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What's your favorite regional food that you discovered on your travels that you can't find at home?
I was in Clearwater, Florida and had a Greek salad that was served with potato salad on the bottom. It was delish but I can't find this anywhere else.
What's your pick? Thanks.
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What's your favorite food you discovered while traveling that you can't get at home?
What's your favorite regional food that you discovered on your travels that you can't find at home?
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Philly cheese steaks! And I'm not talking about the kind in the food court at any mall, USA.
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Nut Goodie candy bars in Minnesota!
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Not a food, but I just love the fresh brewed sweet ice tea that you get in US restaurants. I'm Canadian and they don't make it right here.
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Not quite the same, but I am amazed that in the mid-west there is no ginger ale.
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In my opinion, the bagels really are tastier in NYC than anywhere else.
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Snow crab legs at the Jersey Shore - YUM! I can't find any in NYC.
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I truly miss the ribs & Saratoga chips at Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati! I also love the blueberry pancakes at Bob Evans, but there aren't any in San Diego. I always go to these 2 places when I visit family at home.
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I am Belgian. 22years ago I was invited in a US family in New York and they made sweet potatoes. The American family said it was something exquis, butI found it was disgusting. A lot of years later I still talked about that ugly sweet poptatoe.Last July I came for the second time to the US (with my family) to Florida and went shopping in the Publix. There I saw a tuberous plant wich seemed to be a sweet potatoe.
I showed it to my husband and children who knew my story and I bought one. I did not kwow how to prepare it, but I peeled it, cut it in pieces and baked it in olive oil. It was delicious...
Now I am back in Belgium, I search everywhere but they don't sell it here.
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a: There is ginger-ale in the Midwest, at least there is in Mich. It is called Vernor's. I dont like ginger-ale personally, but my dad thinks it is the best.
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Fried clams and peppermint stick ice cream (not togethre, of course) the way you get 'em in Maine and some parts of Mass. Everywhere else the clams are rubber-bands dipped in cornflour and fried in 3-day old fat. And IF you can find it anywhere else, the peppermint ice cream is a gluey pink mess. I like the fresh-shucked whole clam in flour batter and fried in fresh oil (I'm afraid lard in the oil makes it taste even better, if you don't mind a 300 cholesterol level), and the peppermint stick ice cream should be white with bits of actual peppermint stick swirled into it.
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Vernor's ginger-ale is bitter. I miss Cliquot Club but will take Canada Dry or, in a pinch, Schweppes (also a little bitter).
Anyone for birch beer?
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Martine, the first sweet potatoes you tried were probably "candied". Some people make them like that for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lots of sugar. You are right about them tasting better just baked with a little olive oil. You can grow them if you have a long enough summer, about 100 days. You can mail order the plants if they will ship to you.
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Martine probably had canned sweet potato (yuck). The baked ones are delicious.
I love the doughnuts made in NYC at the Doughnut Plant. Doughnuts do not travel well and it is a small operation.
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My son loved the poutine he had in Canada. I try to recreate it with french fries, gravy, and mozarella but he says its still not the same.
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Mofongo(seasoned mashed plaintains w/seafood) from Puerto Rico. Incredible dish.
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There is Ginger ale in Minnesota...Canada Dry and Schwepps.
Hummm, I didn't know Nut Goodies weren't everywhere....very tasty!
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I live in Nebraska and have not had problems finding giner ale either...I love the stuff!
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New Orleans' delicious donut confection....beignets.
Southern California's super yummy fast food chain, Yoshinoya beef bowl..thankfully, they opened one in New York City!!!
My late grandmas tuna salad, sliced apple sandwiches. Its the first thing I want when I travel to heaven.
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Take-out sushi. In our small midwestern city, none of the stores have California rolls or other types. (We do have one Japanese restaurant in town.) When I am in Chicago or Minneapolis, that is the first thing I look for in the supermarket. And Hawaii was heaven for my husband and me - we could get sushi at just about every supermarket or fish market!
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Actually, I rarely ever travel to the midwest. However, someone was visiting me when I ordered one in a restaurant and they had no idea what it was. They had heard about such an item, but it said it was not sold in their state.
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Conch Fritters
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Kansa City BBQ - arthur Bryants
In Germany - spaetzel, apple strudel, smoked trout, german sausages!
Key West Fla - key lime pie
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Had great, tender, large calamari at Fishwife's in Pacific Grove, CA. They said it was from Mexico. My fish man on the east coast just stares at me when I ask for it.
However, people in bakeries on the west coast didn't have a clue what "streusel" topping is on crumb buns.
Yes, those clams with bellies are great in New England.
Does anyone else love to wander through grocery stores on vacation to see what is available in different parts of the country?
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Croque Monsieur in Paris - couldn't find it in the South of France or anywhere in the US - not even close!
And...Iced Tea in the USA!
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I've got to agree with Susan's son -- I **love** poutine and whenever I'm in Canada I have it as much as possible. I can hear my arteries clog, but figure if I only get it once or twice a year, I shouldn't feel too guilty about it. She's right -- you just can't duplicate it with ingredients available in the US. Mozzarella just doesn't substitute for the special cheese curd you have to use to make real poutine!
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Another vote here for the Beignets
at Cafe du Monde, New Orleans, and
the chickory coffee (can be mail ordered though)
Muffalettas too from that grocery store
on decatur street in the french quarter
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Chicken-flavored potato chips and Milky Bars in New Zealand.
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asked my travel agent to recommend the best restaurant in Paris. he said it was a restaurant on the Seine overlooking Notre Dame called la tour d'argent. it turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. king henri III of of France ordained the preparation of their duck to be of such quality he decided in 1592 that the ducks were to be numbered. I think I had duck number 207,902. I still dream about the duck, the champagne, the view and the company.
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loved curried goat in the Carribean-did not know wat I was eating but really liked it
There are few sections of the US that do fried clams with bellies-you have to go to NE & indulge
Love the raw oysters in Appalachiacola area of FL
So many regions with so many wonderful foods
Don't try pizza in CO
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Yoshinoya beef bowl is horrible. Most of them have been closing up around Southern California due to lack of customers.
What's a crumb bun?
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Dana: I don't know where you live, but if you have a Cost Plus store near you, just wanted to let you know that they carry the Cafe du Monde Beignet mix and the chickory coffee. Not the same as enjoying it in the French Quarter, but it's a fun Sunday morning treat while reading the travel section of the paper.
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I can't forget the delicious fried corn nuggets at the Stockyard in Ft. Worth. Devine treat that was so Texas!
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Fresh ahi, in Hawaii.....
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What are whoopie pies? That sounds familiar.....but not sure why????
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Tuna salad made with fresh - not canned - tuna. And to the original poster, I loved that Greek Salad with the potato salad, too. I was told it was "authentic" but when we ate at a popular Greek restaurant in New York last summer, we had salad that consisted of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions and feta cheese. No lettuce...it was absolutely fabulous. Who knows what's real?
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Any time we're just south of the border; we go into Canada, stop at any store, and have no trouble buying Cadbury Crunchies. Can't find them ANYWHERE in US.
Whoopie pies are simply two hand held devils food cake bars, with a layer of white frosting between them. Very easy to make and sold at many Amish stands. According the Philly Inquirer, nobody is sure where the name comes from.
Another Amish delicacy is shoo-fly pie.
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A Monte Christo sandwich. Can't find them anywhere! However did find a restaurant in Banff, Alberta, of all places that served them.
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Fresh artichokes in California; an almond meringue dessert served at Mama Gina's in Florence, Italy. Laura, the secret to sweet ice tea is the sugar is melted in the hot brewed tea and allowed to cool before the tea is diluted.
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King Cake during Mardi Gras in Nawlins! I ship it up north every year!!!!
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Whoopie pies are a big thing here in MA. They are made from two cake-like large chocolate "discs" with delicious cream in the middle. Disgustingly delicious!
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These replies have made me so hungry right now. I love Chicago style hot dogs from Wiener Circle in Chicago.
I can't find a good Chicago style dog in LA.
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A crumb bun is a sweet, coffeecake type yeast bun. When they're made "right," the streusel (big, buttery crumbs) on top make up about one third of the bun.
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Susan: In Greece the greek salad is tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, feta, oregano and greek olives. No lettuce (makes sense because it would be really hard to grow lettuce in their climate). So that is the authentic way to make it. I make Greek salads that way all of the time myself because they never do it right in restaurants. Also from my travels I miss the white pineapple we had in Costa Rica. They only have the yellow ones here.
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1. Can someone tell me what poutine is?
2. Authentic Greek salad never has lettuce in or near it. Doesn't mean you can't enjoy it with lettuce, but the "classic" is basically tomatoes (the kind you can taste), cucumber, onions, oregano, olive, feta, lemon juice and olive oil.
3. In the Carolinas (and perhaps elsewhere around the south), "iced tea" will come sweetened UNLESS you specify unsweetened tea. Some people may ask for "sweet tea" meaning "iced tea." The best places make it with a pre-prepared sugar syrup (cane sugar hypersaturating boiled water) and brewed tea concentrate. (My own version is to make a tea "julep" with mint mashed into the sugar syrup.)
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Where do you live? I can buy Crunchy bars here in upstate NY! Had them as a kid in Scotland and still love them -- so does my daughter!
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I miss trail bologna (not to be confused with summer sausage) which we used to buy when I lived in NE Ohio. Can't find it in Florida. My husband would say Kona Coffee, which he drank by the gallon while we were in Hawaii. You can get it here, but it's ridiculously expensive and not as good.
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Ginger ales are available in the midwest
in particalar Schweppes and Canada Dry. By the way they are both owned by Cadbury (Dr Pepper-7-up) but distribued by different bottlers in different areas. They are the same product made from the same concentrate. By the way so are the mixers like club soda, tonix.
Vernors is also owned by Cadbury but do 75% of their business in Michigan, most of that in Detroit and Flint. Real Michiganders cook with it, make ice cream floats out of it and drink it hot.
It actually to me tastes better when you do some of these things to it. It is also the 2nd oldest soft drink in the US (started 1866 or so)
In Chicago their is Canfields drink with their own ale (owned by guess who Cadbury)
Ales do not have the same share that you see in NY, Boston or FL but are available in all grocery amd most c-stores.
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I went to the feast of San Gennaro (sp?) in Little Italy a few years ago.
So... much fun! Anyhow, they had these fattening little grilled cheese "sandwiches" but instead of bread the cheese was melted between two corn meal pancakes (polenta?).
They were so good.
I just love NY Italians and Little Italy! Anytime I travel to NYC I go straight to the Italian Grocery on Grand and Mulberry (I think).
They have better food the 95% of the restaurants in the area!
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I went to the feast of San Gennaro (sp?) in Little Italy a few years ago.
So... much fun! Anyhow, they had these fattening little grilled cheese "sandwiches" but instead of bread the cheese was melted between two corn meal pancakes (polenta?).
They were so good.
I just love NY Italians and Little Italy! Anytime I travel to NYC I go straight to the Italian Grocery on Grand and Mulberry (I think).
They have better food the 95% of the restaurants in the area!
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Hey Jeff in LA,
I've been told there is a shop that sells Chicago-style hot dogs in the Valley. On the SE corner of Reseda Blvd and Parthenia. I've driven by and they even have a Vienna Beef sign!
A displaced Chicagoan myself, I haven't been over to try them yet. But it's the best lead I've had so far.
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I have to agree with the iced tea (Ice Tea is what we really say) that you can get in the south. Originally from Alabama, it is impossible to find a great glass of tea in Wisconsin.
