# What foods are unique to your area? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 2, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229 "2011-08-02T22:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/81 "2011-08-03T17:56:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Its the same family of dishes, but poutine is made with curds–it’s kind of a central defining factor of the dish, although I hear there are parts of Canada that do use grated cheese in their poutine. Exactly. I’d love to try poutine someday, but cheese curds are not something I’ve ever seen around here. I imagine if you served it with a grated cheese and not cheese curds many people would argue it was no longer poutine. I laughed at my husband who attempted to order disco fries at a diner on LI. They tried, but man they messed it up. I grew up on LI and it’s not like it’s all that far from NJ, but I’d never heard of disco fries before I moved to NJ and obviously neither had the folks at the diner. I personally just like fries with brown gravy, no cheese, but I’m crazy like that. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/82 "2011-08-03T18:09:04Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > I’ll be in Ithaca this weekend, and I believe Wegmans carries Zweigel’s. PM me if you need me to pick some up and can meet me somewhere at a Red Line T-stop for the drop. If you’re in Ithaca, stop at Purity Ice Cream. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/83 "2011-08-03T18:13:08Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > How long has DC had mumbo sauce? When I first started traveling to different ghettoes in big cities in the U.S., I lamented the lack of a good Boss Sauce type sauce. > > Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Philly, DC…anytime I asked for [Boss Sauce](http://rocwiki.org/Boss_Sauce), I got a blank stare. When I tried to explain it, they would say, “You mean something like a sweet and sour sauce?” “No, no, no. Not like that.” > > This last trip to DC surprised me though. I went to a little soul food place and decided to try again. Success! She offered me mumbo sauce, and she spoke of it as if DC had this delicious sweet sauce all along! But I always ask when I go and had only gotten blank stares in response. > > Anyways, it’s not as good as Boss Sauce. Or [Country Sweet](http://rocwiki.org/Country_Sweet)sauce either. I forgot about Country Sweet. (I still miss the Country Sweet on Monroe.) I always assumed the local sauces were the same idea as what they serve in the Carolinas. Am I mistaken on this? Anyway, now I have to go to a Birdland. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/84 "2011-08-03T18:59:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Its the same family of dishes, but poutine is made with curds–it’s kind of a central defining factor of the dish, although I hear there are parts of Canada that do use grated cheese in their poutine. Ah, I see. You can get fries with cheese and gravy on them in a lot of places other than New Jersey, though (like Calgary, for example 🙂 ). ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/85 "2011-08-03T19:06:29Z")
Hawaii would fill a page with its regional cuisine, so I’ll pick a few comfort-food/truck stop/stadium fare type food: Loco Moco: Rice, hamburger patty, fried egg, topped with brown gravy Plate Lunch: Meat (teriyaki beef, chicken, or fried mahi), with rice and macaroni salad. Best when served from a lunch wagon. Saimin: ramen noodles, you can even get them at McDonalds. Really good if you fry them. Spam musubi: mainland hates spam, we love it. Wrapped in sushi rice and seaweed. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/86 "2011-08-03T19:25:48Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Dekalb Illinois is known for its [beer nuggets](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Beer%20Nugget). They must be new since we didn’t have them when I was there. New junk food! Hooray! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/87 "2011-08-03T19:45:09Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If you’re in Ithaca, stop at Purity Ice Cream. We lived in Ithaca for a few years, and every winter we were there my husband almost committed accidental suicide via Purity eggnog. He seems to be physically unable to stop drinking it until the container is empty. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/88 "2011-08-03T19:53:30Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > Although I haven’t had one, the [Magic Mountain](http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/07/presidents-magic-mountain-lunch-at-ross.html) is a local food item. Despite the terrible damage his wife has caused to childhood obesity, AKA: carbon sequestration, the man knows how to eat. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/89 "2011-08-03T20:49:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > First of all, and this is for _everyone_ in this kind of thing. If you don’t have your location listed, you should probably mention it. Serenata, I gather you’re in Wisconsin…do they not have butter burgers elsewhere? > > Also, I just found out recently that fish fries (as in “I’m going to get a Fish Fry later”…errr, that’s fried fish, not like french fries made with fish) are a midwest thing. Or at least aren’t nearly as big of deal once you get out of my area. In Milwaukee, it seems like _everyone_ goes out for a fish fry on Friday. I know of at least one restaurant that has a line wrapped around the block at their drive though from about 4:30pm until they close. I do have a location… There’s only one city known as Titletown (or at least only one town that is rightfully called that!). It’s Green Bay, WI. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/90 "2011-08-03T21:11:20Z")
