# What redundant, inferior foods? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325 "2010-12-16T03:25:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/21 "2010-12-16T07:07:00Z")
Are there peole that defend red delicious apples? Really? Mealy crap. Almost any other variety of apple is more palatable, and granny smiths are the only kind of apple for baking. Seriously, what are you doing with the apples (other than perhaps using them as ornaments) that red delicious apples are superior? ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/22 "2010-12-16T07:11:56Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > My 2 nominations: American cheese and iceberg lettuce. I agree with iceberg, which is basically just crunchy water, but not American cheese. There is no better cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich or a cheeseburger. Do ingredients count? HFCS may not be as horrible for you as rumored, but it’s definitely the most ass-tasting of possible sweeteners. Cane sugar is much tastier. And really, _any_ added sweetener is redundant in anything which is already sweet (things made from fruit). ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/23 "2010-12-16T07:38:25Z")
Shallots are just underachieving onions. We can do without 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/24 "2010-12-16T07:40:23Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > What foods should never exist, since there are so many better alternatives? Interesting idea. Using your parameters, there would be nothing to eat but sushi, lobster and Tri-tip. Taking this to its logical conclusion, we would all drive Ferraris, live in Tahoe and sleep with my wife. Me first. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/25 "2010-12-16T07:47:46Z")
In the world of snack foods, there’s always these also-ran alternatives like Hydrox cookies (vs. Oreos), Lays “Stax” (vs. Pringles), the Little Debbie version of just about anything. They can be done away with. Except for Little Debbie Zebra Cakes. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/26 "2010-12-16T08:06:20Z")
I’m OK with all the other stuff, because without it, most kids in the U.S. would go hungry. (You try feeding a Gruyere sandwich on 7-grain bread to a kindergartner. No, really, try it. :)) What I would ban is high-fructose corn syrup. I’m sure most soft drink manufacturers would still turn a profit if they made their products with sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/27 "2010-12-16T10:19:54Z")
You’ll take my juicy crispy iceberg lettuces when you pry them from my cold, dead hands (grrrrr). What else am I going to use to wrap and dip my spring rolls with? Vile, bitter Rocket? (_shudder_) I guess I could make do with Cos if I _had_ to You can kill off American Cheese (whatever it is) and Red Dels any time you care to though. Fair? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/28 "2010-12-16T10:50:46Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > White rice. So what gets used in sushi? Accompanying teriyaki or tonkatsu? In Spam musubi? Thanks for telling a billion Asians their main staple is worthless! ---
**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:** [December 16, 2010, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/29 "2010-12-16T10:51:52Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Make one with rye bread, cheddar and smoked gouda sometime, and then ask yourself how you managed to make do with banal and depressing grilled cheese sandwiches your entire life. 😃 I have, but when you need a comfort food fix, it is wonder bread, kraft sliced american cheese and campbells cream of tomato soup. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/30 "2010-12-16T10:56:29Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > I’m OK with all the other stuff, because without it, most kids in the U.S. would go hungry. (You try feeding a Gruyere sandwich on 7-grain bread to a kindergartner. No, really, try it. :)) What I would ban is high-fructose corn syrup. I’m sure most soft drink manufacturers would still turn a profit if they made their products with sugar. I agree, there are very few real applications for HFCS other than perhaps candy making [it changes the hygroscopic properties of sugar so you get a much better textured product] I notice a difference in freaking BREAD of all damned things between european made and american made, american bread is almost sweet from the added sugars. > [@Aspidistra](#): > > You’ll take my juicy crispy iceberg lettuces when you pry them from my cold, dead hands (grrrrr). What else am I going to use to wrap and dip my spring rolls with? Vile, bitter Rocket? (_shudder_) > > I guess I could make do with Cos if I _had_ to > > You can kill off American Cheese (whatever it is) and Red Dels any time you care to though. Fair? How about boston butter lettuce? has a mild flavor, good sized leaves and an interesting slightly resiliant bite to it similar to spinach. And for that matter, how about trying to wrap in a large leaf of spinach? ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/31 "2010-12-16T11:33:27Z")
Spinach is floury. I enjoy it, in its place (cooked, with plenty of fetta cheese … mmmm) but it’s not a proper lettuce substitute. It’s not crispy or juicy. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/32 "2010-12-16T11:39:27Z")