And another thing I've noticed, as a Southerner, I like LOTS of ice in my drinks. If I ask for Ice Water, I want a glass full of ice. It is amusing to me how in the midwest if you ask for ice in your drink you get two or three pieces and that is it.
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The best iced tea I've had was "sun tea" in California. Such good flavor and they didn't load it down with sugar. The southern tea is just way too sweet for my taste buds.
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somebody help me out here but was in NYC and had one of the best hot dogs I have ever had (nathans?) I'm going back soon and want another one. It was a stand right down frome Macy's.
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Canfield's reference reminded me about the Canfield's Chocolate Fudge soda. Never found anything like it elsewhere, although there are many who would not miss it.
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CC -- do a web search on poutine and you will find plenty of pictures and recipes. It's a Quebecois dish which basically consists of french fries with dark brown gravy and a light, mozzarella-like cheese curd (NOT cottage cheese -- that is what people always think when they hear "curd") melted into it. You eat with a fork.
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Thanks Sight-seer:
I do live near cost plus and I'm going
there right now to get my Beignet Mix!
I've been to cost plus several times;
never bothered to check out many food items!!
thanks agian
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Jeff- try Weiner Factory in Sherman Oaks.
And doesn't Pink's on La Brea serve a Chicago dog?
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Thanks for the input on Greek salads but a traditional Greek salad never has lemon in it. Never with tomatoes.
Tomatoes, onions, kalamata olives, feta, anchovies (if you prefer), olive oil, salt and oregano. Green peppers are sometimes added depending on the region. I love to add some cut boiled potatoes to this mix.
The best part is dipping some fresh bread in the leftover salad juice with bits of feta cheese.
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No, Pinks on La Brea does not serve a Chicago hot dog.
They serve a chicago-style polish dog and it pales in comparison to a real Gold Coast Dog.
I will have to try Weiner Factory someday soon, though.
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GRAPENUT ice cream!!!!
A New England favorite, but hard to find these days!
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French fries cooked in truffle oil with shaved parmesan on top - At the botton of a ski slope in Aspen!!!!!!!!!
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Grilled stickies from the Penn State Diner- oooozzzing with cinammon, sugar and butter. YYYuuumm!
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Fried oyster sandwiches made by hand at the Chincoteage, VA pony-penning carnival, coupled with a serving of sweet potato fries.
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I agree with the grilled stickies from the Penn State Diner. Also Middleswarth Potato Chips. I became addicted to them at Penn State and can't find them where I live.
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Haven't visited the southern US yet but as a kid one of my mom's friends who had been raised in Alabama made the absolute best iced tea.
Several things in Hawaii: Matsumoto shave ice with ice cream and adzuki beans - shave ice stands pop up around here in the summer but are nowhere near the same. Maui onion and garlic macadamia nuts - the stores here have the regular and some other flavors but not the O&G. Malasadas - yum! Fried sugary dough.
In Canada (BC anyway) yummy breakfast sandwiches from a Perkins-like chain - the White Spot I think.
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Kentucky -- Hot Brown
Unbelievably delicious
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Hot dogs from the original Nathan's in Coney Island. The Nathan's chains I've tried don't even come close.
Hand-dipped Tofutti ice cream at the Tofutti storefront in Greenwich Village (does it still exist?), especially the flavor made with black sesame seeds.
FRESH ackee in Jamaica.
The homemade sausage we had for breakfast on the way to Gettysburg - can't remember name of place but it might have been Stoltzfus Farms Restaurant in Intercourse, PA. I've never tasted anything like it.
Grouper, snapper, or porgy "al mojo de ajo" in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Cracked conch like in the Keys or scorched conch like in the Bahamas.
H & R Bagels - Manhattan, of course!
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Speaking of ginger..ginger ale and stuff like that...how about ginger ice cream? Believe it or not it tastes great...and is found I believe in a few places in New England....though diminishing in number. I couldn't find it this summer in an ice cream store in Mashpee that used to serve it.
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In-n-out burgers in California, Homemade feijoada in Brazil with a stiff capirinha, the open-faced sandwiches in Copenhagen (I forget the name they have for them) with a shot of that 100+ proof aquavit they pour there... whooo!
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You stole Mine!
I was also going to say In N' Out hamburgers in California. They're the best hamburgers ever!! Someday I'll return and order another "double-double"
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30 Years ago when I was a young girl we use to eat "IKE'S" chili (they called it 3 way because it also had spaghetti in it) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anyone know if they still have "Ike's Chili Parlors" there? I LOVED it more than anything I can imagine...so much we froze it and brought it home on the airplane in our suitcase.
Anyone from Oklahoma know if these still exist?? Valerie
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Anne -- I live in the Philly area. Next time I'm in upstate New York I'll look for them.
Each time we go to Canada we just stop at the first grocery or drug store we find, and have always found them with no trouble. Have never seen them here in the US. I guess they'll cross the border as soon as Tim Horton donuts do as well.
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She crab soup from Myrtle Beach to Florida and conch chowder and fritters.
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Grandfather Chicken from the Moongate at the Mirage.......happy tummy!
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I love cheese curds in Wisconsin.
I also had scotch eggs in Grand Marias, on the UP of Michigan. They're hardboiled egges wrapped in sausage and deep fried.
As for the ginger-ale in the Midwest thing. It may depend on how you define midwest. I'm from Kansas (many people say its in the midwest although I don't consider it to be) I had seen ginger-ale in the grocery store a few times, but I never had any until I moved to Iowa.
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Paul Rabe,
Re: Cadbury Crunchies - These are my favorites, too. Got one by accident from a vending machine on my first trip to London in high school and have been addicted ever since. If you have a Cost Plus World Market near you, you may want to look there. Ours just started carrying them (we are in the Midwest) - don't know if it is just temporary or not, but you might give it a try. I have also found them in British restaurants or British food stores - there is one in Santa Monica, CA and one in Las Vegas (can't remember the names) and both definitely have Crunchies.
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Fish tacos! We've just returned from a week in Southern Calif. and you can't find anything like fish tacos in New Hampshire! I had them every opportunity I could. My last was at the Rubio's in the SD airport. Fast food Mexican -- what a wonderful idea.
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Strangely enough, I have not been able to find hot dogs that compare to the ones in Chicago...or Germany. I would also love to have the recipe for Thanh Long's garlic noodles in San Francisco.
Melfie, Aoki's shave ice is actually better than Matsumotos--it's just down the street from Matsumoto's.
As for other stuff.....my grandmother used to make a traditional Chinese "pudding" (more like mochi) called gau (rhymes with cow) when I was a kid. When she got older, she stopped making it and I could NOT stomach the store-bought kind...so I did without for the last 15-20 years. This past Chinese New Year, one of my co-workers' aunts made one for me and it was pretty darn close. I almost started crying, it was so good & authentic!
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Vernor's Ginger Ale
Sweet tea
Joseph Schmidt chocolate truffles
Conch chowder
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If anyone here is looking for Cadbury's items that they've had in Canada or the UK but can't find them here... my daughter just stumbled across a store in Manhattan that has all of it. Anyone needing the name/location just post back or email me and I'll get the info.
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This was a little thing, but I remember somewhere in France we stopped at some roadside fast food place for lunch and the mustard you got in the little packages to go on your burger was out of this world! I don't even remember what brand it was, but it was one of those cases where you knew you were in a place that makes great mustard because even the cheap junk you got at fast food places was better than the "gourmet" mustard you can get in the States!
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message to all you cadburys chocolate lovers. cadburys are trying to buy out hershey at the moment so there could be much more coming your way soon.
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Re: Cadbury's--I read a big article on it in the inflight magazine on my way back from London and they can't sell chocolate made the British way in the US because they use wax which is not allowed by the USDA (you could sell it but not call it chocolate). So if you want the British kind it has to be imported--if Cadbury buys out Hershey's they're still not going to be able to market UK chocolate in the US.
Another food I just remembered that I can't get here is New Orleans bread pudding. I don't even like the dense stuff here in California, thought I didn't like bread pudding at all until I had the fluffy delicate kind you can get in New Orleans.
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I am still swooning over the Grand Marnier chocolate crepes we got at a stand in St. Tropez!
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Pastrami sandwich at Katz's deli in NYC and a New York egg cream. YUM!
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I love all of your responses! I am so interested in trying crumb buns, cadbury crunchies and so many of the other regional treats you all mentioned.
Thanks for the great replies.
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Hot peanuts on the street corners in NYC
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R.C. Cola and a Moon Pie for breakfast.
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Mark- you can get great Ginger Ice Cream at Richardson's in Middleton, about 15 minutes north of Boston. Route 1 North to Route 114 West.
They also have great Grapenut Ice Cream, and Peppermint Stick! Their "Death by Chocolate" is deadly indeed!
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Chicago deep dish pizza
See's chocolates in California
Fresh loster from seaside shacks in New England
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Try www.hilohattie.com for the macadamia nuts.
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Jumbalaya in New Orleans!
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Remoulade sauce in New Orleans for dipping fried oysters in. Bought a jar to bring home but it still didn't taste the same. Can't wait to go back.
Dim Sum in Chinatown in New York - I tried stuff that I have no idea what it was but it did taste great.
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For all you Canadians..Chapman's makes grapenut ice cream...I tried it for first time a few weeks ago and it's....interesting!
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For me it has to be the produce - things like fresh rambutan and especially fresh passionfruit we had daily in Costa Rica, the huge mexican/Central American/Carribean papaya, melon so sweet you'd swear it was candied,....I'm getting so hungry. As another poster mentioned, I love wandering around in supermarkets in the countries I visit - one of the highlights of the trip for us!
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I love going to NY city (and surrounding areas) just for the food alone. Here is my list of foods that I can't find here in the south, or if I can find this stuff, it just isn't as good!
Knishes (sold on a street corner, yum!)
Black and White cookies
NY Bagels
Corned Beef Sandwich
Kosher pickles
NY pizza
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1. Ditto Monte Christo sandwich. My first was on our honeymoon in St. Thomas
2. Key Lime pie
3. Dim sum at a dump on Oahu
4. Tomato, mozzarella and mint at almost any NY deli
5. Stone crabs in south Florida
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Conch salsa in Belize!
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Also Fry Jacks in Belize.
And Florida Stone Crabs, Fish and Chips in Mass. (breaded with cornmeal, not that goopy beer batter crap), and chocolate con churros in Spain....
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Louisiana shrimp boil, with shrimp right from the net. Adana beyti from Turkey. French fromage blanc. The really good Spanish olives. Mexican that is not Taco Bell.
Better than a Crunchie bar and only in Canada... Coffee Crisp!
I have seen poutine made with mild cheddar, grated. It is closer to the white cheddar curds used in Quebec. I would try it with American cheese if I were you.
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In Hawaii, the shrimp you get from the roadside stand -- very garlicky and served over sticky white rice. Yum!
Also in Hawaii, poke! Marinated, raw ahi tuna with teriyaki. You can get it everywhere in Hawaii, and I can't find it anywhere here in California.
The caprese salad in Italy. I've made this for myself many, many times, never tastes the same. This is the sliced tomato, sliced fresh mozzerella salad with basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzled over. Maybe my tomatoes just don't taste Italian enough?
By the way, someone is looking for a Croque Monsignor sandwich -- if you ever find yourself in San Francisco be sure to head to Absinthe. The very best croque I've ever had. They also serve them at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland, but I'm not sure of the authenticity!
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Gorant's candy from Northeastern Ohio. The best chocolate in the world, bar none!
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There was a soda when I was younger in Baltimore super markets called Almond Smash, it was so good but I have never been able to find it anywhere else and even now its not in Maryland anymore. I scored a case about a year ago from some wierd store but I haven't seen or heard of it since.
