 [Editor's note: We ran this post a while back, but because so many people are traveling for Thanksgiving, we wanted to share the great advice in the comments below and ask you to shout out more of your hometown favorites.] One of Eatocracy's most favored Canadians, CNN anchor Ali Velshi dropped by a while back to film an installment of 5@5 Live. Our managing editor gifted Mr. Velshi with the signature dish of her homeland - a can of Skyline Chili Spaghetti, in the hopes that it would sway him to accept her offer of a position as Eatocracy's official Spokesanchor/Taste Tester (he has since been named our Senior Junk Food Correspondent). He, in return, waxed rhapsodic about poutine - a meld of fries, cheese curd, gravy, and, according to him, a soupcon of rancidity from infrequently changed fryer oil. What hometown food do you crave like crazy? Spill it in the comments below or share your favorite local eateries at iReport |
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For me it's a slaw dog from the soda fountain in the New Graham Pharmacy in Bluefield, Virginia. And my dad's homemade apple butter!
The only thing that must happen in my food life when I go home is eat my father's cooking... Which always seems to include Clam Sauce baked Salmon! It's freaking amazing, I dream about it! LOL!
I must have a cheeseteak and an Italian hoagie when I go home to Philadelphia. I bring a cooler so I can bring a few home for the next day. I have to put the cooler in the trunk of the car, otherwise they will be devoured before I reach the Delaware border!
Buffalo, NY – Ted's hotdogs and Schwabel's for their beef on 'weck! OH, and Genesee Cream Ale. Never really cared that much for wings (especially the ones from the Anchor Bar). Also have to cross the Peace Bridge into Fort Erie to get FABULOUS fish and chips at the Parkside.
Skyline & GoldStar in Cinci, The Hero House in Wooster, Wing-It and Sandy's in Jax, Pollock Johnny's in Baltimore – steamed MD crabs anywhere (sobbing)
Aside from the halibut, this meat place makes the best smoked turkeys and a jalapeno cheese dip to die for.
echolakemeats.com
Order some today!
You will be disappoint!
Fail.
*You will NOT be disappoint!
How ya been MC!?!
Who u iz?
Whenever I'm on the Kenai I always stop in Soldotna for a pint of Farmer's Friend at St. Elias, a Bossio at Jersey Subs, and some jalapeno cheese spread from Echo Lake (oh, and a slice of pizza from Fat Olive's in Homer).
Even though it's recycled, I still feel loved.
As well you ought.
If and when i return for a visit at my hometown, I make an effort to stop at Duke's Drive In for the have the best Italian beef sandwiches around next to Portillo's and Carm's in Hillside. That is my favorite sandwich in the whole world and I do miss it alot. When I get tired of people here claiming they have Italian beef sandwiches, I get a big let down because they are awful. It has been 6 years for me and I couldn't take it anymore and I had gone to a Portillo's in Crystal Lake and I felt like I died and gone to heaven. I will have to go there now more often since I just discovered how close it is to where I live now
I've moved around so much I don't have a set 'home town' but what i do want everytime I go home to my parents house is ANYTHING my mother cooks. she's an amazing cook and I make requests weeks ahead of time when I know I'm going home.
Cambiotti's Tomato Pie in Landing, NJ has the BEST pizza- no mozzarella, a very thin crust and an unusual tomato sauce. I'm from northern NJ so it's hard to pick a favorite!
Warren, Ohio: Briar Hill-style pizza from Sunrise Inn. Briar Hill pizza is made with thick crust, rich (NOT SWEET) red sauce with roasted bell peppers cooked right in, and romano instead of mozzarella cheese. I know that most people would find a pie with no gooey mozzarella sacrilege, but the sharp, salty romano is a taste like no other. I live less than two hours away from my hometown, but that kind of pizza still doesn't exist here.
Green Chile Cheeseburger using a fresh roasted NuMex green. If I've been away from home (Santa Fe) any length of time, I crave one. My preference is for Swiss cheese, the burger medium rare and add some sauteed mushrooms to mine, plus lettuce and tomato of course. Also am gaga over a really nice Carne Adovada w/ a little sour cream on the side....and some fresh-made guac at Gabriel's in Pojoaque!
Double Double, animal style, with animal style fries.
When I get back to Ann Arbor, MI, it's breakfast at Angelos, lunch at Zimmerman's and dinner (with beer) at Grizzly Peak. Then the entire next day on the treadmill.
NE OH: Sky-Hi burger & onion rings from Sky-Way (Swenson's is for posers). Fried chicken from Village Inn or Hopocan Gardens. Frozen custard from Strickland's (not the best in the world, but it's a tradition).
Fresh, squeaky cheese curds from Wisconsin farms. Two friends of mine from grad school, both Southern boys, played a gig with me in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, and they balked at trying anything with Curd in its name.
They were converts after the first bite.
Also, Leon's Custard in Milwaukee, as featured on Happy Days. It could be 20 below with a foot of snow (which is never out of the question), and there would still be a line at Leon's.
When I go home to visit my mother, this native South Jersey girl absolutely MUST have: Scotto's pizza (or anything similar), a cheesesteak with fried onions, and an Italian hoagie with sweet or hot peppers (preferably Nardi's). Bonus points for a panzarotti. If I'm in town for the weekend, I must have at least one of those choices a day. If longer, I spread them out over the period of time while happily settling for Mom's homecooked meals the rest of the time. Where I'm from, I find it totally astounding that The Olive Garden, Quizno's and Subway make any money.
Several people have mentioned the terrific wings we have in upstate NY, but no one has mentioned our lesser-known specialty–speidies! A speidi was originally a highly seasoned pork or lamb shish kabob grilled and served on a slice of Italian bread. These days chicken is popular, but I have had versions made with beef, tofu, veggies, venison,and game birds, as well. Lupo's Char-Pit in Endicott was one of the original places to get them, but now most markets, pubs, and restaurants have them, and they are available as subs, sandwiches, and salads, too. Binghamton even has a weekend long speidi festival each year. I lived in North Carolina for many years before recently moving back, and Salamida's State Fair speidi marinade was available in some grocery stores, which was an ok substitute but not as good as the real thing.
When I go home to Iowa, it's straight to "Happy Joe's Pizza"! Awesome specialty pizza's. A trip to "Maid Rite" is a must and a definite stop at "Betty Jane's Candy"!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!
Jackson, Ms – Smokes – Big Apple Inn......
when I go back to Pittsburgh I have to go to Permanntti Bros.
I crave good Tex Mex– it is unheard of in SC- but whenever I go home to Houston, I am ALL over some Chuy's, Los Cucos, and this little chain in The Woodlands called Rico's. Mmmm LOVE IT ALL! Also, it's a necessity to hit up Wings n More in The Woodlands or College Station, Texas......Gotta get back to Texas soon!
Central Illinois: Maid-Rites, Horseshoes and Monical's pizza!
CRAB CAKE from Seaside Restaurant, Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Hometown favorite..two favorites known mainly to University of North Dakota Alums a grinder from the Red Pepper, (soft sub bread, ham, turkey, salami, provolone and taco meat heated up with special red pepper sauce). Follow that up with Chippers from Widmans Candy Store, (chocolate covered rippled potato chips, salty and sweet!) to satisfy that chocolate craving later that night! Widmans even survived the great flood sitting next to the river, proof that even God cares about good chocolate!
