There is also a Dinosaur BBQ in Troy, NY which is on your way going 90W from MA. Honestly though. I’ve never figured out everyone’s love for it (and I lived in a Syracuse) so we’ve never been to the one in Troy.
We’ve eaten at some great restaurants S has taken us to in Boston, but I never remember the names.
Are you going to be in Cambridge on the weekend? Henrietta’s Kitchen is terrific for breakfast or brunch.
Carmine’s is always fun https://www.carminesnyc.com/
Thanks a lot everyone, this was extremely helpful.
@Time2Shine we’re only gong to be there for 4 days, so we’ll have to pick and choose. We’ll be staying with friends in the suburbs but will spend time mostly downtown and in Cambridge.
If you are traveling through Cleveland, you can have a great meal in Little Italy.
My favorite spot in Ann Arbor at the moment is Pilar’s Tamales, a little hole-in-the wall in the West End, out W. Liberty Street. Simple menu of tamales, pupusas, and sides like rice & beans, fried plaintains, fried yuca, plus authentic Mexican/Central American beverages like Hibiscus tea, horchata, and tamarind juice, but boy, is it tasty! Best tamales I’ve had anywhere, I think. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside is a riot of color on the walls, in the art, and in artisan-made items for sale. Lunch only—unless you’re up for a very early dinner, it closes at 6:00–and it’s only open Wed-Sat. A winner.
In Chicago, try Remington’s on Michigan Ave. Best Burger I’ve have since the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian (which is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life) Also, my daughter has been salivating over their chocolate mousse for about 2 years now. She asked her brother to bring some home from his recent visit to U Chicago.
There’s a nice Dinosaur BBQ in Rochester, NY too, in case you’re passing through that area. (And one in Troy too, in case RPI is on your list, though reviews of that one are mixed)
Of course, in NY there is Carmine’s. That’s an experience.
If your trip from Boston to Ithaca will take you down I-88, let me know and I can suggest a few places along the way. Lots of good food in upstate NY if you know where to look. 
I love the pricy Legal Seafoods in Kendal Square/MIT on the red line in Cambridge.
Mary Chung’s in Cambridge near MIT on Massachusetts Ave.
Night Market, Asian Street food, Harvard Square.
Ithaca, we love Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar, and Carriage House Cafe (breakfast, always a line !) , and the Istanbul Turkish Kitchen on 3rd in Ithaca:
http://istanbulithaca.com
http://maxies.com/index2.html
Do NOT miss the Cornell Dairy Bar ice cream, best ice cream on the planet, I love the blackberry ice-cream!
There are a lot of new flavors, as the Agriculture College offers an ice cream making class where students make
new flavors.
http://living.cornell.edu/dine/wheretoeat/cafescoffeehouses/cornelldairybar.cfm
Zingermans in Ann Arbor, has yummy baked goods as well as those tasty sandwiches.
Are you going all the way up to Columbia?
Here is a nice list for that part of Manhattan:
https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/where-to-eat-around-columbia-university
Moosewood in Ithaca is hard to find, and not as good as it used to be. Vegetarian. Molly Kaizen left Ithaca about
20 years ago now. Its a very small place, with meh vegetarian fare.
In NYC–
There’s a lunch place that is inside of a vintage dining car of a train on the top floor of Bloomingdales. It’s worth the experience – Le Train Bleu – but there are rumors that it’s finally closing.
Ann Arbor-
Gandy Dancer. I love the Martha’s Vineyard Salad. I make it for dinner parties.
Zingerman’s. Bring your appetite.
NYC-
Trattoria Trecolori
Boston-
Pomodoro. Cash only. My personal favorite but there is plenty of good Italian food in Boston.
Legal Seafood
Chicago-
Frontera Grill. They do not take reservations and the line starts forming around 30 minutes before opening time.
Monteverde for Italian.
Rosebud has several locations for Italian.
@Trixy34 yes, I think we’ll use I-88 from Troy.
@Coloradomama yes, we’re going to Columbia but I think we’re going over to friends’ house for dinner right afterwards.
@yucca10 - OK, so if you’re staying in Troy, you can probably make it to Ithaca without needing to stop to eat, but not knowing your itinerary, I’ll give you some suggestions anyway.
In Troy, of course, others have suggested the Dinosaur BBQ. I don’t know what other offerings are in Troy itself. Nearby in Albany, my parents said they had a good meal recently at the Merry Monk. There is also Yono’s, which is Polynesian, but apparently very expensive.
Heading down I-88 in Schoharie County, there is the Carrot Barn/Schoharie Valley Farms not too far off the highway in Schoharie where you can get a great sandwich. There is also the Apple Barrel, which is even closer to the highway, where you can get a nice lunch, piece of pie, etc. (Pie is better at the Apple Barrel than at the Carrot Barn)
In Middleburgh, which is a little further off the highway, but perhaps worth the trip if you want to break your stay in that area, there is The Hen & the Hound Bistro. It’s a little farm to table restaurant with excellent food and some very creative and delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes.
In Oneonta, there is the iconic Brooks’ House of BBQ where you can get probably the best “Cornell style” BBQ chicken in the state.
If you end up taking a bit more of a northern route through NY (don’t know if you’ll be stopping at Cooperstown, Hamilton College and/or Cornell), Sharon Springs on Rte 20 has some great places to eat.
Enjoy!!!
We liked John’s Pizzaria in NYC near times square. It’s in an old church, is very efficient and has good reviews.
Another vote for Johns in Times Square - our family favorite. Favorites in Boston include giacomo’s in the North End (cash only and you will wait on line outside to get in - no reservations) and Piccos in the south end (pizza and ice cream - try the mint chip).
I can’t believe we’re approaching 40 posts and no one has told you to stop in New Haven CT and go to Pepe’s, on Wooster St. Best pizza in the world. Have the clam pizza. Simpler is better here; no need to combine toppings. (Or even, really to have them. Except for the clam pizza. Or the wonderful pepperoni. One of the things that makes Pepe’s the best is that they don’t try to squeeze another nickel of profit by cutting the quality of the ingredients.) Then for dessert go next door to Libby’s for Italian pastries or gelato.
New York cheap(ish) option: Urbanspace food court on Vanderbilt Ave. in Manhattan. A collection of really high quality ethnic fast food places. Super fun, super good, super fast (and super crowded).
Oh my, reading all this makes me salivate already.
As long as we’re talking New Haven, Sally’s has the rival pizza to Pepe’s. If both places have a line, try Modern on State Street.
Urbanspace is a good suggestion in Manhattan. I have so many favorites – if you can say where you’ll be (UES, UWS, downtown) and your price range I can suggest some places.