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I agree with Melissa. I can't wait to have another pastrami sandwich from Katz's when I go to NYC.
I loved the Chicago style hot dogs at Portillo's in Chicago.
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Beef and Kidney or Chicken and Mushroom pie from England and Ireland!
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Izzy's potato pancake & Graeter's Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream! Cincinnati, Ohio
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Oh you guys are absolutel killing me!
But let me add to the list:
San Francisco: From North Beach pizza, the "san francisco special." Garlic and clams... mmmm. Don't mock it until you've tried it.
Kansas City: Oklahoma Joe's bbq. The best I've ever had and I grew up on bbq.
Uk and Ireland: common, grocery store rasberry trifles. I always picked them up at Tesco and it was my 99p piece of heaven.
Belgium: the beer. Kriek cherry to be exact. Soooo good. I know it's available in the US but the few I've seen have been ridiculously expenisve.
Also: real Belgian waffles from their hot stands. Yummy!
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I don't know if they still have it on the menu, but a few years back I had a Monte Cristo sandwich at the Edward's Mansion restaurant in Redlands, California. It's a great old restored victorian house that sits in an orange grove.
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This thread is wonderful. I'm salivating even as I write this! Here's my list:
Carlsbad, California: There is a wonderful taco stand there with rolled tacos-- heavy on the cheese, guacamole, and salsa of course!
Paris: Mmm...those crepe stands. Nutella with banana is my favorite.
NYC: The kosher pickles on the tables that you get at Carnegie Deli-- I could eat those forever.
Chik-Fil-A chicken sandwiches: I know it's a chain but they don't have them in Minnesota
Bedford, TX: Grew up in this area and I still miss the sno-cones at Bedford Sno-Ball! Tons of flavors with really good shaved ice...more like a Hawaiian ice than a sno-cone and perfect in the summer.
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NYC- the freshly made honey roasted nuts on the streets. I would get a little bag ($2) on my way to catch the subway from my hotel.
Maui- Fresh locally grown pineapple. I have NEVER tasted pineapple as the kind I got in Lahaina. (note-even over there if you buy pineapple at the grocery store it is not as good as the kind you get at the fresh markets or fruit stands).
B.C, Canada- all dressed chips...(also ketchup, and dill), Coffee Crisp chocolate bar..oh there are lots of goodies like that.
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You guys are the best!
I just thought about another one of my favorites that I had in Chicago that I can't find anywhere.
Garrett's popcorn shop on Michigan Avenue has the most incredible caramel and cheese popcorn mix. It sounds like an unappetizing mix but I became addicted after trying it. I can't find a popcorn place that matches it and I've seen lines of 100 people outside the place waiting in the snow and frigid cold for their popcorn.
It's probably better off that I don't have one nearby in the Scottsdale area.
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In New England, we have some of the best very best food, but we don't have Krispy Kreme Donuts. I just love those things!
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Have you ever had a texas weiner? You'd never want hot dogs after.
A meat pastie from Tasmania (little meat pies)
Maryland lump backfin crab cakes made with Old Bay seasoning.
Stone crab claws
Gertrude Hawk's chocolates.
potato pancakes.
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I'm amazed I haven't seen this listed yet, but I haven't found Sopaipillas outside of New Mexico. Once in a while a southwestern restaurant will list them on the menu, but they are never very good. I love them drizzled with honey for dessert. Whenever I visit relatives in Albuquerque, I make sure I get sopaipillas with every meal!
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Best thing about NJ-the tomatoes
Try them with fresh (still warm) mozzarella, olive oil & basil
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I haven't found good sopapillas outside New Mexico either, yet they are available in almost every restaurant in NM.
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Marianne's ice cream in Santa Cruz, CA... I'm not a big ice cream fan, but this is the best.
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I love the Crunchie bars in Canada, too, but my favorite Canadian candy bar is Choclairs. Do they still make those??
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I grew up on Marianne's Ice Cream! Mmmmmm
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Back in the 70's, I would walk to JHS 210 in Queens and often stopped at a corner grocery store for egg creams and some kind of candy called "halvah"???? I live in the midwest now and SO miss the Italian ices, egg creams and haven't thought about that "halvah" stuff until this thread. Does anyone know what I'm talking about??? Would love to know exactly what it was I was eating, and would like to try it again.
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Sopaipillas!! Yes, yes, yes!
I'm in CA and i've had them several times here. The Chevy's Restaurants
have them.
I had them In colorado in 1980 and never forgot how wonderful they were.
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Re: HERSHEYs/CADBURYs/wax issue (Linda and Monica) - To my knowledge Hershey's is currently licensed to sell some Cadbury products in the US. Hershey's "could" be bought out by Cadbury or other companies. However, the owner of a British food import store near me said that it is Hershey's not Cadbury's that uses wax in it's products and not vice versa. In my opinion, English chocolate is far superior to American chocolate bars. Hence, I spend WAY too much money buying English choc bars from my two local British stores here in Ohio.
I'm pretty sure that the most of the Cadbury bars that were mentioned as coming from Canada are actually originally English products, such as Crunchie, etc. My favorites are Crunchie, Peppermint Aero, Time Out, Flake, Fry's Orange Cream, Smarties and lots of others.
To Paul and anyone else looking for English chocolate - seek out a British or international food import store as has been mentioned or I found some online sources:
Hope this helps! Ooh, I'm salivating thinking about all these delicious chocolates... think I'll have to go buy some tomorrow! (I'm loving this thread by the way!)
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P.S. I miss those greasy English fish and chips too! Even though my mom is English and travels there every year, I haven't been there in quite a while. The American versions of fish and chips just aren't the same.
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My father retired to Las Vegas from the Phila area a few years ago. He is always complaining that he can't find fried flounder in any of the restaurants there, his favorite.
Misses TastyKake pies terribly. I ship him the pies, but can anyone tell me if there is a restaurant in the vegas area that serves FRIED flounder? Thanks!
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Pennsylvania's Gertrude Hawk Smidgens (They don't sell them near me, but you can buy them online! www.gertrudehawk.com) and Middleswarth Potato Chips. so much better than Utz, Lays, etc. Philly cheese steaks. Good homemade pierogies.
Man those PA folks know how to cook.
Lemon Fanta soda - it's best in Eastern Europe. I managed to find it here in the US once, but it's just not the same
Southern US - sweet tea and beignets
Spain - churros con chocolate - similar to donuts and served with really thick hot chocolate. mmmm.
Austria and Germany - apple strudel.
Now I'm really hungry!
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Kristin, Halveh is a middle eastern candy made from sesame seeds. A company called Joyvah sells it in bars, wrapped like a chocolate bar.
I never had a Googoo Cluster until I went to Nashville. Now we have a friend in Tennessee who sends them to us occasionally.
In Maine, there's a place in Lisbon Falls that sells Moxie ice cream, and a Moxie cheesecake was served at the Moxie Congress clam bake this summer. It was yummy. Of course, Moxie soda (the first soda) is still available in New England and missed by many who leave this area.
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Wow, "ja" really jogged my memory re. the tropical fuits. I lived in the Philippines for a year as an exchange student when I was a teen and there are soooo many things I miss:
mangosteen - a tropical fruit
otap - a kind of cookie from Cebu
Sans Rival cake from Blue Ribbon Bakery in Makati
lechon kawali - a crispy pork dish
Magnolia mango ice cream
I gained 15 lbs that year!!!
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I agree with one of the previous posters about those nutella and banana crepes in Paris - absolute heaven.
Anyone know where I can get a great crepe in Chicago?
This thread is awesome and brings back a lot of childhood memories.
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To Ann: I've never heard of Moxie soda, what does it taste like? Very interesting thread!
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You will love Le Creperie on North Clark Street (north of Diversey). Century Mall is across the street and this place is authentic and has dinner crepes as well as dessert crepes.
Very rustic and romantic with a great outdoor patio area.
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Elfie, check out the official Moxie Congress web page at:
It tastes sort of like rootbeer with a strange aftertaste. It's an aquired taste! The History Channel did a show called America Drinks a few years ago (it was rerun last weekend I believe) and there's a section on soft drinks featuring Moxie. It's very New England.
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Beaver tails
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Another one for beignets from Cafe Du Monde
Those smoked turkey legs at Disney World
Hot dogs from the street venders in New York
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The gelato I had in Italy was the best. I haven't found one in the States that has compared.
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Thanks Dan!
I have heard of Le Creperie on Clark Street and will definitely try it out. I am dreaming of French crepes right now.
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Ann---thx for the info on halveh----I'll be contacting the Joyvah Co. to find out where I can purchase those---you're right---there WAS chocolate involved somehow!!!
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I'm a hankerin' for a big ball of string cheese.
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I come from the Midwest and have never seen gooey butter coffee cake anywhere but St Louis. It is disgustingly sweet but wonderful with a glass of milk or cup of coffee.
Little further north, the Chicago style pizza cannot be beat. Also remember getting great Italian beef sandwiches from a little stand near University of Illinois Chicago. And I will second LaCreperie on Clark street..
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Oh Sam I love Gertrude Hawk's chocolates. Thank you for telling me that I can get them online.
Yes Pennsylvania does have some great ethnic cooking. Pierogies (potato and butter in soft little pillows) Ohhhh so good
Philly cheesesteaks
Texas weiners - little hot dogs with meat sauce and onions
That's taking me back - top all that with a nice ice cream cone (chocolate marshmallow) or a chocolate marshmallow peanut (cmp) sundae from Manning's Dairy.
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Sara, we (my family and I) also saw those turkey legs in WDW. It was impressionant. I never saw something such big like that for to eat in public (I am from Europe). We also wanted to buy one because it looked very tasty, but there was such a long waiting line that we gave up.It is a pitty.
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Definitely Philly Cheese steaks. Also New England Clam chowdah - it's not the same anywhere else. Maryland crab cakes too.
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what about Fried Green Tomatoes, and fried potatoe cakes, from the south, and that good ole sweet tea
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-hot weiners, providence, RI (only should have one late at night)
-popovers, Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park
-Wasatch Beer, Salt Lake City, Utah. I have no reason why we loved it so much, but I crave it sometimes.
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The best sopaipillas in the universe can be eaten at La Posta restaurant in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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John! You just brought back an incredible memory--is LaPosta still alive and well? My husband and I lived in Cruces for a little over four years but had to leave the area and return to the east coast in 1997 because I couldn't find a job in that area to save my life. I still miss the area, and LaPosta was our favorite place for a nice Mexican dinner. I second your vote for the sopaipillas--they're the best! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
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I'm originally from Iowa (currently live in MN). I've found that outside of Iowa it's tough to find good pork chops or pork tenderloin sandwiches. I have found them on menus, but it's just not the same. They don't call them Iowa Chops for nothing!
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What a great thread! Some of my favorites are:
- Maryland crab/crab cakes
- Conch & stone crab claws from Florida
- Fresh pastries & Sacher Torte from Vienna
BTW, for those of you who are looking for foreign foods here in the U.S., if you are ever in Cincinnati, stop at Jungle Jim's Market (www.junglejims.com). They have THE best selection of foreign foods from around the world.
English candy lover: What & where are the British stores you go to in OH?!?
Marsha: Don't know where you live in the midwest, but Columbus has some top-notch Japanese grocery stores and restaurants, due to the large Honda presence here. If you're ever here, check out Seafood Japan in NW Columbus. They have the BEST take-out sushi . . . it's made in-store by their master chefs.
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Vernor's soda - it is the best - can't find it around NYC (if you can let me know)
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I've also been looking for Vernor's soda in NYC. Can anyone help us out?
