish curry and is the most famous dish in Cambodia. Catfish fillets are simmered in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, fingerroot, makrut lime fruit and its leaves. The curry is thickened with egg that creates an almost foamy custard. It's a bit funky, but it's also very interesting and delicious. Grade: A

Beercode is a gastropub located in the Airside Terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport and is known for its extensive selection of local craft beers from breweries like Dancing Gnome, Abjuration and Eleventh Hour. The food menu features items such as burgers, chicken and waffles, and pierogies. Wings, fish & chips, and even breakfast round out the menu. Pierogies are popular in Pittsburgh because of the city’s strong Eastern European immigrant history, especially Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Rusyn communities who settled there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants came to work in steel mills and coal mines and brought pierogies with them as affordable, filling comfort food made from simple ingredients like potatoes, cheese, and onions.

Beercode's pierogi plate includes caramelized onions and a sour cream sauce. I love pierogies. These were an OK version. The pierogies had some golden exterior, but they were a bit too greasy on the outside, which weighed down the first bite. Inside, the filling was dense and slightly dry, lacking the creamy softness that makes a great pierogi so comforting. While the flavors were there, the contrast in texture kept them from fully hitting their potential. Grade: B

Happy Little Teas is a cozy bubble tea cafe known for its wide variety of tea drinks (including milk teas, fruit teas, and smoothies) and fun toppings like chewy boba and jellies. Tiger Boba (often called tiger milk tea or tiger bubble tea) is my fav style of boba drink, and it's especially popular for its rich flavor and distinctive stripey look. This one featured brown sugar and creme brulee, which delivered a rich caramel sweetness with a smooth, indulgent finish. Grade: A

Local Craft Kitchen + Bar is located in the Pittsburgh airport and serves breakfast options like Cheddar Biscuits, Avocado Toast, and Egg Melt sandwiches. For lunch and dinner, there arw hearty sandwiches, including Pulled Pork, California Clubs, BLTs and Cuban sandwiches, along with a selection of soup and salads and side dishes that range from Mac & Cheese to Loaded Potato Salad. I had the Mr. Rogers Grilled Cheese - Granny Smith apples, caramelized onions, and brie on Texas toast, plus a side of tomato bisque. And, I can't lie. That comfort food hit the spot on a busy travel day. Plus, the sweetness from the grilled cheese elevated the dish a bit for me, adding new layers of flavor. Grade: A