# local food traditions around the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699 "2013-08-08T13:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/1 "2013-08-08T13:03:52Z")
On an episode of No Reservations I saw a few days ago, a New Orleans resident was talking about the food traditions peculiar to that city and its hinterlands (creole/cajun). He spoke of the idea of celebrating local food traditions around the country, offering the comment, “I don’t believe, for example, that people in Ohio had nothing to eat before McDonald’s came along.” It raises an interesting question: what _are_ the unique local food traditions around the country? For example, northern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan have [the pasty,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasty#In_other_regions) a pastry shell filled with diced beef, onion, potato and turnip, originally suitable for eating as hand food. I guess New England has clam chowder, and Old Bay seasoning originated in Baltimore. What else is there? What food traditions come from, say, Montana? Arkansas? North Carolina? Washington? Pennsylvania? Anywhere else? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/2 "2013-08-08T13:09:55Z")
We (Maryland) also have [Smith Island Cake](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20393387_21,00.html). ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/3 "2013-08-08T13:15:18Z")
Add to New England the clam bake and lobster rolls. Upstate New York has [speedies](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiedie). Someone more knowledgeable than me can add to the BBQ discussion. I know Eastern North Carolina has a vinegar based BBQ sauce on pork, and Texas uses beef. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/4 "2013-08-08T13:29:04Z")
We (Texas) have our own style of barbecue, and originated corny dogs, chicken-fried steak (not country-fried, mind you), and chili. I’ve been to Kansas several times, but I honestly can’t think of anything original food-wise from up there- someone gave me some sort of wheat berry snacks once, but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/5 "2013-08-08T13:30:57Z")
In DC, we had [Half-Smokes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-smoke). Here in FLA, we have [Conch Fritters](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ij_MMjHblY). ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/6 "2013-08-08T15:39:46Z")
Well, Cincinnati’s well known for its [chili](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili). I’ve also seen it claimed that we invented the cheese coney, which may or may not be the case; I’ll only say that our style of chili is particularly well-suited to the dish (and that anyone who puts chili with beans on a hot dog should have their cheese coney privileges revoked). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/7 "2013-08-08T15:45:38Z")
Western NY has [Beef on Weck](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_on_weck_sandwich) and [Salt Potatoes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_potatoes). Not sure if you would agree, but [Buffalo Wings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_wing) were also invented in Buffalo NY. Rochester specific is the [Garbage Plate](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_plate). \ and while it isn’t really specific, the Friday night[Fish Fry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_fry)is what I grew up with, a whole cod or haddock filet in [beer batter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batter_%28cooking%29#Beer_batter) [not the bread crumbs or tempura crap like here in Connecticut:p] ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/8 "2013-08-08T15:50:55Z")
MA and RI have Coffee Milk and Fluffernutter ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/9 "2013-08-08T15:59:08Z")
South Dakota has [Chislic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chislic). And maybe Indian fry bread, but I think that’s pretty much everywhere out west. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/10 "2013-08-08T16:23:06Z")
Southern Maryland, specifically St. Mary’s County, is known for [stuffed ham.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuffed_ham) Personally, it’s OK, but I don’t see why everyone gets all wound up about it. Maybe because I’m not a native. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/11 "2013-08-08T16:26:59Z")
Northern New Mexico has the best Mexican food. Beats hell out of that Tex-Mex garbage. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/12 "2013-08-08T17:01:30Z")
Most of Wisconsin’s traditional foods come from its immigrants, but that is probably true for most US states. In my area of the state there is [Booyah](http://www.classicwisconsin.com/features/goodbooyah.html), which is a chicken (usually) stew cooked in large kettles. It’s derived from recipes from immigrants from the BeNeLux region. Unsurprisingly, some of the town names in this area are Belgium, Luxemburg, Brussels, Denmark, Walhain (See also Walloon), etc. Door County is famous for its [Fish boils](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_boil), which, despite the unappetizing name, are quite delicious. Of course the state is well known for sausages, most notably the bratwurst, but also kielbasa and other ethnic varieties. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/13 "2013-08-08T17:10:29Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Most of Wisconsin’s traditional foods come from its immigrants, but that is probably true for most US states. Got any lutefisk in your neck of the woods? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/14 "2013-08-08T17:12:53Z")
Hawaii has poi. If you want to see what it’s like but can’t afford a trip to there, just by a pot of library paste and dig in. (I did attend a potluck on the U of Hawaii campus once where someone who had spent time in the South Pacific brought some very nice banana poi she’d learned to make while down there. Tasted like banana pudding. The Hawaiian stuff is foul though.) And it’s the home of shave ice. (No, that’s not “shaveD ice.”) ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/15 "2013-08-08T17:15:27Z")
> [@bump](#): > > We (Texas) have our own style of barbecue, and originated corny dogs, chicken-fried steak (not country-fried, mind you), and chili. > > I’ve been to Kansas several times, but I honestly can’t think of anything original food-wise from up there- someone gave me some sort of wheat berry snacks once, but that’s about it. What is the difference between Chicken-fried steak and country-fried steak? Every source I check says they are the same thing… ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/16 "2013-08-08T17:33:48Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Got any lutefisk in your neck of the woods? It’s not unheard of, but I think that’s more of a Minnesota thing. More Scandihoovians over there. ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/17 "2013-08-08T17:41:17Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Got any lutefisk in your neck of the woods? We still do in MN, but I don’t know anyone under 70 that eats it other than as a drunken dare. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/18 "2013-08-08T17:50:31Z")
> [@AnthonyElite](#): > > What is the difference between Chicken-fried steak and country-fried steak? Every source I check says they are the same thing… I think it’s more of a derivation when we’re talking about restaurants, but essentially the difference is that chicken-fried steak is battered and fried in the same manner as chicken- it’s crispy and has a batter coating, and is invariably served with cream gravy. In Texas anyway, it derived from the various sorts of schnitzel that the German immigrants ate in the old country, and adapted to local ingredients. Country-fried steak is the style where it’s dipped in milk and flour and pan-fried. Still delicious, but not quite the same thing. Not quite as breaded, not quite as crispy and often served with brown gravy. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/19 "2013-08-08T17:53:53Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I think it’s more of a derivation when we’re talking about restaurants, but essentially the difference is that chicken-fried steak is battered and fried in the same manner as chicken- it’s crispy and has a batter coating, and is invariably served with cream gravy. In Texas anyway, it derived from the various sorts of schnitzel that the German immigrants ate in the old country, and adapted to local ingredients. > > Country-fried steak is the style where it’s dipped in milk and flour and pan-fried. Still delicious, but not quite the same thing. Not quite as breaded, not quite as crispy and often served with brown gravy. That makes perfect sense; I’m sure it gets befuddled when people change the recipe constantly so it blurs the lines of both and confuses the two. My input: **Clam Cakes** from Rhode Island! ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699/20 "2013-08-08T18:01:12Z")
Growing up in St. Louis we had toasted ravioli, which I didn’t realize was regional until I moved away. In Central / Southern Illinois there is this delicacy known as a horseshoe, which is a piece of sandwich bread covered with every fattening thing you can [imagine](https://www.google.com/search?q=illinois+horseshoe&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.50500085,d.cGE,pv.xjs.s.en_US.ciY8R2R6XC8.O&biw=1600&bih=782&wrapid=tlif137598477090910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=LtwDUqjvDemciALMg4G4BQ). Out here in Portland, OR we have these things called JoJos usually served with roasted or fried chicken. It’s basically a couple of giant steak fries. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-food-traditions-around-the-us/665699.md?page=2)