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First time I had it was in San Francisco.
Can't get a decent papaya on the east coast. They must spoil coming across the rockies...
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Nutella, Toblerone and marzipan in Germany! The stuff they sell over here just doesn't taste the same.
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Really good key lime pie
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Gooey Butter Cake from Lake Forest bakery in Clayton Missouri.
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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheesecake from the Cheese Cake Factory Restaurant (we had ours in LA, but I know they're in other cities as well--just not anywhere near us !)....
The pretzels at Cedar Point....
The Cobb Salad at the Brown Derby Restaurant at the MGM Studio at Disney World....
Tonga in Disney World or Disneyland (although it's not called that there)....
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Fried whole claims w/the bellies. I've only tasted those on the northeast coast.
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Glad I'm not traveling with Patricia - Disneyworld and Cheesecake Factory are your favorite travel related food memories? You really need to expand your travels beyond the Walmart parking lot.
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There is a huge chocalaty ice cream bar sold in New Zealand, called a, "Memphis Meltdown". The funny thing is that they use a caricature of a good ol' boy Southern cop in the all the commercials.
Cadbury sells 'Yowies' in Australia. They are simple chocolate eggs, shaped to look like several odd creatures, but the important thing is the tiny 6 to 8 piece model kit inside that you put together to make a nicely-detailed Australian animal. There must be a hundred different models, and folks trade/buy/sell them as collectors items (check 'em out on eBay!). We like assembling the animals while munching on the chocolate!
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Gelato in Rome, Black Butte Porter in Oregon, Fried Halibut and Corn Fritters in Anchorage, Abalone with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar in Ixtapa, Squid Salad in Todos Santos, Steamed Blue Crab on the Chesapeake Bay, Double Cola, Cheerwine, Marionberry anything in Oregon, Hazlenut pie in Oregon, Poke in Hawaii, Barbeque in N.C., Shave ice in Hawaii or Italy, (Lexington or Down East style).
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Rainbow Cake from Baltimore MD.
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Kristin, I always thought Halavah was like Marzipan and was an almond paste not sesame seed. Its still sold in new jersey at a restaurant called Eppes Essen in Livingston, New Jersey
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Taylor ham, egg & cheese sandwiches from NJ!
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Yeah, I expected some criticism for my response...but, hey, I was being completely honest. Would I repeat the Hungarian Goulash I had at Spago in Beverly Hills last week if I had the chance? Not really. It was great, but what my mind keeps going back to is the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheesecake we had the next day... So, if you want to find fault, I guess it would be with my culinary tastes, rather than my repertoire of dining experiences. To each his own.
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Buttermilk pancakes with real maple syrup! I live in the UK and our pancakes suck in comparison,and we have maple syrup substitute.
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When I was working in London several years ago I became enamoured of the Sweet Corn and Tuna sandwiches! YUMMY! When you tell Americans about it - they all think is sounds gross, but it is great!
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It's practically in my backyard, so I *could* get it anytime I want, but only in Rhode Island can you get two things I've grown to love: Del's Lemonade (frozen, slushy Italian Ice) and Autocrat Coffee Milk. mmmmmm
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Andersons split pea soup.
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We live in Europe, so the food I miss is what I used to have at home, Pennsylvania Dutch cooking like Moravian cake and chicken with waffles plus regular American staples like barbecue baby back ribs, sweet corn on the cob, soft ice cream. Thanksgiving is a tough one for expats because it's virtually impossible to find acorn squash and it's not a holiday, anyway. We're hoping to move from our apartment to a house/townhouse with a yard and then grow our own sweet corn and squash.
BTilke (Brussels)
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Clam Chowder in a loaf of bread at Pismo beach.
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Love this thread. Now I'm so hungry!
Here's a few of my favorites:
Chocolate Eclairs & Fresh Hot Croussants (Sp?) from Paris. Bangers & Mash from Bath, England. New England Clam Chowder from Boston. Conch from St. Martin/Marteen. Texas Hot Weiners from Kingston, NY.
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Gnochi in Florence were great - with butter sage sauce, tomato sauce or pesto - they were all very good. They are like little potato dumplings and cooked in water like pasta
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To Anita -
You can find otap at the Filipino stores and almost any Filipino restaurant has lechon kawali on their menu. You can also get sans rival from Filipino bakeries. I've never seen mangosteen here. But if you're looking for singkamas, you use the Mexican jicama which is essentialy the same thing. When I was in the Philippines last May I noticed that Magnolia has more "american" flavors now than local fruit. I had avocado ice cream and kalamansi-lychee sorbet from Arce and they were the best. I also found a great recipe for lecho kawali so I can amke my own.
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This thread is sensational!
Pastrami sandwiches in a bun in L.A. and on rye in NYC (Katz Deli).
Beignets & chicory coffee in New Orleans, along with fresh boiled shrimp & crab, and roast beef po boy sandwiches.
Scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream at Dromoland Castle near Ennis in Ireland. Also their brown bread.
Gelato anywhere in Italy!
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Dan: Supermarkets carry Anderson's Split Pea soup in the canned soup section. Where is the best clam chowder in Pismo Beach?
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Thanks for some great food finds. You reminded me of the most wonderful scones and jam with fresh whipped cream that I had on Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) at Little Dix Bay.
I am having wonderful flashbacks of eating those scones while gazing at the turquoise water.
Great thread!
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Here in TX we have Monte Cristo sandwiches at two chains, Bennigans and The Mason Jar. I don't know if these chains are everywhere. Hope this helps someone get a good sandwich. Monte Cristo is my favorite!
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Anyone try Mac Pies on the Big Island? They really get you with those samples. I walked out of there with 10 pies to take home.
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Hatch Green Chili anything in Las Cruces, NM
You can find great Monte Cristo's at The Lodge in Cloudcroft, NM (or used to be able too)
And yes I too love Puerto Rican Mofango!!!
And Texas still has the best Chicken Fried Steak!
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About a block from the pier on the right hand side.
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The name of the resteurant is the Splash Cafe one block from the pier.
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I just got back from Chicago and went to Mr. Beef on Orleans. I had the best Italian beef sandwich in my life.
It's a hole in the wall and there is no table service so you just eat these sandwiches standing up at the counter with the juice just dripping all over the wax paper.
I was tempted to bring one with me on the plane to Tampa but didn't think the person next to me would appreciate au jus dripping all over their seat.
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can someone please tell me what chicken fried steak is.
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Chicken fried steak is a thin breaded piece of steak that is fried to a crunchy outside and then country gravy is poured over the top. Yum!
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Lappert's Mint Ice Cream and Shave Ice on Kauai
Fresh Freash Fresh RED RED RED Ahi
Just comes a purple color on the east coast.
Hawaiian Sun and Aloha maid juices.
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GELATO (Italy)
The variety of Cadbury chocolates--mint, butterscotch, caramel, etc. (UK, Ireland, etc.)
All vending machine items in Japan (hot chocolate, iced and hot coffees, corn soup, etc.)
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Top Dogs from the stand just off Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, awesome hotdogs! The best here at home are at Costco for goodness sake.
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Before anyone says anything...I just realized that the original post said "regional"--I previously thought the topic was foods found outside the U.S. that you couldn't get home (U.S. being home).
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sweet corn from the roadside stands in southern Michigan. No other corn I have tried comes close.
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Chicken Wings (Buffalo)
Bialys (NYC)
Knishes (NYC)
Pizza (NYC)
Beef On A Weck (Buffalo)
Gator Parmigiana (Florida)
Pommes Frites (Germany)
Bulgogi (Korea)
Key Lime Pie (Key West)
Kona Coffee (Hawaii)
Opah & Onaga (Hawaii)
Fish Tacos (San Diego)
BBQ (Kansas City)
Gelato (Italy)
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Bundaberg Rum and XXXX Gold beer from Queensland Australia
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Scottish pastries!
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Hawaii- Lapperts Ice Cream!!!!!!!!!
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that white gravy you guys have in the states,it is so tasty ,gravy in the UK is always dark brown.what is your gravy made from?
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Fat, flour, maybe some stock and pan scrapings, and milk. We don't usually use mixes.
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Packages of uncooked tortillas that you cook up fresh as you need them. They are all over HEB stores in South Texas, but not found in Durango, Colorado. Last time I visited my family, I bought 4 packages and froze them, but it's only a month later and they're almost gone. I may have to learn how to make tortillas from scratch, because these things have spoiled me.
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This is my kind of thread!
Rose Petal Jelly and Croissants in Victoria, BC ... Caesar's (a blood mary made with Clamato) anywhere in Canada ... Pastrami on Rye in NYC ... Anyone ever heard of Hoffman's Chocolate Soda (NY)? Could it be that I'm remembering it wrong, and it was Canfield's? And, how come no one's mentioned my hometown favorite -- Dungeness (Washington) Crab!?! Beats Maine lobster, any day!
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For those of you in the Washington DC metro area, Rodman's Gourmet Supermarket on the Rockville Pike has a huge inventory of gourmet foods and alcohols from all over the world. During the Christmas holiday season they get large shipments of european sweets, so I get a lot of exotic stocking stuffers there.
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finally the great american gravy mystery solved.
you guys make it with milk!!
our's is all beef stock thats why its dark brown.
thanks for that I shall make some today.
what shall I have it with? suggestions welcome.
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I hope this thread never ends!! What a joy to read.
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Rhode Island Hot Weiners ( pronounced... weinies). They are different than chili dogs.. heavenly combo of hotdog, cinnamon flavored meat sauce, mustard, celery salt and lots and lots of onions on a steamed bun. I remember the used to be 15 cents each.. now about $1.50 but you can't eat em... and they leave a lovely lingering scent in your car.
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Good news for those of you looking for some type of soda pop you haven't seen in years or can't get at home. You can order it from Galco's. They have soda made with its original recipes and in glass bottles. If you live in or are visiting Los Angeles, you should head on over. They will ship it anywhere as well. The website is www.galcos.com.
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Someone mentioned ahi from Hawaii. The website buygreatfish.com will ship you fresh fish including ahi from Hawaii with next day delivery. They have many of the more exotic varieties like ono. There's an amazing amount of food available via the web if you search hard enough.
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7 years after our trip, we still remember the Taro quesadillas in Kauai.
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a good greek salad with tsatziki (sp?)
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I visit Topsail Beach, NC three weeks a year. I relish the delicious hushpuppies and grits that you can eat in Carolina, food that is foreign to my native Maryland. The country ham you get in the Carolinas is also far superior to what restaurants have in the Washington metro area.
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ttt'd per request!
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Tahitian poisson cru! I can make it but it's hard to get fresh coconut back home year round.
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Can't beat the fresh wild salmon in Alaska. It can't compare to the farmed Atlantic salmon. Is the farmed salmon available across the US?
Isn't it wonderful to have a thread of over 200 postings that are on the topic???
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In n Out Burger!!!!
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The amazing tomatoes and corn from Bartlett Farm on Nantucket. The best anywhere. I have never had tomatoes that taste as good.
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Mmm, food!
1. Hawaiian shave ice with azuki (sp?) beans
2. Key lime pie (the REAL deal) at Camille's in Key West, Florida
3. The crab cakes at Hamilton's in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Actually, I live in Virginia but in the southwestern part of it where decent seafood is nonexistant.)
My brother lives in NYC and apparently people up there LOVE Tasty Cakes, esp. the peanut butter ones. They don't get them up there, though.
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Thanks to each and every one of you for making this thread so great.
If anyone has unique food websites for local delicacies please share them like Sven did about buygreatfish.com
Thanks again for sharing your favorites.