[Lobster Rolls](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_roll) are pretty much restricted to New England. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/91 "2011-08-03T21:16:12Z")
It used to be you could only find fish tacos in San Diego and points south. Now they are everywhere, and not nearly as good. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/92 "2011-08-03T21:23:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If you’re in Ithaca, stop at Purity Ice Cream. Always. I live for Purity. Madigan Mint. Bittersweet. Peppermint. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/93 "2011-08-03T21:24:26Z")
> [@emmaliminal](#): > > We lived in Ithaca for a few years, and every winter we were there my husband almost committed accidental suicide via Purity eggnog. He seems to be physically unable to stop drinking it until the container is empty. My sister used to buy it and freeze it so she could drink it all year. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/94 "2011-08-03T21:34:23Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > I’ll be in Ithaca this weekend, and I believe Wegmans carries Zweigel’s. PM me if you need me to pick some up and can meet me somewhere at a Red Line T-stop for the drop. Speaking of Ithaca, one of my favorite grilled chicken preparations hails from that area: [Cornell Chicken.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srfTVlVOkhs) (Youtube link.) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/95 "2011-08-03T21:41:20Z")
Speaking of Ithaca, we never ate anything at [Sticky Rice](http://www.stickyriceonline.com/) that wasn’t transcendent, and some of what’s on their menu may be unique – run by a Laotian guy who took traditional Thai and Laotian dishes and added his own special genius. We would almost consider stepping foot in Ithaca again to eat there (our time there was otherwise mostly miserable). ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/96 "2011-08-03T21:58:24Z")
Isn’t Albany famous for their steamed hams? ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/97 "2011-08-03T22:07:47Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Isn’t Albany famous for their steamed hams? Even though they are clearly grilled… ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/98 "2011-08-03T23:34:18Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Isn’t Albany famous for their steamed hams? The ironic thing is there is a burger joint in CT that serves honest to God streamed hamburgers. ---
**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 4, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/99 "2011-08-04T00:13:00Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > First of all, and this is for _everyone_ in this kind of thing. If you don’t have your location listed, you should probably mention it. Serenata, I gather you’re in Wisconsin…do they not have butter burgers elsewhere? > > Also, I just found out recently that fish fries (as in “I’m going to get a Fish Fry later”…errr, that’s fried fish, not like french fries made with fish) are a midwest thing. Or at least aren’t nearly as big of deal once you get out of my area. In Milwaukee, it seems like _everyone_ goes out for a fish fry on Friday. I know of at least one restaurant that has a line wrapped around the block at their drive though from about 4:30pm until they close. Western NY is also known for [friday fish fries](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_fry). I love a traditional beer batter fish fry. We went to a fish fry here in Ct and it was breaded with crumbs and fried =( ---
**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 4, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229/100 "2011-08-04T00:18:47Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > I’ll be in Ithaca this weekend, and I believe Wegmans carries Zweigel’s. PM me if you need me to pick some up and can meet me somewhere at a Red Line T-stop for the drop. LOL mrAru and I hit my Mom’s outside Rochester basically once a month - I used to do beef on weck runs for my exbosses husband [wegmans sells a beef on weck platter, beef, weck, horseradish] Actually, i think I still have half a dozen weck in my freezer, I think I need to get some roast beef … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-foods-are-unique-to-your-area/591229.md?page=6)