# Vice-Presidential culinary question: What is "hotdish" in Minnesota? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398 "2024-08-08T00:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/41 "2024-08-08T01:54:17Z")
Yeah, I caught that update in my edit. And the less said about that unholy abomination that is the _other_ Taco Time, the better. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/42 "2024-08-08T03:33:48Z")
They sell a generic brand at Save-A-Lot. They are called: TOTS. Anytime someone is going there and I want them to pick some up I say get me some TOTS!!! The tots shouted in my outdoor voice. Yeah, I crack myself up. Not so much my shopper. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/43 "2024-08-08T03:40:19Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Don’t think I’ve ever seen them. Thanks for the info and pic. Looking at what McCain (the big Canadian potato company) sells in Canada, their “[Tater Crisps](https://mccain.ca/en/products/bistro-selects/extra-crunchy-tater-crisps/)” are similar, though a different shape. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/44 "2024-08-08T03:46:00Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > Anytime someone is going there and I want them to pick some up I say get me some TOTS!!! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/X7dKebLZDTc/hqdefault.jpg "Give me your tots") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7dKebLZDTc) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/45 "2024-08-08T03:57:58Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Looking at what McCain (the big Canadian potato company) sells in Canada, their “[Tater Crisps](https://mccain.ca/en/products/bistro-selects/extra-crunchy-tater-crisps/)” are similar, though a different shape. Here’s McCain’s “Tasti Taters,” which are closer to the tot shape: > **[Tasti Taters®](https://mccain.ca/en/products/fun/tasti-taters/)** > > Why should the kids’ table have all the fun? Everyone loves Tasti Taters®. They’re delicious, trans fat and cholesterol free, and low in saturated fats. Made from real potatoes, and simple ingredients, this dish is an everyone pleaser! So, @Northern_Piper , you’ve got no excuse for not being able to find either Cavendish Farms’ version, or McCain’s version. Looking forward to your commentary on them. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/46 "2024-08-08T04:17:09Z")
My favorite hot dishes are hamburger/rice/cream of mushroom soup/cream of celery soup and tuna/egg noodles/cream of mushroom soup/cream of celery soup. Served alongside bread and butter plus a steamed green vegetable, of course. I always throw in some chopped onion and garlic as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/47 "2024-08-08T04:53:47Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Actually the recipe I saw used ground turkey. He uses turkey so his vegetarian daughter can eat it (**[link](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/tim-walz-minnesota-state-fair-midwestern-dad)**). ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/48 "2024-08-08T04:56:12Z")
I assumed tater tots were a staple in all US school cafeterias. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/49 "2024-08-08T04:56:43Z")
You didn’t ask me, but they’re disgusting. Ivy got them once when we had freebie on the APP. Sonics nacho cheese leaves much to be desired. It comes in a can. Arrrggghh! (I think Sonic commandeered the name Totchos) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/50 "2024-08-08T04:59:24Z")
“God made ~~beer~~ tater tots because he loves us, and wants us to be happy.” - kenobi\_65 ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/51 "2024-08-08T05:12:47Z")
I’ve only eaten at Sonic a few times. I really didn’t care for any of it. If I try this thing, I’ll make my own. No cheese in a can. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/52 "2024-08-08T05:13:18Z")
And your assumption was correct. Lunchroom fare also includes tuna melts, sloppy Joes, hamburgers stretched with soy meal, and pizza with sauce probably made from cream of tomato soup. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/53 "2024-08-08T05:28:00Z")
Tots; not just for kids anymore. The best tots are Taco John’s Potato Oles. But they are non-standard, they have spice. For conventional tots, most commercial brands are fine, and air fryers are the best invention ever for tots (and really, any home french fried potato product). As for the OP, I prefer a simpler hot dish: tuna noodle casserole. I have it all the time. I do use spice: Pleasoning, just like mama used to make, ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/54 "2024-08-08T09:14:33Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > > > Actually the recipe I saw used ground turkey. > > He uses turkey so his vegetarian daughter can eat it (**[link](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/tim-walz-minnesota-state-fair-midwestern-dad)**). Turkey isn’t okay for vegetarians. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/55 "2024-08-08T09:16:29Z")
psst … try clicking the link ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/56 "2024-08-08T10:24:44Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And I must be really not in touch with US cuisine: “tater tots”, please? something potato related? They’re kind of like potato croquettes, although a croquette basically is a breaded and fried mashed potato stick or ball, whereas tater tots are made of shredded potatoes fried raw or even half baked. Tater tots are much better than croquettes IMO. And it’s nice to read a wholesome thread involving a politician for once. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/57 "2024-08-08T12:01:25Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Don’t forget the western Washington chain _Taco Time_ and their tots called “Mexi-fries”. Taco Time has (had?) locations in western Canada, too. I ate a boatload of Mexi-fries growing up in Saskatchewan. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/58 "2024-08-08T12:22:10Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And I must be really not in touch with US cuisine: “tater tots”, please? something potato related? “What’s ‘tater tots,’ Precious?” My mind is blown at the idea that someone doesn’t know what tater tots are. It’s a little more understandable that someone might not know what hotdish is. Howard Mohr had to explain it in his book _[How To Talk Minnesotan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Talk_Minnesotan)_. But there is a Wikipedia article. It includes a section about the Minnesota Congressional Hot Dish Competition. > **[Hotdish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotdish)** > > A hotdish or hot dish is a casserole dish that typically contains a starch, a meat, and a canned or frozen vegetable mixed with canned soup. The dish originates in the Upper Midwest region of the United States, where it remains popular, particularly in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. Hotdish is cooked in a single baking dish, and served hot (per its name). It commonly appears at communal gatherings such as family reunions, potlucks, and church suppers. A cla... ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/59 "2024-08-08T12:30:00Z")
I was married to a Minnesotan for 20 years. Our kids grew up eating this dish. Economical, easy to make, and relatively nutritious. When you’re living on a military wage and feeding four kids, you’ll try most anything. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398/60 "2024-08-08T12:30:02Z")
I am old and never heard the term hotdish. However, I am well acquainted with casseroles. New knowledge assimilated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vice-presidential-culinary-question-what-is-hotdish-in-minnesota/1005398.md?page=4)