# Surprised by American food **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 20, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668 "2007-03-20T03:15:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/261 "2007-03-24T09:51:37Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] They were a regional chain before that confined to only part of the South (I grew up in Louisiana and we didn’t have them for instance). [/QUOTE] Be that as it may, the recipe for Krispy Kreme came from Joseph LeBeouf of Lake Charles, LA. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/262 "2007-03-24T13:34:27Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] You are right. Krispy Kreme had a huge IPO a few years ago to raise money to expand like wildfire throughout new markets. They were a regional chain before that confined to only part of the South (I grew up in Louisiana and we didn’t have them for instance). [/QUOTE] FWIW, Baton Rouge had at least one Krispy Kreme, close to LSU’s campus, during the late 80s and early 90s. It was an old, diner looking place… very different from what the modern chain locations look like. However, if you grew up in the New Orleans area, like I did, you are right that there were no KK’s in the area. Two local chains – McKenzies and Tastee Donuts – had a hammer lock on the market. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/263 "2007-03-24T14:41:30Z")
I have a total sweet tooth. A friend in Britain once sent me Cadbury Creme Eggs, which are available year round there, unlike in the US, where they’re only in stores around Easter, and when they arrived, I ate three of them in a sitting. Admittedly, I felt completely sick afterwards, but I’m making a point: I like sugar. _Krispy Kremes are too sweet for me._ (It might be worth noting that I never had a KK donut until I was in my 20s.) There are a couple Dunkin’ Donuts/KFC hybrids in Sofia and I get myself a nice cake donut when I’m there. Pretty damned good, although it could just be the nostalgia talking. Donuts! It’s pretty easy to find peanut butter here in BG. There are even a couple Bulgarian companies making it, but I do _not_ recommend their version of the stuff. I prefer Woodman’s, a Dutch brand. I assume some Bulgarians must be eating it. They can’t possibly be stocking it for the random Americans in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/264 "2007-03-24T15:22:42Z")
Up here in Noo Yawk, they had a couple of stand-alone KK stores that opened a few years ago, but they closed soon afterwards (except for one on 3rd about 85th, I think, which is very small). Donuts are fine but walking into a place just for them, when you have so many other choices, was weird, although in the boros Dunkin’ has a following, more for their coffee and all. However, KK rides on in the Big Apple, as you can buy it in grocery stores and Starbucks and many other coffee shops have them available in the mornings. I realize that this violates the supposedly divine fresh KK experience, but what can you do. I did have a few fresh KKs on the one on 72nd when it was open and they were OK, not really a revelation. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/265 "2007-03-24T16:25:00Z")
Krispy Kreme is more a successful business than a good doughnut. I think a lot of people overlook that. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/266 "2007-03-24T18:12:55Z")
Not terribly successful, since, after their IPO, their stock collapsed. But they’re doing OK. Ask me, though, their success is due to the fact that their doughnuts are divine. 😛 Also, let’s stop hijacking this otherwise excellent thread with KK debate. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/267 "2007-03-24T20:35:56Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] I hate to sound stupid, but what else would you do with it? I realize it’s called a “sauce” but I can’t think of anything that you would put it on. [/QUOTE] I like to put it on potato pancakes. It’s surprisingly tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/268 "2007-03-24T21:04:16Z")
It’s always been my dream to take someone from another country through the meat section of my neighborhood Piggly Wiggly. As my neighbor says, “they use the whole pig from the root to the toot.” If that didn’t faze them, I’d then present a can (from the same store) of Pork Brains in Milk Gravy. Y’know, I’ve lived in North Carolina my whole life and there are aspects of Southern cooking even _I’m_ surprised by. Like a family pack of chicken feet. W.T.F.? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/269 "2007-03-24T21:20:43Z")