I live in Wi now so I am a cheese curd pusher. Fresh and squeaky the first day and then batter and fry 'em up the next. I always take guests to a local cheese makers shop, no matter where people are from they are amazed at the selection.
Buckeyes – the chocolate covered peanut butter candy. If you need a hostess gift, if you're going to an interview, (out of state, of course. In state would be gauche.) If you need that perfect "remember me" gift, go with Buckeyes. Who doesn't love PB and chocolate?
Anything (biscuits, sausage gravy, hashbrown casserole, fried chicken) from the Loveless Cafe in Nashville. Heaven on a plate.
Lobster roll from the Lobster Shack @ Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth ME.
A large, double Italian sandwich from Amato's. YUM!
I cannot believe that you mentioned Amatos, we actaully buy the bread and pickles while we are there and have been known to eat Sandwiches for lunch and dinner, I have been living in "Grinder Hell" for many years now and look for ANY excuse to head back up to Scarborough or Saco (South Portland and Portland locations suk)My Husband is addicted to their Chicken Parm sandwhiches and yes we buy the jars of sauce there!
I am so craving those pickles right now.
In the Pittsburgh PA Strip District: Primante Brothers' sandwiches – meat (kolbasa in my case), fries, cole slaw, tomatoes, onions. HEAVEN.
Skyliiiiine! Ahhhhhh, I miss you.
When I moved to Florida, I assumed that fried pork tenderloin sandwiches were a southern food, it turned out that they were not, I had to learn how to make them, which actually wasn't hard to do.
I make it a point to get some authentic mexican food whenever I'm in LA... and some Pink's...
A Fried shrimp po-boy from Tag's Meat Market or Coffee Talk Cafe in Chalmette, Louisiana!!! Or the Veal and Mac and cheese with Red gravy at Rocky's!
well, where to begin.........when i go home to NOLA i start with a shrimp po-boy, dressed of course, from "danny and clydes", then off to cafe dumonde for coffee and begniets, then to coops on decatur for whatever i feel like on the menu, it's all wonderful.
now, when i get back "home" to tucson, first is guero canelo for sonoran hotdogs, then to the taco shop co. for the most amazing mexican fast food, better than most sit down joints. i'll have a sandwich at either bumsteads, best sweet potato fries you'll ever have, or bison witches.
both cities have far too many great local foods to mention.
In Los Angeles, the madeleine moment for me happens in a few Jewish delis. But since I stopped eating meat years ago, I go into those places now only for the bakery items. Hamantasch, rugelach, babka.....
Whenever I go back to Ruston, LA, I HAVE to have some Southern Classic Chicken! OMG that stuff is crazy! Pick up some Blue Bell ice cream for later, homestyle vanilla or even better the cookies and cream....yum
Bryant's BBQ Pork sandwich with fries and a big diet Coke.
Pigs taste good especially with sauce!
That's in Kansas City MO by the way...
Anytime I am back in Schaumburg, IL I have to stop by Deerfields bakery for their hockey puck donuts. So fresh and rich ingredients best donuts I've ever had !
A cheeseburger and fries with tarter sauce, and apple pie with cinnamon sauce from the Burgermaster in the University Village, Seattle, Washington. Started going there in high school 1962, and still go there every time i visit Seattle, 5 to 6 times a year
I became addicted to Coffee Crisp when I lived in Canada. Now we buy a dozen bars or so when we go to visit family, and I ration them jealously. Here in the US I have disdain for all but the best dark chocolate, but there's something about that combination of wafer, milk chocolate and faint hit of coffee that draws me back.
I think they must put crack in it or something. There's no way it could be so addictive otherwise. lol
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM COFFEE CRISP!!!!!
Definitely have to eat lobstah and lobstah rolls in Maine, New Hampshire coast.
Also Philly Cheese steaks in Philly, New York-Style Pizza in NY, and Tex-Mex & Texan BBQ in Texas.
Vesecky's Kolacky in Chigagoland
Pralines from Savannah, GA!...I don't eat them unless they are from River Street in Savannah (sooo good!)
Mid-Coast Maine: Lobstah and steamahs! theres no place better than Muscongus Bay Lobster Co. in Round Pond ME
my family has been going there for years, and every year is better than the last for awesome lobsters that are decently priced, the true authentic Maine experience that the tourists (thankfully) miss out on
I'm originally from Miami, but moved to the southwest about 7 years ago. Whenever I go back to visit, I want either stone crabs (when in season) or authentic Cuban food. We've tried finding both out here, but it's just not the same.
In Columbus-White Castle burgers and onion chips. Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
Detroit...gotta have coney dogs from Lafayette Coney Island. The best! Love the crunch of the hot dog and that chili cannot be found anywhere else! Outstanding! Also, the marinated,grilled lamb chops at Pegasus in Greektown!
Any meat and three in Nashville Tn, Rotier's or Sylvan Park would be fine with me.
Why woulld some idiot post krusty kreme. They are everywhere, read the article !!!
In Minnesota- wild rice ANYTHING!
Wild rice brats or chicken wild rice soup
also famous bacon from Theilen's in Little Falls, MN
in Ca. now so not much but still remember the beach (sand-pit) cooked halibut in Alaska and of course crab legs. When ever visit family in Maine, any little shack on the side of the road with a 55 gallon BBQ for full lobster meals and steamed clams. MMMM I guess San Diego does have some decent mexican food, but still not as good as what you get in mexico
"Minnesota Chow Mein." More like a celery stew – and I've almost figured it out. Many "Chinese" restaurants in Minneapolis were Jewish-owned, when I grew up; a GREAT thing!!
I visit 1-2 times/year, and eat the Chow Mein about 3 times. Still trying to bribe the owner of my favorite place, for the recipe. I was weaned on this – and dry-popped, buttered popcorn in cold milk!
Louisville KY: Ollie Burgers and Ollie Fries from Ollie's Trolley in the bad part of downtown.
Mel's Hot Dogs in Tampa, FL (the owner is from Chicago and he uses the poppyseed hot dog rolls – discovered this place when I was attending USF for graduate school)
Red, Hot, and Blue in Arlington, VA (great pulled pork sandwiches – one of my good friends had them cater her backyard wedding – Yum!)
Bob and Edith's diner in Arlington, VA (great pecan waffles and the only place in the area that serves scrapple)
Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, OH (chili on spagetti? What's not to like?)
Zachary's Pizza in Berkeley, CA (it takes 30 minutes to make your pizza – and they tell you so beforehand – but OMG it is worth the wait!)
A LARGE homemade cinnamon roll from Oram's donuts in downtown Beaver Falls. These things are as big as dinner plates and worth the trip home. Not to mention all the great food in western PA:P
Dont forget The BEST Chili Cheesburgers in the world at The Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe and also The Steak Salad at Jerrys Curb Service. YUM
sausage gravy and bisquits @ moms kitchen
In my home state of North Carolina, it's fried okra, eastern NC barbecue, fried chicken from Mama Dip's in Chapel Hill, and biscuits and gravy. When I am in Canada with my better half's family, it's poutine and a double-double from Tim Horton's. And when I'm at my home-away-from-home in Geneva, Switzerland, it's filets de perche meuniere and fondue (fromage ou chinoise). Okay, gotta go eat now.
I'm from MN originally, but am amazed at the lack of mention for Duke's mayo and grilled pimento cheese sandwiches from you original NCarolinians! Oh, and liver mush. (Ick!)