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Sweet-hots in Texas. Can't find them anywhere else.
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jambon et fromage...any cafe in paris
fish & chips...stratford upon avon, england
pinks hot dog...l.a, california
thank god i live close to nyc so i won't miss the bagels, pizza, ice tea, knishes, burgers at pauls on 2nd avenue...
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Martine, you might try looking for a yam. Here in the States sweet potatoes and yams are virtually interchangeable, but actually they are (slightly) different.
On our thanksgiving holiday many people fix baked sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows (a sickeningly sweet confection) and, yes, theyre disgusting!
But fixed as you did, fried in a light oil, theyre pretty good. Mash them with a fork and top with real butter, salt and black pepper.
I think yams are originally from Africa, so maybe a good international market might have them.
The food that Ive tried, traveling in London, that I cant get here is called a doner kabob, the ones made with lamb! To die for!
Also, little balls of ginger preserved in heavy syrup (also English)...
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OMG .. Tastykakes, yum! The Butterscotch Krimpets are the ultimate. No other snackin' cake even comes close.
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What are butterscotch krimpets and where can you get them?
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LoveThis, Tastykakes are a Northeast thing, I think they're mostly around the Philadelphia area. Tastykakes are YUMMY little baked confections, cupcakes and so forth and they all have unusual names. Butterscotch Krimpets are sort of twinkie-shaped, but without globs of fluff inside, and they have a perfect butterscotch frosting on top. Come 3 to a pack. Scrumptious. They also make another delish thing called Peanut Butter Tandy Takes (see what I mean about weird names?) They're just cupcakes with choc frosting and peanut butter inside, but they're so good. I don't know what it is about Tastykakes but they inspire deep devotion among people who loved them as kids. I live in another city now and no one here has ever heard of Tastykakes. You can't even compare other commercially baked cakes, like Drake's or Hostess, because they're just not the same. Sorta like the difference between Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme.
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abc, you don't have to go to Paris to get jambon et fromage. You can get ham and cheese anywhere !!!
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New Mexico Green Chiles on:
Pepperoni Pizza, omelets, cheeseburgers, stew etc...
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Pickled Halibut on Halibut Cove near Homer, Alaska. Wonderful!
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Bel Paese cheese in little round foil packets---common in Northern Italy for breakfast. Not the kind manufactured in the U.S. Must have the map of Italy on the foil wrapper. Anyone have a source in California Bay area? It's the best!
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Lobster (oh so tender) at Key Largo Westin.
Fried banana chips from the little hut on that oh-so-dangerous road from Maui airport to Kapalua Bay.
Lavender-flavored soft icecream at Furano, Japan.
Boston: Legal's little necks, Pho Pasteur's beef noodle soup and steamed rolls!!!
Superb (but really cheap) chicken satays at the beachfront stalls in Pantai Cenang.
Minced crabmeat atop super-smooth steamed eggs at Shanghai.
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Hardshell Maine Lobsters
Full-belly clams in cracker meal breading
Clam cakes
Wild blueberries
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Oh my...I forgot to add: Pork Pies (Tourtieres). A Christmas Eve tradition.
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Nova: Yes, you can get ham and cheese anywhere, but it just isn't the same as jambon et fromage (could it be that just being in France makes the difference?
Kam: I too have looked for the Bel Paese cheese that I ate in northern Italy (altho I didn't recall the name). Didn't pay much attention to the foil package, was too busy ripping it open to get to that wonderfully soft delicious cheese!
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Almond Joy chocolate bars. Mmmmm...
Not available in Ontario Canada.
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I know that I'm supposed to write what I've had other places that I can't get at home, but I have to agree the Katz's pastrami sandwich (melts in you mouth) and chocolate egg cream is a NY classic (138 or so years of making them there it's an institution!) Also have to agree with Taylor Ham from New Jersey especially fried. Many years ago there was a Department store in Queens called Gertz, they had a coffee shop that made frozen custard with either chocolate syrup or strawberry syrup. Unbelieveable.
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Royal red shrimp swimming in garlic butter at the "Redneck Riviera", specifically Perdido Key.
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Goo-Goo clusters, found them while visiting a boyfriend in Tennessee and have never fallen out of love (with the Goo Goo clusters) ditto for Pralines (spelling?) and beignets from New Orleans...just great.
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Michelle, I had to chuckle reading your post. Should I take it to mean that you did fall out of love with the boyfriend?
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I am a transplant from Massachusetts to Virginia and miss Blue Seal Kielbasa and Millie's Perogi, fortunately I can order them on line!
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I never liked IceCream until this year in Italy. GELATO! I don't know what they do differently but I ate three 2 scoop cups every day for two weeks. Then had to come home and go through withdrawl. I live in New Orleans if anyone wants anything mailed to you. If you pay the postage, I will get it for you. Also loved the Caprese Salad in Italy and the Bruschetta(bread with olive oil toasted). The food in Italy was fantastic.
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Berthillon ice cream in Paris which has very intense flavors. Anyone know if it is available anywhere in the US?
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On the island of Dominica in the Caribbean (not the Dominican Republic mind you) the local food is excellent, period. We chanced upon a village festival going on in one of the little fishing villages and had the best fried red snapper which was just caught fresh, cleaned right there, seasoned and fried in what is known as a coalpot (that must be the secret to the taste) - I have not had such awesome tasting fish since.
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I'm originally from Chicago, I live in Florida now. I really miss Gyros that are cut from the spit that I grew up eating in Chicago.
Kristin: you can find Halvah at any Jewish deli in Chicago.
Monte Cristo's can be found at any greasy spoon in Chicago.
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The 3/4 pound mega-dog at Westward Ho in Las Vegas. I get one every day I'm there, the best food deal in town. Sadly, they're up to $1.49 now.
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Any Graeters Ice Cream and Cincinnati Chili, Skyline or Gold Star.
Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa.
Cheesesteaks in Philly, "you want cheese on 'nat???"
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nova, true but the french bread, the french butter, and sitting in a street corner cafe? hmmmm....
to all the threadlovers longing for maine. me too...for blueberrys, go to jordan's in bar harbor maine. and miguels has the best mole sauce!
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Kam -
I'm also looking for Bel Paese cheese and can't find it. You brought back some memories of my trip to Italy. Anyone know where I could get it in Chicago?
I miss loukoumades in Greece which are small honey dipped fried doughnuts. They are served hot and the honey oozes out. Again, anyone know where I could get loukoumades in Chicago?
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You could probably go over to Greektown in Chicago and find any authentic Greek cuisine to your liking. I haven't spent a lot of time there, so I don't know if they have the loukoumades you are craving.
Go to the West Loop--Halsted St between Madison and Van Buren (or thereabouts).
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apple bananas and sugarloaf pineapples from Hawaii
cheese curds from Wisconsin
shoo fly pie from PA Dutch country
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Abbot Frozen Custard in Rochester, NY. On Lake Ontario.
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Hawaii-apple bananas-had them on the plane and in Hawaii. Are they available on the mainland?
Colorado-wild blackberries during a hike
Oklahoma-local favorites-Sid's Diner in El Reno-coney made with chili and sweet/mustard slaw. Addivtive!!
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We have apple bananas at the grocery stores in San Diego. But I have never tried one, I guess I will!
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here we go:
1:main lobster @ main
2:breadbowl chowder @S.F
3:cuban sand. @ miami
4uck @ la tour d'argent in paris
5:chilliman chilli in midwest
6:horseshoe sand. (heartattack waiting to happen) open face burger top with fries and drenched in cheese sauce and anything more you like @ springfield illinoise
7:king crab legs @bob chins crabhouse
in chicago
8:fresh swordfish @ bollock island and NE
happy hunting for your favorite food.
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I am originally from the North Shore of Massachuesetts and whenever I get back home I make a pilgramage to The Clam Box(the 1930's bulding is actually shaped like a cardboard take-out box). It is located on Rt. A1A north side of Ipswich and serves the best fried seafood on Earth: lightly battered fresh shrimp, scollops, calamari, cod and, of course, clams (big-bellies for the initiated only)and don't forget chowder and onion rings. Wickahd good!
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the fresh ahi tuna in maui, and proscuttio (sp?) in italy...just doesn't taste the same when i've gotten it in the US...
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A myriad of fresh French cheeses.
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Fried Chicken from Four Square Tavern in Edwardsburg, MI. The restuarant is a hole in the wall but the chicken is SOOOOOO good.!
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Fried Alaskan Halibut chunks at Alaska Land in Fairbanks. Yum!!!!!!!!
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Cheeseburger from the IceBerg Restaurant in Walla Walla, Washington. Oh boy!!!!
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1. Fresh Maine Lobster
2. Real English clotted cream and scones
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HAWAII-Underground pig,rice pudding
LOUISVILLE KY-Shrimp grits
THE SOUTH-BQ pork shoulder
GERMANY-Liquid food,beer made by monks
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Rossette with butter on a baguette in
France; Friendly's ice cream;a NYC vendor's hot dog with mustard;Fried John Dory in Sydney,Australia;Bahamian pineapple; Rhode Island brown bread; vanilla ice cream on a warm waffle while window shopping along Copenhagen's Stroget;Frank and Theresa's Buffalo chicken wings
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lobster rolls in Maine
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Just returned from Kauai, brought back two jars of Aunt Lilikoi's passion fruit butter. Delish!
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Things from Wisconsin that I can't get now:
Friday Night Fish Frys
Frozen Custard
Grilled Brats
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Queso! KT's in Louisville, KY has the best queso and chips I've ever had. I know you can get queso a lot of places in the US, but it's not to be found in Seattle or surrounding areas.
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Runza sandwich in Nebraska! Good Stuff
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We can't get In n Out burgers in Oregon
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You can get Vernors delivered to your house from www.vernors.com My husband loves the stuff
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Profiteroles in Paris (in a cafe outside Napoleon's tomb I want to say...)
and I completely ditto the GELATO from anywhere in Italy!!!
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balut. a cooked chicken embryo still in the egg. (only in the Phillipines). didn't think i would like it but i do. Also koko-retch (sp?) a Turkish delicacy- stomach lining of a lamb wound around a kabob and fire rotisseried and dipped into dry spices. yummy!
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jennifer, what a great thread! food is my fave subject!
i'm from hawaii, currently in london, england. these are some of the things i miss!
fried ahi poke (sam choy's, hawaii)
portuguese sausage
chicken-fried steak
fried oyster po'boys from new orleans
taro chips (i have seen some in london as part of a new 'exotic crisps' bag, but i can't see paying $6 for a bag of chips...well, ok, maybe once in awhile)
amish-style apple dumpling/pie (reading terminal market, philly)
after reading all the posts i am soooo looking forward to going to NE next week...all that lovely seafood to try!
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MMMMM the seafood pizza in Bali, indonesia.. all fresh local shrimp and fish chunks on a litly toasted pizza pie.. 12 inches for $3.
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At Montevideo , Uruguay:
"Chivitos canadienses"!!! (kind or a steak sandwich, but to "die for"!!) they are called "canadienses" because they have canadian bacon.(other ingredients are:minute steaks, mayo, lettuce, green and red pepper, hard boiled eggs, etc. etc...oh!! I want one right now!!)
And for dessert sambayon (zabaglione)
or dulce de leche ice cream!
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Sweet iced tea and properly made grits you can only find in Alabama, Georgia and Northwest Florida, home of the redneck riviera.
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Cadbury hot chocolate mix--after lots of looking, finally found a tiny little store in Dallas with British foods
Fresh corn in Kansas--it is so sweet
Fish tacos at The Cheesecake Factory
Cheese steak at The Picle Barrell in Bozeman, Montana
I had to tell a waitress in Washington D.C. how to make ice tea years ago.