Aren’t unlimited refills of giant servings of soda and iced tea also another peculiarly American tradition? I’ve heard that if you order a Coke in some other countries you’ll get one small glass and be lucky if you get any ice. And you’ll pay twice as much. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/270 "2007-03-24T22:03:27Z")
[QUOTE=sciurophobic] Aren’t unlimited refills of giant servings of soda and iced tea also another peculiarly American tradition? I’ve heard that if you order a Coke in some other countries you’ll get one small glass and be lucky if you get any ice. And you’ll pay twice as much. [/QUOTE] Indeed here you often get 250ml of cola for something equivalent to $4 in certain restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/271 "2007-03-24T23:04:46Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] Actually, lutefisk tastes pretty good. And this from someone who’s not a big fan of fish. [/QUOTE] \ “It’s great with lots of butter!” 😛 Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/272 "2007-03-24T23:32:00Z")
[QUOTE=Muffin] Your pickle might be concealing a microphone. Keep your eyes open for a squashed cop. [/QUOTE] That’s a pretty obscure reference, **Muffin** , but we’ll Arlo it, this once. I don’t want a pickle… ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/273 "2007-03-25T00:07:44Z")
I want a motorsickle ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/274 "2007-03-25T00:28:35Z")
[QUOTE=Mehitabel] Up here in Noo Yawk, they had a couple of stand-alone KK stores that opened a few years ago, but they closed soon afterwards (except for one on 3rd about 85th, I think, which is very small). Donuts are fine but walking into a place just for them, when you have so many other choices, was weird, although in the boros Dunkin’ has a following, more for their coffee and all. However, KK rides on in the Big Apple, as you can buy it in grocery stores and Starbucks and many other coffee shops have them available in the mornings. I realize that this violates the supposedly divine fresh KK experience, but what can you do. I did have a few fresh KKs on the one on 72nd when it was open and they were OK, not really a revelation. [/QUOTE] I remember living in New York. On my way to work, I went to 86th and Lex to catch the 6 downtown. At the corner there is a dunkin doughnuts and an independent shop on the south-east corner. Dunkin’ Doughnuts was on the Southwest corner. I had to cross Lex from East to west to get going downtown (the subway there doesn’t connect below the street). So I’d always go to the local shop. Their doughnuts were better anyway. But DD is good too, better than KK by any measure. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/275 "2007-03-25T01:16:40Z")
The company is called Dunkin Donuts. Not Doughnuts. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/276 "2007-03-25T01:18:27Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] The company is called Dunkin Donuts. Not Doughnuts. 😉 [/QUOTE] But this is SDMB! Spelling perversions are not allowed! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lambo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/277 "2007-03-25T14:21:36Z")
When I was living in Atlanta while my wife was in grad school, we often helped other grad students in our circle of friends move between apartments. No pay, but the emails asking for help usually included the standard come-on, “beer and Krispy Kremes after”. You would show up, move stuff for a few hours, and then stand around and eat a few KKs and have a couple beers (usually, the movers would spring for something decent, like Sweetwater 420, which I CAN’T GET HERE DAMNIT). Hell of a lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/278 "2007-03-25T14:24:42Z")
Does “hell of a lunch” mean good or bad? Usually “hell of a” anything is bad. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/279 "2007-03-25T14:38:53Z")
[QUOTE=Walloon] Does “hell of a lunch” mean good or bad? Usually “hell of a” anything is bad. [/QUOTE] No it’s not–“hell of a” often means good. It’s so common a meaning that it’s shortened to “hella” among certain westcoasters: “That’s a hella bud, dude!” And context clues above make it clear that he means it’s a good lunch. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668/280 "2007-03-25T14:54:50Z")
Something can be “usually” one way (say two out of three times), but “often” (say one out of three) the other. If I had a “hell of a time” trying to get my car started in freezing weather, I wasn’t having a good time. If I told my child “that’s a hell of a way to behave to your father” I wouldn’t be complimenting her. “Hell” is supposed to be a place of eternal damnation and punishment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprised-by-american-food/396668.md?page=15)