Nuthin like an authentic made Chicago style dog. Not made the same anywhere else ! And for all you idiots out there...KETCHUP DOES NOT BELONG ON A HOTDOG.
you have obviously never had a sonoran hotdog. nothing even comes close.
and by the way, i love ketchup on my hotdogs, always have always will.
The blueberry buckwheat pancake sandwich at Alfalfa restaurant in Lexington Ky.
The fried hot banana peppers at Ramsey's in Lexington Ky are tasty. They also make a mean hot brown. They have a five berry pie that will make you cry. It's so good.
Tabasco cheesecake at Mama Roux's. Oh, my! it rocks.
I am not from Dallas but go there at least once a year. Until last spring I had to have Sonic. San Diego did not have one. So I was obsessed with going to Sonic. I went at least once every other day for 2 weeks and had ti have the Foot long. There other item is BBQ. That is still a must when I go in Nov. San Diego does not have GOOD BBQ. So iam over Sonic but will be looking for the Q. Just for informarton purposes Detroit is my hometown
Jean, hit up Phil's BBQ here in San Diego- it's AWESOME!!!
A Hot Brown. A Louisville Ky favorite.
Krispy Kreme Donuts - nice and hot!
Lincoln NE, Runzas best thing evermade, ground beef browned w/cabage & spices stuffed into homemade yeastbread, the best thing ever!
Jenny gave me some crabs one time when I came home...
Southern Maryland blue crab cakes, covered in Old bay.
A philadelphia Cheesteak from Tony's Bar in Collingdale!
Pork BBQ sandwich from Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City, MO. Not the one at the Casino on the river, has to be the one downtown in the original location!
In Memoriam: the best "after-the-bars-close" food in Boston was Buzzy's roast Beef sandwich, just outside the walls of the Charles Street Jail (Suffolk County Jail)
And, the best ribs in Chicago at Twin Anchors Bar
Migas for breakfast @Cisco's bakery in Austin. This is the real breafast of champions!
Mexico, MO : Homemade fried chicken, homemade mashed potatos, and some good fresh greens! I love my southern family's cooking!
I make sure I eat Jenny when I go back to Greenbow Alabama !!!!
I grew up in a small town in Iowa loaded with Dutchmen – Ever had a rusk bun with butter and sugar? And the Dutch letters/almond patties? And don't forget the real "pigs in a blanket" of homemade sausage wrapped in pie crust. Mmm.
In Lincoln, NE, there's a place called The Coffee House (that's the name, yes) that has a wonderful granita. I haven't found the equivalent anywhere else, and I crave them more often than I should. Slushy and creamy and coffee-e and sweet, just delicious.
From Lincoln? What about Runzas. I know they give you the runzas but they are good!
I am, alas, a vegetarian (not vegan!), so Runzas were never on my menu. However, I totally miss Amigos, which for those who don't know, is like Taco Bell, only with much better food. Amigos tots...mmmmm....I also love Valentino's, esp. their macaroni salad. Best macaroni salad I've ever had. (For those of you who cringe when you read Valentino's, be aware that Lincoln is their home, and the food there is vastly different/better than the franchises you're probably acquainted with.) Oh, and Grisanti's. Their tomato tortellini soup, and their garlic butter-soaked Itallian bread. *groan* To die for.
Now see what you did? You made me hungry! And I'm 4 hours away from Lincoln! *wail*
Ah, yes. In Lincoln, Nebraska Runzas are served in Memorial Stadium for Husker football games as well as many Runza restaurant locations. They are Baked rolss stuffed with beef, cabbage and spices and are quite delicious.
I meant rolls, not rolss!
Hamburger wagon, Miamisburg, Ohio. And there used to be Dominic's in Dayton, but now it's gone. Someon' was trying to use the old recipes, but got an injunction – there should be a petition to demand Dominic's salad be available to all!
Wisconsin Cheese Curds and they must be squeaky!!!
Ada, Oklahoma...gotta have a Folgers burger and basket of fries as soon as I get to town. 7hrs in the car is sooooo worth it!!
Funny how Buffalo and Rochester are only 50 miles apart and have totally separate faves.
Buffalo: Ted's Hot Dogs (extra hot sauce, plus rings please)
Bocce Club Pizza for me (I'm a northtown guy)
Schwabl's for Beef on Weck
Duffs for wings (hey Anchor bar invented them, Duff's perfected them)
Anderson's for a large Chocolate soft in a sugar cone
and finally... Mighty Taco for fast food Mexican style kicks b*tt over the national chains.
when I visit Houston, the FIRST thing I want it Pappasito's fajitas or Chuy's creamy jalapeno dip!
Ivar's clam chowder in Seattle!
Where my fellow Californians at? Sheesh! Guess I'll have to represent.
When I'm not here I miss the abundance of fresh greens and produce we have access to all year long. I can never find produce half as fresh or tasty as what I get every day at home.
I was born in Hawaii and whenever I go home I eat at Zippy's and Diner's (mahi mahi sandwich anyone? saimen?). I am also a huge fan of Leonard's malasadas, esp the lilikoi ones. YUMMMMM. Can't forget laulau, kalua pig, and of course POKE.
Now I'm homesick....
A Nation's burger in the SF Bay area
Cuban sandwich specifically but any Cuban food in general when I'm in Miami. Living in Alaska, there is virtually no latin food of any variety except "mexican" slop.
The only place for a cubano that I know of in Alaska (other than my house) is Tropical Latin Food on Boniface just off the Glenn in Anchorage.
Mother's for breakfast in New Orleans. The grits melt. A Ham steak to perfection. All washed down with a cup of hot cafe aulait. If I'm in New Orleans, top of list by mile!
with all due respect, there are far too many places to mention in New Orleans for great local food.
Salt Lake City – Crown Burger (quarter pound hamburger patty. quarter pound of hot pastrami with Thousand Island dressing, Lettuce, Tomato, and Onions, Cheese), and Fries with Fry Sauce – not ketchup, but Fry Sauce. ( 1 part ketchup, 2 parts mayo)
Voted as one of the top sandwiches in the country. you gotta eat a Momma's Love from Momma Goldberg's in Auburn, Alabama!!
NEW MEXICO – FRESH GREEN CHILE!!!!!
Si, como noi!!! Especially a green chile cheeseburger at the Owl!
Didnt see poutine here,,,, mmmmmm poutineghislain
A "Philly feast" of hoagies and cheesesteaks is a fixture of every visit bto the parents.
Whenever I head back to Georgia I have to have boiled peanuts (salty or cajun) and Chic-fil-A!
you can have chick-fil-a anywhere though. we've got several of them in tucson, az.
Yuengling! LOL
National Coney Island greek salads and Vernors in metro-detroit (east side).
Cabbage rolls from sokolowski's in cleveland....hot dog from johnnys at the west side market....skyline chili....Mr. hero romanburger....cleats chicken wings.
kazak plov or kazak manty are the best !!!!!
Sumter, SC - pork BBQ with rice and hash from the BBQ Hut
Ah - the minute I land at Moisant Airport, I can't wait to see the "Welcome to New Orleans" sign ... and then .. A po-boy on Zip's french bread, baybee!! Hand it over NOW! :)
If you're ever in Toledo you should try Tony Packo's. Their chili mack is wonderful!
When I get a chance to visit Pittsburgh, there's nothing else but a Primanti Bros. sandwich.... it's loaded with lots of bad things, but it sure tastes great. Meat, fried, cole slaw all on italian bread. Can't beat it.