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Cheese grits with Spicy Shrimp and Ham and Scallions at Red Bone Alley in Florence, SC
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Beignets at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans.
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Also..lobster in Maine and crabs at the Waterman in Rock Hall, Maryland.
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Since we can include out of US..I gotta say Steak Florentine in the Chianti region of Italy.
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A northshore Massachusetts rare roast beef sandwich with barbeque sauce on a burger bun.
Can't even get that in New Hampshire!
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REAL Philadelphia soft pretzels, not that junk you buy at shopping malls but real thick, covered with course salt, warm, soft, goooooooooood...........
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As an english person visiting New England I would have so say clam chowder, which was gorgeous. My kids love Tootsie rolls. However, the Salt Water Taffie was disgusting!
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For those of you who are craving that wonderful Bel Paese cheese from northern Italy, go to iGourmet.com. You can order it there.
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Wichita Falls, Texas - Famous Enchiladas from Pioneer Restaurant
Also, Butch's Beach Burrito - Grand Haven, MI.
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Peach juice
in Turkey, Japan, and Brazil.
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New York hard rolls, for sandwiches or breakfast. Also called kaiser rolls there. Why can't New England bakeries make them? They LOOK the same but have no crust and no flavor. Is it the water?
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stuff I like a lot and can't get in nyc:
-montreal bagels (how come nobody mentioned those??)and smoked meat from swartz's
-poh-piah -nyonya snack dish (singapore), I found them in a couple of restos here in ny, but they're far off from the real thing
-philly cheesesteak (but a drive to philly from time to time solves this)
-pulled pork (forgot the name, the baked underground kind) in hawaii
-gelato in venice- never liked it before
-beignets and chicory coffee
-oysters from acme in NO, never liked them before or after
re: halvah, it depends on the country of origin, turkish halvah is made from sunflower seeds in many varietes: cocoa, pistachio or plain
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I don't know if they still make it, but when I was a kid in Nawlins (early 80s) there was a soda called Dr. Nut that you could only get in a few places. Ignatius J. Reilly drinks it in "A Confederacy of Dunces".
Boiled peanuts in the south. Even here in Texas they're hard to find except in a can, and that just isn't the same.
The best hot dog EVER from some hole in the wall in Chicago. Wish I could remember the name. And pizza with a butter crust at some pizza chain with a sports theme?
Conch peas in Florida. Can't find them the same anywhere else. Similiar to cream or crowder peas.
Ditto to pastrami sandwiches from Katz's.
Had a lobster roll in Maine at the stand in Kennebunkport that supposedly started it all. Love lobster, but the appeal of the lobster roll was lost on me. A bun, and cold lobster. Maybe it was an off day.
Krystal hamburgers, not available everywhere. And ditto on In-and-Out Burger in L.A., and Dick's in Seattle.
Sauerkraut balls at Wunsche Brothers Cafe in Old Town Spring, Tx.
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I think there is probably something every place I have ever been that comes to mind. From this amaizing ice cream I had at a soft serve place in Wisconsin to seared ahi the quality of which I never ever see on the east coast.
I would have to say though that I crave authentic Italian food from Italy the most. Everything I find in New York City seems to be richer/harsher in flavor/greese and less of blend that you would find in Italy. I don't get a chance to go to Italy often (two trips only) but the memories of the food stay with me. Well that Wisconsin trip was probably 20 years ago and I can still taste that soft serve ice cream cone!
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southern pralines
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From Italy: Potato pizza (no tomato sauce,no cheese, just thinly sliced potatoes,olive oil, garlic and other spices) - SOOO good.
From Belgium: Cote d'Or milk chocolate. I can occasionally get it in Canada and I always stock up. Also Stoovlees (sp ?) - a beef stew made with beer, Belgian frites,tomate aux crevettes (sp?) (tomato stuffed with shrimp)
From UK: real cornish pasties,scone from Badger's Holt in Dartmoor (the best ever - a giant scone,real clotted cream,amazing preserves)
From Greece: Just caught freshly grilled kalimari at a small taverna by the beach
From Venezuela: Coco frio (a frozen coconut); coconut ice cream
From Mexico: avocado stuffed with tuna salad,sopa de lima (lime soup)
I could go on but I am now starving.
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Stone crab from a place in Naples florida called Capt. Kirby's (or something like that) they had stone crab that were HUGE.. I would buy them and eat them for breakfast!!
But when I went back last spring they were gone!!!! If any one knows where they went please let me know. I will be back looking for them in April.
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I used to live in Peoria - we called horseshoes Heartburn on a plate. (a horseshoe is an open face sandwich with beef, chicken, or ham, topped with french fries and day-glo yellow-orange cheese sauce, then jalapenos.)
Vernor'e ginger ale got me through two pregnancies - for some reason, every other soda taseted too sweet.
I also love seafood from roadside places and family restaurants. I live in the midwest and envy anyone who lives near a source of fresh seafood. I think we keep ending up with beach vacations because of the seafood.
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Though plenty of restaurants serve Ahi I have yet to find any that serve Ono outside of the Hawaiian Islands. Love Ahi and it's redily available but Ono is quite a different fish so light and yummy. And now that everyone is shying away form the nearly endagered Chilean Sea Bass our choices are limited to ahi, salmon, halibut and swordfish.
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Flying Fish. Fresh caught and grilled. While on a snorkel/scuba trip in Barbados. Delish! Also, blood oranges from Tuscany region - Italy. Not the same in the states - at least by my experience.
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Blenheim gingerale from NC
grilled brat & deepfried cheese curds from Green Bay,Wi
I thought I was the only one who goes to the food store as a travel highlight.My friends make fun of me for it.
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6-pack cans of sparkling apple cider from British Columbia. Yum!
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Chicken Mole in the little Mexican cafes along the border in El Paso.
San Miguel beer in the Phillipenes (the SM in the US is a pale imitation(pun intended).
Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream in Hawaii.
Fresh Halibut or Salmon in Alaska.
Coor's beer in the brewery in Golden (but nowhere else).
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Fudge lovers, Murdick's Fudge on Mackinac Island, MI (they have order forms), Mrs. Fishers potato chips made in Rockford, Illinois, and no longer with us are Made-Rites from Rockford,(I think "Loose Meat Sandwich" is like this) and Vanilla Phosphates and Green Rivers from my childhood soda fountain. It has been so many years, who knows if they were really that good! Also my mom's Mince Meat Pie and Grandma's sandwich spread. (I have recipes). Ok, now I'm getting all choked up.
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libster where is Murdick's Fudge is that Doug Murdick? I did not see a listing for Mackinau Island. And why not share those recipes?????? A spread? I am hungry. And Cherry Chocolate fudge, mmmmmmmm!!!!
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Mackinac seems to be known for their fudge and you can watch them do this fancy stuff with it on a marble slab. Any fudge there is good, but Murdick's seems to be one of the main fudge places. Another good fudge place is Door County, WI. While in Door County, don't miss a fish boil!
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I smiled as I read Roger's note about North Carolina fare. My husband has country ham for breakfast every morning when we're in the outer banks, and then guzzles water for the rest of the day. It's so salty!
Also, I had an awesome stuffed baked potato in Beaufort, NC! I know that a potato doesn't sound all that special, but it was a huge potato, stuffed with barely cooked vegetables, and covered with a delicious sauce. The nostalgic-style restaurant had a catchy name for the dish, but I can't remember it. It was great!
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moved to Pittsburgh so I miss my Southern favorites...
good NC bbq, real husbpuppies, brewed SWEET TEA....I have been perfecting my tea making ever since I moved up here...thank goodness for the new Cracker Barrel and Chick Fil A--they have SWEET TEA! GRITS--my favorite white vermont cheddar cheese grits from Spanky's in Chapel Hill.
We finally got a Krispy Kreme so that isn't a problem--just not worth waiting in line for an hour to get them! I know what they taste like
From AUSTRALIA--I miss LEMON LIFT or LEMON SQUASH as it was referred too a lot. TIM TAMS and all of the CADBURY chocolate confections...my favorite is the NUT CARAMEL. OF course everything tasted better straight from the CADBURY Factory in Tasmania! Scones with cream (whipped butter like substance) Hot Tea, Rock Bare Wines
We don't have a California Pizza Kitchen either and I have cravings for Kung Pao Spaghetti
hmmm what else....
MEXICAN food in a restaurant run by real Mexicans....I want a guy who can barely speak english taking my order...
I have never figured out how to make that Queso dip! My trips to NC always consist of 1 trip to a mexican restaurant--should have a catchy name like El Rodeo, El Cancun, Dos Amigos etc...
it is usually on the Golden Corral buffet--along with those soft big fat yeast rolls and honey butter...mmmmmm
ok now I am starving and my husband has mystery dinner reservations at 7:30. I am guessing it is Italian--maybe Buca Di Beppo.
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I'm in my mid-twenties and have across the states and europe and one item came to mind. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but my vote goes to the maryland blue crab. It cold have been sitting at a small crab shake on the bay and sitting on a picnic table and watching the fishing boats go out, but by far my favorite. I consider revisiting the D.C. area just for the crabs.
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I agree about the fudge from Mackinac Island (my daughter's in-laws live on the island). My favorite is the raspberry-chocolate.
We still get Made-Rite potato chips. The old Made-Rite plant in Bay City, MI has changed hands and has a new name, but they are still selling chips under the Made-Rite name.
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Im near the jersey shore and I think Johnson's caramel corn is the best on OC Boardwalk and hot,fresh cinnamon buns at 8o am at Koehler's Bakery in Avalon, NJ
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A carbonated drink in Manaus, Brazil called Guarana and is pronounced lik guad-a-na. It is hard to describe but it reminded all of us of a fruit/7up drink that foams like root beer or beer. I've been told that it has an ingredient that is not allowed in to the US.
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Going up the Norway coast on the coastal steamer, the Hurtigruten, we got off at each daily stop and had a "softis" at the local "7-11" which was a delicious soft ice cream, and the best food on the whole cruise.
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I'll agree about the Johnson's popcorn on the OC Boardwalk - but as far as Jersey shore baked goods, NOTHING beats a cream-filled donut from Dot's Bakery on Asbury and 32nd in Ocean City. These are a staple in my family - every time we go to the Jersey shore, we each end up showing up at the beach house, with a bag of "Dot's"
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Katie--You can get guarana soda in the U.S. I just had it at a Brazilian restaurant in NYC last week! (The rest. is Rice n' Beans---great) I've only seen Antarctica brand in the States. I liked Tai the best, but I haven't seen it anywhere. You can order guarana Antarctica at www.sendexnet.com. You can order guarana powder and guarana syrup at kayapo.guarana.com. I use the powder and syrup to make guarana-peanut-cashew shakes like the ones I used to get in Maraba (Para). What I miss the most is perfectly ripe and sweet mangoes!
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Serifos island(one of the Greek cycladic islands)had the best iced frothy coffee i have ever had.
Seattle-dick's burgers, paggliacci pizza, and best coconut cream pie at Dahlia Lounge.
Miami-on calle ocho, burgers topped with fries.
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1)Crab salad, sourdough bread, and oysters on the half shell from the Swan Oyster Depot in SF (we've gotten this for take-out to eat on the plane going home)
2)Homemade potato chips with Maytag blue dressing to eat with the martinis in the bar at the Buckhead Diner
3)Breakfast tortillas in Chimayo, N.M.
4)Sno Balls from Hansen's Sno Bliz on Tchoupitoulas in N.O. (is it still there?)
