I am reading (and quite enjoying) the book Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City’s Most Unwanted Inhabitants by Robert Sullivan. He has useful non-rat related information in his book about Milwaukee (a town that has historically been ahead of the rat-control curve).

“a great old hotel, the Pfister”
“the Milwaukee Public Library, where I looked at beautiful Audubon prints and read about Milwaukee’s rat control history, noting, for example, the numerous ‘Starve a Rat’ campaigns, the free rat films the city showed in rat-infested neighborhoods (titles included Listen to the Rat Man, Professor Rat, and the Rat King)” He does not make it entirely clear if you can actually watch these movies at the library. More detail is needed.
“Maeders, an old German restaurant” where he has assorted amazing food, including “what was billed as ‘Germany’s favorite soup,’ a soup made with duck and liver pate.” The restaurant also featured written testimonials from various “overweight, dead celebrities.”

Also he mentions “a sausage place (where I ate some of the best sausage I’ve ever tasted)” Details, mister Sullivan, we want the details!

OK, it’s a book about rats, not a travel guide, but boy, I want to go to Milwaukee and New York now!

Update: I just finished the book, and I highly recommend it. He makes up for the lack of restaurant detail in his Notes section with great notes about his sources and great anecdotes he came across on the way. Hurrah!