ED: Primante Bros. ROCKS! But ONLY the original in the Strip. Great after a late night out at the jazz clubs!
Primanti Bros., Quaker Steak and Lube, and Yuengling beer!
Right on Andy..... nothing better.
I find it amusing when people say they "must" have pizza from a place that is anywhere but NYC or Chicago. Clearly, you have no idea what you are talking about if you are bragging about a pizza place in east bumf*ck tennesee or wherever.
Were you born an insufferable snob, or did you grow into it? You'd be amazed at what the hinterlands offer if you look beyond your own neighborhood.
What makes you think that there are not any NY or Chicago transplants in TN making terrific NY and Chicago style pizza? Ya think everyone who lives in TN was BORN there? Sheesh!!
I love Chicago-style hot dogs! At first, I looked at one and said 'No way!' but after biting into one, I was hooked! It has to be Vienna beef and it has to have tomatoes - no ketchup!
Whenever I get back to Baltimore, it's freshly steamed blue crabs smothered in Old Bay served on a newspaper-covered table in the summer or raw oysters on the half-shell in the winter. Wash both down with lots of National Bo beer.
Yes, hon! Nothing better!
Lou Malnati's deep-dish pizza in Chicago!!
A shrimp po'boy from Food Etc. in Abbeville, LA, Jerk fried rice and jade red chicken at Chino Bandido in Phoenix, AZ
My hometown is Chicago so I have to have deep dish pizza. But not just any deep dish pizza. There's a small take-out/delivery only place in my neighborhood that does deep dish better than anyone.
Its name, please? We would appreciate it, and I'm sure they could use the plug.
yes, us native chicagoans need to know the name of this divine pizza.
tell us! inquiring minds and excited tastebuds want to know!!
this is the best blog I've ever read. I'm going to each state and try everything written. I'm starving for steamas and beah from Boston and Maine lobsta. Real cannolis from the North End.
Amen to that, Judie - I want to try every place I've read about - even the things that mystify me!
Native Detroiter. Escaped years ago, but I've ordered Faygo's Root Beer over the internet recently. Fab!! Used to get Saunder's Hot Fudge from now deceased mom-in-law. Ultra-good!! White Castle sliders still terrible!!
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas with an over-easy egg on top!!!!!! Chile Rellenos are great too :)
I MISS CRAB CAKES (Maryland native).... but breakfast burritos with green chili are now my addiction as a new Denver resident.
Dicarlo's Pizza in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wings and Things in Morgantown, West Virginia
Westside Deli Ham Pan Pizza in Mason, MI. I miss it so!
MONTREAL CANADA poutine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Originally from Baltimore – it is impossible to visit without eating crabcakes – or steamed crabs. In Richmond, VA, Yen Ching (Chinese) on Hull Street – best shredded beef I've ever eaten. In Bayamon, PR – Los Gorditos mofongo con carne frita – wow. Tulsa, OK (where I live now) – White River Fish Market, great fried clams!
i refuse to eat seafood if its more then 50 miles from an ocean. i wouldnt touch it if i was in the midwest, esp OK. The bbq however, i would be all over.
Krystal burghers, onion, pickle, mustard, the basic Krystal. How something so simple and unspectacular can be so satisfying I have no idea. I get mine in Jackson, MS, usually by the sack.
Navajo Tacos- Farmington NM. Indescribable!
Mexican hot dogs from any corner hot dog stand in Tucson, AZ – super yummy! Hot dogs wrapped in bacon, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese, mayonnaise and a chili pepper on top! A – W – E – S – O – M – E!!!!
Crogan Bologna from the Crogan Meat Market, Crogan N.Y.
Mmm Croghan Bologna and fresh cheese curd from the Cheese store in Lowville!
Yes.., in Butte, Montana, 'not' having one of their favorite food dishes would be somehat crazy. Allan Richman on the Travel Channel or 'Man vs. Food' could tell you that about Butte, Montana. The three (3) specialties would be in Butte, Montana are.., #1) Famous pasty with rich brown gravy and cole slaw.. #2) Famous also, their Pork Chop John's sandwich, its an original. #3) The five (5) pound Calzone, called Stromboli, with red or while sauce inside. Ask Allan Richman of 'Man vs. Food' about those three dishes. The original 'pasty' was and still is a mainstay or stable for miners to take down into the mine as for lunch or dinner, pertaining to their shift. They would light a candle under their lunch box with the 'pasty' inside and have a fairly warm to almost hot meal. The candle was also used as a safety factor for oxygen in the mine shaft. People come from around the world for these three food dishes and the history of Butte, Montana.
Minnesota: Potato pancakes- YUM
Spaghetti from Jim's Steak & Spaghetti House in Huntington, WV. A "Must Have" when we go home to the tri-state. Also, Shake Shoppe hotdog all- the- way with an extra thick strawberry milkshake, and Pizza Bread sandwich from Giovanni's Pizza. Both in Ironton/Coal Grove, OH. YUM YUM. Can't get food like that where I live now!
Idaho Springs, Colorado and Beau-Jo's Mountain Pies. Perfect esp after a day of skiing.
I second that... with honey!
Wichita falls, TX. Gotta have bbq from the branding iron, ribeye steak sandwich from the golf coarse, the carnivore pizza from the spot, a burrito from sevis, and anything fried from parkway grill.
Oh yeah! The Branding Iron. Four of us are driving up from D/FW area just to go there! YUMMMMMY
Deep fried cheese curds from my home state.
Im originally from Boston and as soon as im off the plane, im getting a Coffee Coolada from Dunkin Donuts (there are VERY FEW Dunkins here in Ft Worth TX, and the ones that are here manage to screw it up). And then to the North End for some Italian food. then next day is usually spent gorging myself on seafood some where near the warf. I miss it SO much!
Two words: Disco fries.
French fries, gravy, melted mozzarella. All Jersey.
YESSSSSSSSSS!!! Disco fries are a must-have at any diner when I'm home in Jerz. MMmmmmmmmmmm!
When in Cincinnati ..................Skyline, absolutely!! ....also Pizza from LaRosa's, Ice Cream from Graeter's, .......... and finally Mom's Goetta!! Luv ya Mom!
I'm from Pennsylvania, I always stock up Martin's kettle cooked potato chips, sweet bologna, and Amish sugar cakes when I visit oh, and whoopie pies!
It's too funny that this story popped up today. I just got back from a long weekend in Chicago (my hometown) to visit family....and EAT!!! Russell's BBQ, the original at Thatcher & North Ave, original beef sandwich (dinner friday night and lunch again on Sunday – woohoo!) is the greatest. Oh, and let's not forget Villa Nova pizza, Pershing (39th) & S. Grove in Stickney. Their flat crust is cracker thin...amazing. Can't wait for my next trip home.
Aaagh! I LOVE Russell's Barbecue!!! I currently have four bottles of their barbecue sauce at my place in Virginia!
And don't forget Portillo's – I'm on cloud nine just thinking about their Italian beef sandwiches!
Villa Nova's pizza is totally off the chain!
Americans and food...
Everyone has food they love and miss when they can't get it. My wife always misses restaurants and foods from her home country.
oh man. Any food in New Orleans. But I'm not from there. The oysters, po boys, crawfish. Im so hungry just thinking about it.
oysters rockefeller and the awesome potato skins at Gale Street Inn in Chicago, the best egg rolls at Kow Kow in Lincolnwood, and a various farmer's markets in the summer, a delightful St. Andre triple cream brie split and filled with Almonds and Apricot jam.....from the Cheese People!!