How do you make Sang Choy Bow without Iceberg lettuce? And in Heston Blumenthal’s _In Search of Perfection_ his perfect steak and salad features a salad made with Iceberg lettuce. If it’s good enough for one of the world’s great chef’s… For me it’s stuff like brains. Who cares if they are any good? They seem disgusting and there is already a heap of good, meaty stuff to eat from any animal so why bother? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/33 "2010-12-16T11:45:08Z")
I’m another iceberg defender, but only heads of iceberg. The standard salad mix with iceberg and shredded purple cabbage and carrots is an abomination. For the classic wedge salad or the aforementioned uses on burgers or as wrappers, iceberg is without peer. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/34 "2010-12-16T12:39:59Z")
Liquid eggs in a carton. First time I saw this was in a Marriott breakfast room in Chicago and I was like 'Wha? How hard is it to crack an egg?!!" ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/35 "2010-12-16T12:43:34Z")
Hot peppers. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/36 "2010-12-16T13:00:32Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > I’m another iceberg defender, but only heads of iceberg. The standard salad mix with iceberg and shredded purple cabbage and carrots is an abomination. For the classic wedge salad or the aforementioned uses on burgers or as wrappers, iceberg is without peer. Indeed, The Wedge has been back for some time. From [Reef](http://www.reefhouston.com/documents/REEF_Dinner_Menu_Aug_09.pdf) (run by Bryan Caswell, who will _not_ be The Next Iron Chef, alas): > [@](#): > > “The Slice” Ice Berg Lettuce, Cabrales Cheese and Pancetta [Beaver’s Ice House](http://www.beavershouston.com/dinner.pdf) makes do with Bibb Lettuce: > [@](#): > > Bibb lettuce, tomato, & cucumber wedges, blue cheese, bacon, egg & Southern Star Pine Belt pale ale-blue cheese dressing. \*\*Warning: The links lead to menus that are (1) PDF files and (2) hunger inducing. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/37 "2010-12-16T13:13:32Z")
> [@movingfinger](#): > > Parsnips. Who needs 'em with carrots around? > > Why, yes, my mother fed us parsnips quite a lot when I was a kid. Why do you ask? You’ll have to pull the parsnips outta my cold, dead hands. Parsnips share only a shape with carrots; they have a much more complex flavor and do many, many things that carrots do not. > [@antonio107](#): > > Shallots are just underachieving onions. We can do without 'em. Another one I’ll never let go. Sometimes you just don’t want everything to scream of onion, and shallots are a nice alternative. * * * What I’d give up are all the fruits and vegetables bred for ease of shipping instead of taste. Hard, tasteless tomatoes. Peaches that are mealy and bland. Apples - not just Red Delicious! - that taste like slightly sweetened water. It’s no wonder people turned to canned and processed everything, when the real stuff became tasteless. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/38 "2010-12-16T15:01:41Z")
Canned peas. There’s absolutely no reason for canned peas. They’re mushy, they’re disgusting, they’re in every way inferior to fresh or frozen. Just say no to canned peas! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/39 "2010-12-16T15:50:15Z")
Another snack food item: “Funyuns” or any other fake baked onion ring thingies. _Real_ O-rings are battered (preferrably with a beer-based coating) and deep fried. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325/40 "2010-12-16T15:54:31Z")
I love parsnips. They’re quite expensive here, only a handful laid out in the produce section. I say carrots. I like shaved carrot on salads, but cooked carrots are vomitous. They take up space in frozen vegetable mixes and I tend to pick them out and push them to the side. Those awful, no-name, cheap, gluey pies sold for a couple bucks at holiday time. Convenient for filling up stomaches of 12 year olds at dessert time, I suppose, and making a real pie is a lot of work. But still, there’s always a sad blueberry pie left over with one slice out of it, sits there on the counter until trash day… Let me add generic hot dogs. A proper hot dog in a snappy casing is good eats, but no one over the age of 10 should have to eat turkey/chicken/no-name weiners. They’re OK in corn dogs, though, a nice low-rent nosh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-redundant-inferior-foods/564325.md?page=3)