5)French fries with bearnaise sauce at the roadside stands in Belgium
6)Fresh Peach ice cream in Rome
(and Mark, we've taken to making our own ginger ice cream since it's fairly hard to find)
7)Fresh Durian from anyplace in S.E. Asia (the canned stuff available here doesn't compare)
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Arwen, I loved that Greek coffee. I make it at home a lot. Just use crushed ice, nescafe, sugar and shake in a martini shaker. A little milk if you want it white.
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Ah Grasshopper--thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try it at home
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California Pizza Kitchens Tostada Pizza, Pat's steaks in Philadelphia and Wispa Bite candy bars in London!
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Ribollita (bread soup) in Florence, Italy.
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Gniocchi from Tratorria Contadina in San Francisco.
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This is just wonderful. Here are mine (some repeats - thanks for the memories)
New Orleans: Beignets & chicory coffee @ Cafe du Monde, Muffelletas from Central Grocery, Fried Oyster Po' Boys & Zapp's Potato Chips.
San Fran: Clam Chowder in a bread bowl walking along the Wharf.
Italy (Cinque Terre): anchovies, limoncello, seafood antipasto, gelato
Italy (Florence): Pasta e Fagioli, tuscan white beans, Bisteca alla Fiorentina, Gelato
Italy (General): Gelato, wine
Ireland: Guinness, Guinness Pie in Dingle, Corned beef & cabbage in Kinsale
England: Shandy's (half ale, half lemon soda) Fish n' Chips
Hawaii: Ono, Opah, the hottest, spiciest most delicious shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp Shack on the north shore of Oahu
Tahiti: Poisson Cru, tahitian vanilla beans, Tahitian pineapple (even better than Hawaii), Hinano beer
Colorado: ditto the fresh Coors beer AT the end of the brewery tour.
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MAINE LOBSTER! The first time I was in Maine I was forced to have lobster. (I had lobster before and didn't like it one bit.) Well, let me tell you the lobster that you get in Maine cannot be compared to lobster anywhere else. It is just absolutely wonderful. If you put butter on it you are actually ruining the taste - it is that good. It is so sweet and tender. I am actually salivating as I am writing this. We go up to Maine every labor day weekend (friends have a place up there) and at the end of the lane there is a lobster co-op and we buy lobster as they are coming out of the water. When we are there we have lobster everyday and clam chowder which is also the best in Maine.
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As a transplanted Southerner who now resides in the kingdom of the Yankee, here's what I miss the most:
Sweet Tea--it can never be too sweet because the perfect iced tea is balanced by large wedges of lemon. Preferably served over crushed, not cubed, ice. (I also love mint in my sweet tea, but then I don't use the lemons.)
BBQ--Yankees think that BBQ is a verb. I miss tender, fall of the bone ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. Most BBQ meat here is BOILED. (Can you believe it?) And most yankees think that BBQ flavor is derived from the sauce, not the smoked meat.
Grits--particularly garlic cheese grits that are hearty enough to be a main course. (Don't you hi-falutin's laugh. what you call polenta in nouvelle cuisine is what we've been calling grits for ages!)
Peppers in vinegar sauce, any brand. Great condiment for spicing up anything that needs a kick.
Pickled okra, or okra of any kind.
Red beans and rice with real andouille sausage.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Perfect fried chicken.
Any kind of Church social or funeral casserole made with Velveeta cheese.
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Can a NYC egg cream be found anyplace other than NYC????? I'm not even sure what the ingredients are-------perhaps I could try to make one myself??? I'm living in the Midwest now and I often dream of those wonderful smooth egg creams I drank as a child. Also, I agree with "rainysunday's" response re: Maine lobster rolls---I was there about 8 years ago and loved them-----bragged to my hubby about them----and then we visited the Maine coast last summer and spent many $$$ and much time trying to find one we liked. Must have just hit the places on the wrong days 'cus they ALL tasted really "fishy". yuk My husband was definitely turned off and I was disappointed 'cus I had really enjoyed them the last time I visited. Any opinions on this one? Thx to all for the halveh info!!
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I must reply to the southerner transplanted to YANKEE kingdom. I must be your replacement as I am a Yankee in the kingdom of the redneck. (I married one so I can say that) KUDOS on the BBQ thing, I want it drippin' in sauce otherwise I can not taste the BBQ, they boil the meat here then grill it. I must correct the tea thing...people here drink their sugar with alittle tea. It is so sweet I get a cavity just thinking about it. After 25 years in the south I still can't stand okra in any form, watermelon, sweet potatoes, or pecan pie. Give me NY pizza, or SUSHI which I drive 1 1/2 hours to eat. There are a few northern things i don't miss...rhubarb and squash and oh yuk succotash. Ya'll is now part of my vocabulary.
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A few years ago we bought some Frazer chocolate bars at the Helsinki Airport. They were absoutely fabulous, and I am not a chocolate eater. I have called the U.S. importer and emailed the company in Finland, but they do not export them to the U.S. No particular reason, except that certain times of the year they do not ship chocolate due to the hot weather. I've found their chocolate mints in several supermarkets and they too are fabulous, but not like their wonderful chocolate bars, both milk and dark chocolate. I was able to bring some home ..... on my hips!
Brugge. Belgium - Belgium fries
France - magret du canard (thinly slice duck breast with a small rim of fat).
France, again - those small pastry (petit chou) swans filled with real whipped creme. They are getting harder and harder to find.
Gotta go, I'm late for my Weight Watchers meeting, I've just gained ten pounds reading this thread
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Great, fresh maple fudge in Quebec City! Love it.
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Pralines, strawberry lemonade and cochon du lait sandwiches in New Orleans;
Pappardelle con cinghale (with wild boar) in Tuscany;
Freshly baked baguette spread with soft butter and a thin slab of dark chocolate, a snack in French Normandy;
Kimchi, tofu and pork casserole in Seoul;
Frozen custard in Wisconsin/Midwest;
Orange flavored ice cream with bittersweet chocolate chips which seems to be a specialty of Madison, Wisconsin;
H&H bagels in NY;
Anything at Stella Pastries on Columbus street in SF;
Fresh steamed crab on Fisherman's Wharf in SF;
Egg custard tarts in Chinatown, NY or SF;
Shave ice with red beans and coconut cream in Hawaii;
Fruit beers and truffles in Belgium;
Brat with spicy brown mustard at summer street fairs in Chicago.
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Dill pickle potato chips from British Columbia! YUM!
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can't get enough of these! keep 'em coming!
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I love this thread:
English chocolate esp. cadbury: Lion bar (yummy), smarties, yummy easter eggs, Roses, crunchie, (smoooooth and creamy) Galaxy, Flake.
English christmas pudding with heavy /double cream on it.
Prawn Cocktail potato chips or KP Skips (if anyone knows how to get this in the US) tell me!
Also: different flavored potato chips or different flavored crisps: bacon, chicken, cheese and onion...
I love French pastries ie: eclairs, strawberry tarts, Nutella crepes etc Italian gelato. (some better than others)...good Jamaican jerk sauce and their very sweet ketchup.
Yummy steamed edimame...avail. at most sushi places.
Re: halva. a lot of local grocery stores have this (in plain or chocolate varieties). I have seen it as a sesame/derivative.
Fried corn nuggets (very southern and yummY)
Persian Icecream from TX restuarant, with Saffron and Rosewater.
I did love krispy kremes until somebody would bring it to work (every other week).
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Thought of another one...we ate at a small Bohemian type restaurant in Ithaca NY they served potato chips in different colors. TO my amazement they were not potato but eggplant, parsnip, squash, and beet. I think they are available onlline but are 6 bucks a bag.
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York and Neilson Peppermint patties!
Sounds weird, but in Finland where I live you don't get those, and those are just the best... For sure we have loads of chocolate and peppermint combination candies but especially the Neilson ones are just so great...
Otherwise I'm afraid during the two years I lived in Toronto I could not get used to North American chocolates, and the Cadburies did not help either. The Finnish chocolates just are different, it melts in your mouth deliciously. I suppose it is because some of the fat in it is vegetable fats. The EU thought about not allowing it to be called "chocolate" because of that but luckily realized the stupidity of that in time!
A good greasy grilled cheese sandwich also you cannot get here... I've probably eaten the ones with processed cheese (I know, that's not "proper" cheese...) and that's why I cannot make them here - no processed cheddar readily available here!
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I visited a friend in Tokyo about 5 years ago and her mum always made salad and fresh bread for breakfast. The salad dressing she used was out of this world and I have yet to find one that's anywhere near as good (and it was low fat too!)
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The McDonald's in Italy carried the McToast. It was just a thin slice of ham and cheese toasted on a hamburger bun. The inside of the bun was on the outside though. They were delicious!
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Great thread! Here are my faves:
France - chocolate croissants, especially warm. They're just not the same here.
Bahamas - Great Conch chowder. We have it in Miami, but it's not even close.
Italy - Gelato
Ireland - Just great seafood
Portugal - "Pasteis de nata" or pastries with a type of cream. Brings back childhood memories. Could get it in NY too, but not here.
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Hawaii, kauai specifically.....Loco Moco for breakfast. People who can't stand an immediate 100 point rise in their cholesteral, don't even think about it. a large bowl of rice, covered by a hamburger pattie, drenched in gravy and topped with eggs, your choice.
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Conch Cowder in the Carribean!
Fish N Chips at the Dorcestershire Arms Pub in London!
Conch Fritters and seafood ceviche in the Belize!
France-any kind of bread!
Hawaii-any kind of seafood-so fresh!
Puerto Vallarta-fajitas & margaritas at Pippi's in El Centro!And their made-at- the-table guacomole!
I'm sure I'm forgetting others-this is a great thread!
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In San Francisco, a terrific tomato-based fish stew. Many restaurants there served it, but I've never been able to find this type of stew anywhere else.
In Mexico City, the most wonderful breakfasts: omelets and scrambled eggs made in a way I've never found anywhere else.
In Paris, the bread. French bread in the USA is not really French bread. There is no resemblance whatsoever to the real thing.
In New York City, the deli sandwiches: Not very healthy, but delicious!
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Jennifer started a great thread, this is so much fun!!!
Mangoes in Hong Kong, not the big red and green kind we get here in Canada, but the small yellow ones that you can sometimes find in Chinatown. They are so sweet and fresh.
And also the pineapples from Lahaina (someone mentioned it here). I've never been able to eat pineapples ever since, even the ones in the store that said are from Hawaii, they are just NOT the same.
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For burgers - In-n-Out is good but the original Tommy's is the best!
Phad Thai noodles and Thai BBQ chicken at Chayo Praya in Hollywood.
The hot link sausages at the Salt Lick in (near) Austin, Texas.
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OK, I'll play.
First, JoyceL, your tomato-based fish stew sounds suspiciously (to my Cajun eyes) like bouillabaise, which is indeed quite tasty up in San Francisco.
I miss the simple sandwiches we used to get when we lived in Puerto Rico made of jamón cubano (don't know if the accented "o" in will display-- without the accent, it's "jamon") or "Cuban ham" on pan de agua (basically good ol' French bread baked with an extra-crusty crust)-- indescribably good.
A big bowl of crawfish étouffée (again with the accents not displaying...! In English, "etouffee") from anywhere in southern Louisiana (my aunt's house, any joint in the French Quarter) sounds really good right about now, too. And hush puppies...!!
A nice light lunch (or snack at the University) when I was living in Madrid consisted of a tranche of queso manchego (a semi-hard white cheese, dry and not too sharp and just great) on French bread, with a nice glass of Spanish red wine. Happily, I do have a wine store here in Long Beach that DOES carry manchego cheese. Lucky me!!