I live in the upstate of SC – have to say pulled pork bbq with the mustard base sauce is a must have anytime you visit SC. Any time you are on the coast go for the shrimp n' grits. I can't get enough! I think I will have to make a trip to Charleston just thinking about it!
Words cannot describe a Frankie's "Famous Frankie" hot dog from Waterbury, CT! Get it with the hot pepper relish – nothing more – and prepare yourself for the way a 'dog SHOULD be!
Pizza Pit pizza, Madison, Wisconsin!
Shrimp Po-boys! Man they're so good! And, of course, boiled crawfish when they're in season.
mambazha kalan....A side dish made of mango pulp, turmeric, yoghurt, mustard and chillies.
Huevos Rancheros, green, at Little Anita's in Albuquerque. My hometown of Sioux Falls, SD? I'm stumped...
Loveless Cafe biscuits in Nashville. So delicious I'd drive 8 hours just for lunch there. They are the best damn biscuit in the South.
In New Orleans I have to say every time I venture there I devour as many begients as possible. Those things are to die for!
I'm also a sucker for most restaurants in Charleston. No one does fried chicken like Jestine's or She Crab Soup like they do. MmmmmMmmMmMmm
OMG, went to college in Charleston, I swear the best food I have ever had! Justines, Rue de Jean, Basil Thai, Hanks, Magnolia...But especially the bookstore cafe!
Jestin's is great, Coca Cola cake!
MILWAUKEE: The pizza from Mama Mia's Resturant and the unique Wisconsin ice cream referred to as 'Custard'. I live in Australia and just writing about those two things could cause me to catch a plane home.
Swedish pancakes with lingonberry sauce and a side of swedish meatballs at the Al Johnson's Restaurant in Sister Bay Wisconsin!
I love Al Johnson's Sister Bay! Swedish food great. Have also been to White Gull Inn for the fish boils. Russ was there to supervise and play the music..........wonderful memories!
oh, yes, i love the White Gull Inn....I too have fond memories of the Fish Boils there.................and you can't beat their breakfasts!! How about the Seafood Chowder or, better yet, Smilin' Bob's Chili at the Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek?
Weird.........but awesomely addicting stuff!
Wings for the Endzone Bar in Grill– Kulpmont, PA & going back for the Bloomsburg Fair for great food this weekend
One more place that you have to go to that surprisingly is not Italian is McGurk's in Soulard. It's an Irish Pub with Live Irish music. Their food is amazing and it was voted one of the top 10 bars in America!
HUD's in Amarillo, TX. Great burgers but I really crave the fried mushrooms, fried okra, and fried jalapenos! Great Limeades too!
I'm from upstate NY but travel to Montreal each June / July for the jazz festival. I can tell you that poutine (pronounced poo-tin) is some amazing stuff. I make it at home now, with the St Hubert's gravy mix.
I live in NYC and if I ever moved, I would HAVE to go back to pizza and bagels. You just cannot find them anywhere else. oh, and New York Deli's. Im actually not sure how people live with what passes for a deli/deli sandwich in most places in this country!
Sadly, we have to deal with it. Haven't had a good bagel since NYC. Fortunately for me, though, I can find excellent pizza in Chicago.
Beecher's mac and cheese out of Seattle... most heavenly
Or Pals in Northeast TN... different world, but what I would not give for cheesy rounds right now.
In St. Louis, there are just a few things you have to try: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Imo's Pizza, Cusanelli's on the Hill, Some of our local traditional foods include Toasted Ravioli, and Mostaccioli!
Richmond VA- Bottom's Up Pizza. It's a Meal in one slice of Amazingness.
Hoagies from Captain Ken's in Penetanguishene, Ontario!!!
Square foot cinnamon rolls at Whistle Stop Cafe on Hwy 55 in Idaho.
I crave Skyline , White castles, Goeta, aHamilton Metts and Brawtwurst (the gray colored ones)
Lima, Ohio has the best hometown burgers if you ever have the chance you must have a Kewpee burger! Yummmm!
Liliha bakery's cocoa puff. They're cream puffs filled with a chocolate cream and chantilly on the top. And my mom's spaghetti, I've never had spaghetti like her's. The sauce is hardy with a salty and sweet combination.
http://akindafoodblog.wordpress.com/
The only reason anyone who left Irvington NJ ever went back was to get a Jimmy Buff's Italian hot dog.
I will admit that when I travelled to the Soviet Union in 1990 on a high school trip, we all really enjoyed going to McDonald's in Moscow – mostly because the meals we were getting at our hotels were dreadful.
CHS band??? No way.
Lou Malanotis for pizza in Chicago
Allen & Son's pulled pork BBQ in Hillsborough, NC with an authentic sweet tea (though I am sure some from Durham will argue Bullock's)
I'm from CT and when I'm back home I always hit Pepe's Pizza in New Haven. White clam pizza = amazing! I live in Texas now and there is just not a decent pizza to be found around here.
I totally agree about pizza and my part of Texas. I've tried repeatedly to get something that even resembles what I was used to, but no luck. Of course, I haven't been all over Texas yet. LOL
Giordano's pizza – always, always, always the first meal I have in Chicago!
Second that, but we just "discovered" Vito and Nick's. Wow! All we do in Chicago is eat pizza!
In Indiana, you HAVE to have a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, topped with yellow mustard and dill pickle only. That's the ONLY way to eat a real "tennerline"!
My boyfriend is from Bloomington and we saw an episode of man v. food showing a breaded tenderloin sandwich. Next time we go up he is making me order one. Looks good.
My mother's pork tenderloins were the best. I'm originally from Jasper, IN but now live in Texas where you can't even find the right kind of pork tenderloin.
Springfield Illinois must have a hamburger HORSESHOE
ABSOLUTELY!!! Can't miss Springfield's horseshoes and the servings get larger every time I go back. Doesn't need to be a hamburger, there are so many choices now. For those visiting Illinois, you go to a Cardinal game in St Louis, cross the river and eat at Pere Marquette near Alton, then run up to Springfield for that delicious Horsehoe sauce, then continue up to Chicago for Garrett's popcorn and Giordanos deep dish pizza. Can be done in 1 day or two.
Cheesesteaks & Hoagies from Philadelphia!....it's a must for the transplanted revisting.
Les Halles Park Ave , NY Filet au Pouve, Moulse Frites oh my! Surpringly affordable, amazing flavor, you'll swear you just came from an amazing French Bistro in Paris!! Mmmmmm!!
Isn't that the place the Anthony Bourdain used to run?
Frozen Custard from Milwaukee!!
Lipuma's Coney Island in Rochester Hills, MI and Bart's (formerly the Lumber Baron's) Dopplebock in Bay City MI. Must haves, every trip.
I am fortunate enough to live in the same town I grew up in, so there is not much to miss here. But I really do miss the jumbo deep fried shrimp from this wonderful little place in Daphne, Alabama. Its called Bens. Most amazing food.
PC Beach – Shuckums' Baked oysters are oh so good.. that is my home away from home :)
sorry, they are nuked, not baked. (I worked there.)
Any BBQ in Lockhart, Texas
TETSUYA'S SYDNEY NSW !!! Bring your Platinum Card your gonna need it, but this is an experience you will not ever forget. 8 course meal with flavors you cant imagine. If I were a Rock Star I would hit this joint every day of the week.
