Belvárosi Disznótoros (Károlyi utca)

"A field of dreams, a landscape of braised and fried and cured delights," said the late Anthony Bourdain of Belvárosi Disznótoros after a 2015 visit. This wallet-friendly self-service sausage shop in Budapest's downtown does serve a wide array of ready-made and to-be-prepared traditional meat dishes. Think paprika and blood sausage, grilled pork chop, wild boar stew, and schnitzel. I usually go for a simple and delicious cooked sausage with a side of mustard and a slice of bread (there's no seating, only high-top tables and standing counters).

A line of office workers often forms at midday; while waiting, cast a glance at the vast Neoclassical building across the street, which, including the lovely park behind it, used to be home to one the wealthiest Hungarian aristocratic families (Károlyi) before WWI; today, it houses the Petőfi Literary Museum. Note: Belvárosi Disznótoros has two locations, but this one, in Károlyi Street, is more comfortable.