Belvárosi Disznótoros (Károlyi utca)

"A field of dreams, a landscape of braised and fried and cured delights," mused the late Anthony Bourdain when describing 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: paprika and blood sausage, grilled pork chop, wild boar stew, schnitzel, and so on. I usually opt for the delicious roasted sausage with a side of mustard and a slice of bread.

Note that there's no seating, only high-top tables and standing counters and that a line of office workers often forms at midday. While waiting, cast a glance at the vast Neoclassical building across the street, which, including its lovely park, used to be home to the Count Károlyi family before WWI. Today, the Petőfi Literary Museum is inside. Note: Belvárosi Disznótoros has two locations, but this one, in Károlyi utca, is my preferred choice and the original.