Heid's Hot Dogs in Liverpool (Syracuse) N.Y.!!
There are several. When I leave Vegas to go back to Ohio, I usually leave the airport and head right to White Castle! Then sometime during my visit, I hit Skyline Chili (University of Cincinnati grad). Then there's pizza. If I'm in Columbus it's either Tommy's on campus, Donato's anywhere in Ohio, La Rosa's in Cinci, or the mom and pop pizza place by my parents house. Central Ohio style pizza, though not necessarily known in the culinary world, is by far my favorite. Chicago style, NY style, they just don't do it for me. Thank goodness I found a Donato's clone recipe so I can get my fix at home in Vegas sometimes!
Tommy's is far and away better than LaRosa's or Donatos. Sliders at Whiteys is a good call, too. Columbus has a strong German heritage, and anything from Schmidt's is yummy to the tummy !!
From Delaware adn anytime I'm home i have to have some scrapple. Nothing like a good scrapple, egg and cheese sandwich to start your morning right.
what in the world is a scrapple?!
Efrain's in Lafayette Colorado. Costillas (Mexican Ribs) fallin of the bone in Chili Verde served with diced fried potatoes, refried beans, tortillas and a set of eggs over easy. About an 8 on the hot scale but so darn good you have to eat it. Wow! I'm salavating just talking about it :)
That isn't saliva Your tongue is sweating from the heat.
St. Louis Gooey butter cake, I have a recipe and usually make it on my birthday.
I'm not sure my hometown has a signature food of it's own. There are a couple of restaurants I go to specifically when I go, though. Actually I have restaurants I do that with almost everywhere I go regularly.
If you are ever in KC:
BBQ – Oklahoma Joe's or Arthur Byrant's
Wings – The Peanut
Pizza – Joe's at Kelly's
Cajun – Jazz
Burgers – Winstead's
Yummmmmm!
I am with you all the way with Oklahoma Joe's and The Peanut and Jazz (for the most part). But I would like to counter with Pizza Shoppe and Westport Flea Market for burgers.
I hit up Jazz every time I'm in town. Best Bloody!
Indian here – Set dosa with filter coffee.
We have a hot dog stand right outside of Auburn .. its great. The homemade hotdog chilli is way better than anyother hotdog stand I've ever been to.. when I get to craving it , I head home for a visit :)
Fried Pickles from Dirt Road BBQ is the best
A Cheesesteak when i go back to Philly (my favorite is Steve's)
SCRAPPLE! I grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania and this was a breakfast staple. Now that I live in Texas, I have to make sure to fill up on it anytime I venture home.
As a Maryland native (now a Virginian) allergic to seafood (yes, it is sad), I have to agree with you on Scrapple. There used to be a deli in my hometown that made their own blend better tasting and (easily) healthier than Rapa. (I love parentheses.)
The "D" – Coney dogs and chili fries
If you're ever in Kansas City, visit Oklahoma Joe's. It's a world-famous barbeque place... located in a gas station. They literally are recognized for their barbeque worldwide. (They've been featured by Anthony Bourdain, etc.)
K.C. is all about Gates for me! Double meat on white bread- bb's on the side!
Two all-the-way dogs, rings, and a large FO at The Varsity in Atlanta. Indescribably good!
Rebecca O I think you and I should go on a date there......canadian77athotmail.com Smoked Meat and Fries
Holeman & Finch in Atlanta for the burgers
Grand Rapids, MI – YESTERDOG!!! Gimmie three cheddars, please. Forbidden Apple from Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
North Florida and I have to have my grandma's greens(collards, mustards, turnips-doesn't matter), fried cornbread and sweet tea!! BTW Mr. Head it's Ms. Nat and I do apologize SIR McHammerpants!! Lol
My apology's Ms.Nat. MMMMM Cornbread.
All is forgiven, Ms. Nat.
Fish & Chips
Wave, Marion Ma
mmm...Poutine!!! Don't know what we would do without it!
I agree Canada. I can't wait to get back up there. I'm running low on St Hubert's poutine mix.
Imos pizza
Oreo Concrete from Ted Drews
Dads Cookies!!
These are St. Louis must haves!!!
Don't forget: Gus's pretzels.
Caroline I soooo agree...especially with a little bit of cole slaw
Carneigi Deli in NEW YORK CITY
New York – Pastrami on rye from Katz's. I'll have what she's having!
Junior's for a brisket sandwich, cheesecake and a black-and-white cookie!!!!!!!!!!
Fellini's Pizza in Atlanta, GA
Verisano's, Max's or even Friti is way better pizza in Atlanta then Fellinis
EATS on Ponce de Leon in Atlanta
Buffalo NY Bella Pizza & Wings! Buffalo Own Weber's Horseradish mustard and my fav – Sponge Candy!! Of course,I also miss all the typical Polish Foods... no place like home ....
I haven't had Bella's pizza in YEARS!!! There used to be one right down the street from my grandparents. Every Sunday night, on the way home we'd pick up 2 large, one cooked, one to freeze.
Sponge candy is a hard one. Not a fan of the orange, but the regular with dark – YUM!!!!!
Mike's candies in Buffalo! The best candies!
Hot Doug's in Chicago. Encased meats and duck fat fries.
Pizza from Mack and Mancos in Ocean City, NJ- on the boardwalk, piping hot, side of birch beer. Every. Summer. Only once a year. Soooo wonderful.
Completely agree on the Mack and Manco's; our annual trip to OC has to have Mack and Mancos, Kohr Bros and Atlantic City Sub Shop
Michigans (Red Hots) in Plattsburgh NY! At McSweeney's, Claire 'n Carls, Gus'! Yummy. Our family flies into Burlington VT, takes the Champlain ferry across Lake Champlain and stops by the first Michigan place we drive by on our way to Grandmas.
My cousin owns Claire & Carl's – glad to see it included!! And, how about an fresh, orchard picked mac apple. Just had one yesterday – YUMMMM
Only thing I can think of is proper Texas BBQ but I have it accessible to me here...if I moved I'd miss it though.
Pho in Saigon,
Sushi in Tokyo or
ANYTHING in New York.
you are easy....
Really truth? That surprises me. When you consider that most people in NYC are democrats, the fact that you spend money at their establishments effectively means you are supporting the liberal right wing agenda of Obama and his buddies.
How can you live with yourself?
"Liberal right wing agenda"...?
Pretty interesting concept there...!
"o" fries from the Original Hot Dog shop in Oakland, a neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Also a Primanti Bros. sandwich in the Strip
Sooooooooo much agreement. Plus a stop at Pittsburgh Pretzel on the South Side.
And Sarris' chocolate and ice cream in Canonsburg, PA!
and topped off with an arn city...
..and Mineo's too!!!
I grew up within walking distance of Mineo's in Squirrel Hill. I still go there at least once every trip back.
Pitt Representing! First thing I thought of was Primanti's. But you forgot Pamela's too.
I TOTALLY agree with all the Pittsburgh comments above. LOVE Mineo's and can't believe I forgot the original "O". GO STEELERS.
Onion Rings from the Varsity in Atlanta
second that. 5th generation Atlantan, been going to the Varsity since the early '50's. I'll go by the Varsity on the way to the folks' house and try not to smell like onions when I get there.
