# What Mainstream Food Item have You Never Tasted? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2018, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463 "2018-08-29T12:53:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/21 "2018-08-29T15:59:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A couple months ago I could have said this. Then, I began making sushi rolls and it turns out Spam Musubi is pretty fantastic. (Pan fry, then cool the slices of spam in a marinade of oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt and sugar) A friend of mine moved to Hawaii a couple years ago. He’s fascinated by the local Spam culture, but has not yet admitted to eating any. I’ve eaten and enjoyed “spiced ham,” a sandwich cold cut popular in my native Cleveland. I assume Spam is pretty much the same thing. I’m surprised at my fellow SD callow sophisticates’ aversion to seafood and organ meats. And here I was going to invite everyone over for cold marinated octopus and deviled kidneys! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/22 "2018-08-29T16:05:45Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I’m surprised at my fellow SD callow sophisticates’ aversion to seafood and organ meats. And here I was going to invite everyone over for cold marinated octopus and deviled kidneys! I love most seafood (not oysters) but I will not eat organ meat. To the OP, I can only come up with Big Mac. The very idea of a “special sauce” disgusts me. I assume these days I could order one without, but I never have. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/23 "2018-08-29T16:09:38Z")
I really can’t think of anything “mainstream.” I mean I’ve never tried sweetbreads or brain, but I hardly think anyone would label that as common food. I’ve probably tried just about everything that could be found in an average American diet. ---
**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 29, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/24 "2018-08-29T16:13:19Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I > To the OP, I can only come up with Big Mac. The very idea of a “special sauce” disgusts me. It’s just 1000 Island dressing (or near abouts.) If you abhor mayonnaise, you might not like it, but it’s just a mix of mayo, ketchup, and relish. And there’s probably literally thousands of stands that use some variation of “hamburger sauce” like this. That said, I’m not a Big Mac guy. Quarter Pounder with cheese all the way! ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/25 "2018-08-29T16:13:34Z")
I can’t really think of anything mainstream that I haven’t tried. Does soul food count as mainstream? Because I have never had pickled pigs feet, pickled eggs, or chitlins. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/26 "2018-08-29T16:17:30Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s just 1000 Island dressing (or near abouts.) If you abhor mayonnaise, you might not like it, but it’s just a mix of mayo, ketchup, and relish. And there’s probably literally thousands of stands that use some variation of “hamburger sauce” like this. If I were to make a list of the top 5 things I don’t like, mayo, ketchup and relish would all be on it. ---
**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 29, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/27 "2018-08-29T16:30:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > If I were to make a list of the top 5 things I don’t like, mayo, ketchup and relish would all be on it. Then, yes, definitely not for you! 🙂 ---
**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 29, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/28 "2018-08-29T16:31:43Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > I can’t really think of anything mainstream that I haven’t tried. > > Does soul food count as mainstream? Because I have never had pickled pigs feet, pickled eggs, or chitlins. Interesting. I don’t think I"d call any of those mainstream, but I’ve had them all. (Are pickled eggs soul food? I just thought that was what we white drunk people in the upper Midwest ate in bars when we ran out of things to eat.) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/29 "2018-08-29T16:44:15Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That said, I’m not a Big Mac guy. Quarter Pounder with cheese all the way! Yeah, I don’t see the logic in ordering a Big Mac, when you can get a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in the same place, for a similar price. And I still haven’t eaten Twinkies. Spaghettios, or any other canned pasta. Spam. Lunchables. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/30 "2018-08-29T16:55:08Z")
I’ve never had lobster. I like fish, but I don’t really care much for shrimp. Lobster looks more like a shrimp than a fish, so there. Plus it’s expensive in the midwest. I can die without ever trying it with no regrets. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/31 "2018-08-29T17:05:42Z")
I’ve never had coffee. I’ve accidentally had coffee flavored candy and ice cream but never tasted the drink. Or hot tea. Ice tea was an accident too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/32 "2018-08-29T17:05:42Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > I can’t really think of anything mainstream that I haven’t tried. > > Does soul food count as mainstream? Because I have never had pickled pigs feet, pickled eggs, or chitlins. That’s the thing. Mainstream is relative. I’m sure that “soul food” is mainstream in wide swaths of the US. And lobster was common where I grew up in New England but is probably less so in Iowa. ---
**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 29, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/33 "2018-08-29T17:11:49Z")
I’ll try most things at least once. The only mainstream food I would say no to is raw fish. I love fish but I don’t want it raw. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/34 "2018-08-29T17:13:21Z")
Chitlins. Although that wouldn’t be called mainstream in my neighborhood, No, Siree, Bob. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/35 "2018-08-29T17:14:49Z")
Coffee for me as well. I know the \*flavor \*of coffee from trying coffee ice cream and those coffee nips hard candies, but never coffee itself. The flavor is “meh” for me, and I generally don’t like any sort of hot drinks. Plus, I’ve got just about every other vice in the book, why add one more? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/36 "2018-08-29T17:18:50Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > …lobster was common where I grew up in New England but is probably less so in Iowa. Yeah, I’m noticing that the seafood-haters are mainly from landlocked states, where raw oysters and steamed clams and boiled lobster would be a luxury item. If you live on the coasts and grow up with them, they’re more “normal.” I assume all the Great Lakers are comfortable with sautéed walleye and fried perch, right? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/37 "2018-08-29T17:30:05Z")
I’ve never had American style hibachi / teppan-yaki, because I’m Japanese and I just can’t bring myself to go to one of those places. Other than that, I can’t think of anything. When I see an item on the menu I’ve never had before, I’d usually order it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/38 "2018-08-29T17:30:49Z")
Never had lamb nor any type of shellfish. I had to fry lamb patties once in a while in my dorm’s cafeteria. Damn greasy shit always wanted to spatter at me. Not as bad as deep frying liver- for that you drop the basket and duck. To me, lobsters and crabs look like giant insects. Shrimp look like insect larva, and oysters look like balls of snot. Can’t get past the visuals. ---
**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 29, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/39 "2018-08-29T17:34:03Z")
Now there are a few foods I _won’t_ eat, but that’s because I hate them, not because I’ve _never tried_ them. I remember that my father would often order Dover Sole when the family went to a decent restaurant. Can’t say I’ve ever ordered it myself, but I’m sure I tried some from his plate over the years. **TRC4941** ’s list looks like an average weekend menu around here. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463/40 "2018-08-29T17:36:15Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > My list is practically endless - That’s astounding! :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mainstream-food-item-have-you-never-tasted/820463.md?page=3)