"The town of Joshua Tree gets a lot of acclaim for its artsy aesthetic and desert culinary gems, but in recent years Twentynine Palms has been drawing big crowds, thanks in part to the addition of Kitchen in the Desert. Featuring a cactus-studded patio interspersed with historic mining equipment, this Black-owned restaurant serves Trinidadian-influenced American brunch and dinner seven days a week. Diners can enjoy ribeye steak, jerk chicken and waffles, and mezcal daiquiris while exploring the historic property and listening to occasional live music performances on a stunning covered patio." - Matthew Kang