I absolutely love going home to Moses Lake, WA and eating Chicos Pizza...if I even get wind that someone will be visiting home I will pay them to bring me a slice :)
Tacos and Coney's from Lipuma's Coney Island in Rochester, MI. Line out the door at Holiday time becaue every body who moved away can't go back home without stopping by Lipumas!
I go to Lipuma's every time I am back in Rochester Hills
pulled porK i meant ha ha!
interesting typo!
More than just food on the brain today, apparently.
NC here...it has to be BBQ which, in my state, means pulled porn with vinegar based sauce! mmmmmmmm!
Pulled Porn? MMMMmmm!
Pulled pork with mustard-based sauce (South Carolina / Georgia border), served with slightly vinegary coleslaw and banana pudding with just enough pudding to hold the banana slices and vanilla wafers together. That's real BBQ to me.
Absolutely...I live in the midwest now, but bbq here isn't anything like southern bbq from SC! It is the best!
Nick Tahoe's garbage plates!
Yum! Haven't had one of those in a LONG time.
I used to eat about 4 plates a week back in the late 80's – early 90's. Garbage plates are awesome. Cheeseburger, mac and home fries.
Yum! Either a white hot plate or a cheeseburger plate for this guy.
Agreed! Amazing, unless you let it sit overnight....
mmm. garbage plates. a drunk person's best friend.
Zweigle's Pork Hots (aka "White Hots"), from upstate NY. Best dog in the world!!
Natch – you can order them, and Abbots (if you're from Rochester) from http://www.nystyledeli.com/cgi-bin/deli/index.html as well as stuff from Leo's bakery and Red Osier beef.
I am originally from Rochester and recently saw a hot dog stand in Greenville, SC featuring Zweigles. I also love Schaller's "ground rounds" on Ridge near Hudson + Abbots custard.
I think now that Wegmans is expanding, you'll see more and more "local" foods around. It wasn't too long ago when you couldn't get a white hot in Buffalo!
You can buy Zweigles in the Rochester airport. Whenever I visit we bring some back. Also have to have Pizzeria Americana (Greece location) pizza and wings!
I'm from the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC. When I'm home I have to have a fried livermush sandwich with mayo and a cold Cheerwine to drink. Makes me miss home just thinking about it!
sounds perfect! I love Cheerwine!
Cheerwine...yum. I lived in NC for a while and was addicted to Cheerwine. Now I live in FL but a friend will bring me a case when she visits lol
Blue corn, green chile, chicken enchiladas from Monroe's and a Frontier burrito with a side of western hashbrowns from The Frontier, both in Albuquerque, NM.
ANYTHING with new mexico green chili is my favorite! I live in TX and luckily the trend is spreading, but there's nothing like the original in NM :) That makes me hungry just thinking about it!
Well for me I use to live in a small greek community so when I go home I have to have certain greek dishes from different restaurants. But when I visit places like North Carolina I need Sun Drop, Mississippi or Louisiana I want Zaps Cajun Dill chips and if I ever get out to California I want real tacos and an In & Out burger.
Zaps have made their way to Nashville – never been to Louisiana, but those are some good chips!
There is SunDrop in Missouri, also.
In n Out – YES!
Birmingham, AL What else but fried green tomatoes
Anytime I have the chance to go to Miami – I must have my Cafe con Leche (coffee) and a pastelito(pastry) of Guava & cheese! I love Cuban & Puertorican food and you can't find many restaurants out west!
Wine from the wineries on Traverse City's Old Mission Peninsula, cherry salsa from the Cherry Stop in Traverse City (Michigan) and the many restaurants in that area that I often miss. I live in Grand Rapids and have two little girls now, so going up for a weekend of wine tasting hasn't happened in a very long time. :)
unless you've been to Napa..... Michigan, nah
Real Montreal Smoked Meat.....not Pastrami or any other wannabe.....Real Montreal Smoked Meat with a Lafleur's or La Belle Province french fry. (salivating)
OH, Scott. If you are anywhere in the Tri-State area, you need to RUN, not walk, right here: http://mileendbrooklyn.com/.
oh yeah! soooooooo good. Not to mention the bagels!
Unless you've had a Montreal bagel......
My Montreal-born-and-bred husband gets his fix whenever we go north but, in the meantime, he satisfies his smoked meat cravings with President's Choice smoked meat vac-packs that we keep in the freezer. Steam them, add a good rye bread and President's Choice old-fashioned grainy mustard and you've got a sandwich that's as close as you'll ever get to Ben's.
As far as the bagels are concerned, well, I may be hounded out of NYC for this, but I'm a complete convert and Montreal-style bagels are the best in the world. They have no equivalent, so we just stick with rye. *sigh*
I miss boshintang, a dish made from specialty breed meat dogs in my hometown in South Korea. The dogs over here just don't taste the same.
Saw butchered dogs in S. Korean marketplace once. Gross. Never had it, don't know how it would taste.
My nephew says it's not bad. He ordered some by accident due to the languange barrier, but figured the poor thing was already cooked, he might as well eat it.
Fried clams in southern Maine!
toally. I drive dfrom Montreal for those fried clams.
Full Belly or clamstrips? Battered or breaded? I am from Scarborough origionally :)
Imo's Pizza from St. Louis
Can't forget a side of toasted ravioli!
Its the BEST!!!
Imo's pizza is nothing to get excited over, but their pasta dishes aren't bad. I have to say the frozen Custard at Ted Drew's is awesome! That's about the only thing I miss from St. Louis.
Yes! Imo's Pizza! I miss that.
Imo's is the bomb!! NDAI !!! West coast STL'er & I miss, Imo's Ted Drews, Amigetti's, Bevo, Cunettos', Kemoll's: No Italian food in THE ENTIRE COUNTRY as good as the food on THE HIll is STL. Read it and weep NY. And Tigerblood (cherry& cocnut) snow cones!!!
Can't forget Hannegan's down at LaClede's landing.
I've lived in St. Louis nearly my entire adult life, and after 25 years, I STILL don't get it when it comes to St. Louis style pizza! I've tried pizza from more than a dozen places that are said to have "the best" St. Louis pizza and I can't even finish a small piece of the stuff. The thin crust is fine (in fact I really like that part), the sauce is OK, but that weird provel cheese! Pizza cheese should be chewy, not creamy. Pizza just isn't the right dish for processed cheese food product. Lol.
Imo's pizza, Ted Drewes custard, toasted ravioli. Also, a trip to Mama Tuscanos on the Hill to get some ravs to take home.
Also, Vess cream soda (yeah i know, it's a local generic, but i love it) .... YUM.
Not so much a specific dish or food, but a specific place. Rogers, AR, there is this glorious little mom n' pop, southern home cooking, reasturaunt. It is AMAZING, the serve the same courses ever time, and it is NEVER disapointing!
Please share the name or location, as I'm headed to Rogers, AR this weekend.
Coney Island chili dogs and fries in Detroit
I ate them literally every day for years with a periodic loose hamburger to introduce some variety in my diet. But, I do add to that list: Buddy's Pizza, Sanders hot Fudge, Cider & Donuts from Franklin Cider Mill.
I was going to reply coney dog! Lafeyette Coney Island in downtown Detroit...the bestttt
Every time I go home to Wisconsin I not only stock up on cheese for myself. But I usually have a list of things from friends that want me to bring stuff back for them.
Yes, and cheese curds and a butter burger from Culver's and Babcock Hall Orange Chocolate Chip ice cream and a bloody mary from The Weary Traveler in Madison, WI.....I could go on and on and on....
Don't forget Michael's Frozen Custard's Turtle Sundae. Yummm...
Carne Asada Burrito from the original El Indio's on India Street in San Diego. It's right near the airport and is our first stop on teh way to my parents house. BTW – the chips are amazing and the taquitos are awesome..
Amen! I was waiting for some one to bring up good fast taquerias!
john's slaw dressing and milo's cheeseburger & fries from birmingham
I canz haz cheezburger?
ess oo can
Rhode Islander here, and I always make sure to have the Rhode Island special... clam cakes and chowder. There is nothing more heavenly on a summer's evening for me.
Oh, yeah. Forgot about clam chowder. NOMNOMNOMNOMNOM
Another Rhode Islander here – Brickley's Icecream and an Allie's Jelly Stick!!
If you are from RI you have to stop at Olneyville New York System Hot weiners. coffee milk and 3 all the way!
Oh man... how did I forget coffee milk!? To those not in SE New England, it's not coffee in milk. It's coffee syrup in milk, which doesn't really taste like coffee. Think coffee ice cream, but in the form of milk.
Whats better on a scorching hot summer day then Dell's Frozen Lemonade?
We get coffee milk in NY, too. I keep a bottle of syrup in the pantry for making egg creams. I send bottles to friends out west as a special treat, along with other syrups they can't get. Egg creams and Italian sodas are the best on a hot summer day!
I am with you Tyler, I miss Rocky Point Chowder house, but Auntie Carries and Iggys will do in a pinch for clam cakes and chowdah
:sigh:
I remember going to Rocky Point Chowder House as a kid before they closed down. I liked it, but I never had the appreciation for it that I do now.
And to the person who mentioned Dells... YUM!
ha! i knew rhode islanders would represent! i'm a rhode islander in CA. when i go home i REQUIRE new york system hot weiners, clam cakes, and pizza strips! i always buy some coffee syrup to bring home too. oh, and i also love willow tree chicken salad, which i think you can get at grocery stores only in southern NE. and i also love wright's farm! and wes's rib house! wow... i guess i spend my entire visit home going from place to place getting my faves, but it's always a great time!
The only good things to have come out of Ohio are Kat and the Football Hall of Fame. 5 way Texas chili is the BEST!
Oh – but I'm from Kentucky! We have bourbon there, too. They let us have chili on our side of the Big Mac bridge.
Forgot that Louisville had a Skyline chili joint downtown. I've got many friends in Jeffersonville,IN. just across the bridge. Thanks for streaming the egg hearings,watching them now.
I'm from Louisville, and I CRAVE Dixie Loaf!! It is a lunch meat product from Fischer's and tho it may be disgusting to some, I have it brought to me when relative visit!
Uh, Buckeyes! As much as I hated visiting Ohio, I would consider maybe passing through for a buckeye on my way to somewhere else. Delicious.
Funny when I saw this. I immediately thought of Skyline Chili (hometown Cincinnati, OH)...and there is was in the body of the article. Every trip back to Cincy includes a trip to Skyline...no question about it!
I agree Brian - Skyline is a must have every time this Colerain HS alumni makes it home. First stop is a trip to Skyline and then we can go to LaRossa's and Graters!
Cincy: Skyline, Graeters, Montgomery Inn and Frisch's – I eat my way across town – I can talk to family later
Nashville : Couldn't LIVE without Hot Chicken – 400 degrees is addictive!
Native Cincinnatians must have a gene for these places: Skyline, LaRosa's, Frisch's and Graeter's! Every time I "go home", a stop at each is on my must-do list. My stomach rebels every time, but a couple of times a year it is SO worth it.
Yes, yes, and yes to Skyline. I grew up in Brookville, IN (across the border from Cincy) and we had Skyline probably once a week throughout my childhood and teen years. I have since moved to San Diego and people do not get the concept of chili on spaghetti (their loss). The place I HAVE to go to when I come home is Pizza King. They have the BEST pizza and soft tacos. Yum!
Brittany, def pizza king.... but nothing beats SE Indiana fried chicken. I'm originally from Batesville/Oldenburg
Dang-Forgot about Fritch's. Always have to make a run to New Albany,IN to get a couple of 'em! They used to have them here in Texas{they were called "Bob's Big Boy"} our local Friday nite hangout.
*Frisch's-Got so hungry thinking about them I spelled it wrong.
You forgot Cedar Point! Oh and the Wright Brothers, oh and Neil Armstrong, oh and Thomas Edison. YOU'RE WELCOME!
Good REAL Buffalo wings.
Must go to Duff's Wings in Amherst, NY everytime I go home to Buffalo. And a little sadness creeps in when I realize that I can't handle the hot sauce anymore. Oh so good...but holy cow the heat! Woohoo!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!! Duff's!
Duff's is an absolute must when we go home to visit. We also order Pizza Junction pizza.
Anchor Bar Wings & Johhny's Pizza
And beef on weck and white hots and curly fries..........
LaNova BBQ wings (sacriligious for a Buffalonian, I know) and Bocce's pizza
Halibut from Alaskan waters.
Alaska – just for the halibut!
New York – Pastrami on rye from Katz's. I'll have what she's having!
Pastrami from Katz's with a bowl of sours & half sours. Just wish it weren't always so blasted crowded! Drat those tourists. ;)
What's really funny there is the looki you get from people who don't understand the seating, and who think that their coat/purse/shopping bag deserves its own chair. I usually just skip the drama and go to Harold's because the pastrami's still made in-house, even if it does mean being on the wrong side of the river.
Must have "chicken bog" when visiting Eastern South Carolina!
You said it...I am from there, too...and whenever I go home, I ask my mom to make some "chicken bog" for me!
What is chicken bog?
http://www.home-ec101.com/chicken-bog-chicken-bog-chicken-bog-time/
The first and only thing I want when returning home froman extended trip away is a hot bowl of seafood gumbo. Ahot, hot steamy bowl of gumbo in a dark, dark roux. That is the closest thing to heaven.
Central Iowa- Made-Rite loose meat hamburgers!! The one from my home town is now a Subway :( Also Jaarsma's Bakery in Pella. I can remember the smell at will and the thought of those Dutch Letters.... yum.... AND the super guilty pleasure of Taco John's.
from new england. must get a strawberry fribble from friendly's and a naked lobster roll from james hook and co. right on northern ave in boston - little to no mayo, shredded lettuce, hint of tarragon, salt & pepper on a perfectly griddled hot dog bun.
live in seattle and when o go back from traveling i want a sauteed shrimp sandwich from paseo - top three non-burger sandwiches i've ever had (lobster roll from james hook in boston, the pinocchio from alidoro in new york city and this one)
Mmmmm! Maid-Rites! Almost forgot about those! And in DSM, the huge, flat breaded pork tenderloins from Mustard's (no longer around). Also have Cookie's BBQ sauce shipped to me annually. Oh, and the BEST CINNAMON ROLLS IN THE WORLD from a little coffee shop in the square in Winterset (I think. Found it when working for the DOT in 1979). And don't ever forget all the great stuff at the Iowa State Fair, esp lamb burgers!!!
I second the maid-rite, but I have to have the southeast Iowa specialty, Sterzing's potato chips along with it.
Scrapple in Trenton, NJ–nothing like it, especially with maple syrup drizzled over it!
Whole wheat bread and any kind of cookies from Great Harvest Bakery. I used to bring an extra suitcase to bring bread home. Now I have to ship it.