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Almost forgot...! The ropa vieja and moros at Puerto Sagua in South Beach is sublime, and dirt-cheap! And a nice Miami-made mojito always goes down great (and gets you good and drunk REAL fast!).
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Another great big vote for BEIGNETS!!!
Oh, and if I ever left Cincinnati I think I'd have mass cravings for Skyline Chili.
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"Thought of another one...we ate at a small Bohemian type restaurant in Ithaca NY they served potato chips in different colors. TO my amazement they were not potato but eggplant, parsnip, squash, and beet. I think they are available onlline but are 6 bucks a bag."
Oooooh, I miss Ithaca restaurants (went to Cornell years ago). Is Aladdin's still there? Great spinach salads! And Moosewood! Mmmmmmm!!!!!
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I miss Prailines!!! If I leave Hawaii I miss Kalua pork and cabbage and mochi ice cream.
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A related question: Your favorite culinary trainwreck from your travels? That is, the local delicacy that could NEVER play anywhere else?
Here are three of mine:
Poutine (Quebec): french fries covered with a horrible cream gravy and white cheese of indeterminate type. Absolutely inedible.
Chef salads served with french fries IN THE SALAD (West Virginia, possibly western Pennsylvania, according to my sister): Appalling. Even my late father, who always scolded me for my "big-city" airs, thought that was the epitome of trashy dining. We laughed for days.
Iron City Beer and IC Light (western Pennsylvania): Quite possibly the worst beers on earth.
Anyone else...?
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French fries in a salad are wonderful, especially a steak salad with ranch dressing, washed down with an ice cold IC light! Too bad your father didnt berate your "airs" more rjw_lgb_ca, you're so easily appalled! Shame on you for talkin trash on West Pennsylvania's delicacies. You haven't lived until you've eaten at Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh where they actually put cole slaw AND french fries on the sandwich!
OHH the HORROR!!
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But I HAVE eaten that sandwich at Primanti's.... and I stand by my appalled-ness. Oh the Heartburn...!
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And Dad thought it was weird too...! He even asked the server about it, and she said, "Dunno, all our salads have fries in 'em." It kinda defeats the "lighter eating" rationale to eating the damn thing.
I stand by my judgment of Iron City/IC Light. My brews of choice are now Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Samuel Brown, Amstel Light and some microbrews in my town (Long Beach) and San Diego.
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The best food that I still think about is NEW ORLEANS...especially during the jazz fest...crawfish beignets, catfish, the gumbo. I am still craving their lemonade which is flavored with ginger. I am from New York where food is very good but nothing beats
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This thread is tearing me up. Gotta have it, but what? Joyce bouillabise is the stew you choose. I like Louisiana dark file gumbo with hotlinks, crab, fish, chicken - everything thrown in. Hawaii laulaus and shave ice. Homemade sorbet from a tiny shop on Duval St., Key West. This thread was torturous.
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Crawfish bread... served only once a year (I think) at Jazz Fest in New Orleans.
Also, alligator cheesecake from Jacque'Imos in New Orleans.
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Mackinac Island Fudge!
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We have a condo in Taos and there's a New Mexican dish called Carne Adovada that I absolutely love, but in Oklahoma our mexican restaurants are more the tex-mex style, and while I like it too, they don't have Carne Adovada. I get it once or twice a year though and we have experimented with making it ourselves, but we have to buy some of the ingredients while we are out there.
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There is a little bakery at the Mexican Market Square in San Antonio, Texas where they make these yummy mango turnovers. Very simple yet very delicious.
I am a major coffee adict so when my sister brought me back a can of chickory coffee from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans I couldn't wait to brew a pot....but I didn't like it. I think I may not be preparing it correctly so if anyone has tips on how to prepare this coffee please advise.
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Mexican food with white cheese dip served in Alabama and some Georgia Mexican restaurants.
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You probably won't believe this, but American coke is better than European. There is a slight difference. Since a month we can also buy Vanilla coke here in Belgium and again...it's not the same taste as the one in the US. I swear.
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Reindeer in Finland! And any European Bread!
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The White House Whoppers???????????
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by far Clam Chowder in Sourdough!!! (san fransisco)
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In Hawaii, I had a local breakfast dish called Loco Moco. It is two scoops of white rice on a plate, each topped with a ground beef patty, and that topped with two fried eggs, and the whole lot covered with sausage gravy. Believe it or not it is very tasty. A real "working man's" breakfast!! Each plate comes with a certificte for a free cholesterol test.
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I miss kebabs from Strasbourg the most. I have not seen anything to resemble them here in the states, and I swear I'd drive all night to get to one if I could find it. It's some type of shaved meat (who knows what kind of meat it is) or chicken in a pita-like pocket served with different veggies and a red or white sauce. Oh, I miss them so much!
Chicken madeira and any cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory
Chicago pizza
Fresh pineapple in iced tea in Hawaii
If anyone sees Grippo's potato chips on his/her travels, try them! We have them here in Kentucky, but not at my local market, so I drive to get them. My mother carried them in her small grocery while I was growing up, and I took them for granted. Now, I drive out of my way to get them!
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From Pennsylvania: scrapple. Used to be able to buy it frozen at our Atlas Supermarket in Indianapolis, but sadly that is no more. It wasn't exactly as good as eating it in downtown Philidelphia, but better than nothing!
From California: Good Earth Original Tea. Sometimes I can find it locally; most times not. Sipping it reminds me of being in my early 20s and sitting at one of the cafes in Palo Alto.
From England: Turkish Delight. A rosewater flavored gelatin candy coated with chocolate.
From Japan: a canned soft drink called Soba (or something like that; it's been 20 years since I've had it but I still remember how delicious and unique it was).
From Scotland: definitely NOT tripe.
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OMG, Jennifer, I grew up in Clearwater, FL, and miss the Greek salad like crazy! I do believe it's original to the region, since every restaurant serves it the same way. When I was a kid, my dad and I would argue over who got the most potato salad at the bottom of the bowl. Ahhhh, I can taste it now....
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Hawaii has the best papayas. I had one every day when I was there. They're just not the same here. I also loved the Portugese sausage I had in Hawaii. I'm looking forward to going to Martha's Vineyard in September and eating my fill of the wonderful lobster rolls they have there.
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To martinewezel- check the ingredients in your coke. The can of Pepsi sitting in front of me lists high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar. Chances are this ratio differs in Europe which changes the taste a bit. My kids noticed this in Jamaica and the Bahamas also, where only sugar is listed as the sweetener.
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Another vote for fish and chips. Particularly Australian fish and chip shops (small like a little deli) where you walk in and tell the guy you want 2 pieces of flake, some hake and whatever else is fresh, how many handfuls of chips (fries) or potato cakes you want, and dim sim. He dips it and throws it all in the fryer, then gives it to you in a big brown sleeve of paper. Wow is that good.
English & Irish fish and chips come in second and Long John's Silvers ain't even close. It's barely in the same food group.
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A muffolatta (<spelling?) on New Orleans
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I can make these at home, but they are always better on vacation:
Beignets at Cafe du Monde, New Orleans
Fried Oyster or Shrimp Po' Boys at Mothers in N.O.
Monte Christo Sandwiches are something I'd never attempt at home... where can you get a good one? Bennigan's has them, but they aren't as good as others I've had.
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There is NOWHERE to buy pate here in Massachusetts - we miss the variety of great pates that we found in the UK.
Tapas - the way it should be served in Spain
Real Antipasto - the way it is served in Italy - a banquet of choices, rather than some torn iceberg lettuce, salami and a few peppercini....
What we have here that we can't find elsewhere? Good linguica and chiorice, and coffee syrup!
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At the cafeteria at Mt. Rushmore we had a stuffed pretzel it was stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeno. DELIGHTFUL.
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Well, here's why I'm always dieting....
In the area of Bavaria around Berchtesgaden, there is a very regional dessert called "germknodel" This is a fist sized ball of dough that is filled with poppy seeds in butter and sugar in the center and then warmed in the oven. It is served hot with a butter sauce over the top!
I am salivating thinking about it!
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Sounds simple, but when I went to the Philippines as a kid, I couldn't never get my favorite drink -- milk. The only kind available was Borden's Condensed. I honestly didn't know how I made it that long (2 months) without it. During the first meal I had back on the continental US, in San Francisco International Airport, I raised my glass to a toast and said, "Ahh. Fresh milk at last!" This, from a 9-year-old!
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At the Manly Beach promenade (close to Sydney, Australia), there is a small fish store that sells the best fish and chips. I love the huge 5"-6" fresh fried...not greasy... calamari rings. I had never seen calamari rings larger onion rings. Delicious. To hell with my cholesterol!!!
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Conk chowder...on the way to Grand Cayman..got in Miami & ate it every chance I got during my trip.
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Yes, conCH chowder is great, as are conch fritters.
(I think cock chowder is what you get when you freeze soup and hit someone over the head with it...!!! )
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Oops-- "coNk chowder"! Must have been that leftover coQ au vin I had for lunch...!!
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Oooh ... basilico's pizza in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. It's cheap, open late, huuuuge slices. That post about pizza in Colorado is true ... it's crap here.
And milka waldbeer joghurt bars, which i searched all of germany for. It's a white chocolate/yogurt bar with little bits of crunchy fruit. Awesome.
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oh, and Yuengling beer!
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At Tom's Deli in Notting Hill, London, there is this fabulous sweet potato and goat cheese sandwich (sounds strange but is the best taste combo I've ever experienced). I can't find it anywhere and have been unsuccessful in attempts to duplicate it in my own kitchen. I live in NYC - sadly, trips to London are few and far between.
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"Schwepps Bitter Lemon" in Europe - if anyone knows where to find it here in the states my husband will send you his first born child!
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Deep fried artichoke hearts from a stand on the beach boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California.
Chicken Cordon Bleu with french fries from Restaurant Treubund in Gommiswald, Switzerland (yes, I can get it at home but it's never as good, and here you can't get that wonderful gravy they use on the fries!).
Okay, don't freak out over this one - Fondue Bourguignon made with horse meat in Switzerland (horse meat is as common over there as cow meat is over here and it's very tasty! Just don't think about it. Hey, they eats dogs & cats in some countries. Not that I would...)
Speck (salt pork) and doerrnbohnen (dried french green beans) with potatoes in Switzerland, Germany, Austria.
Chili crabs and pepper crabs in Singapore. Spicaaaaayyyyy!
The Indian food at Sammy's in Singapore, served on a banana leaf and you eat with your fingers - out of this world!
Drunken Shrimp Soup in Bintan, Indonesia. Hot wiskey with shrimp, mmmmmmm.
Yogurt with Birchermuesli for breakfast in every hotel in Europe.
Moreton Bay Bugs in Australia (it's a shellfish similar to lobster but meatier and tastier).
The coffee in Austria. Period. And I don't even drink coffee!
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I forgot one - Halter Bonbons (sugar free candy) in Europe. I found them in Playa del Carmen, Mexico last month and I know you can order them on the internet but I haven't seen them in stores in the states yet...
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The coffee in Italy. The banana, strawberry and nutella crepes in Paris. The olive oil in Spain.
You never realize what garbage we eat in the U.S. until you've visited Europe.
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I'm so embarrased, I've forgotten the BEST thing of all (and I only just remembered it because I just tried to order it!) - SALAMI PIZZA on THIN CRUST in Europe!!! You know the kind, where you get an entire pizza for yourself.... Why, oh why, oh why, can't pizza restaurants here use salami instead of pepperoni and thin thin thin crust instead of medium or thick?!?! I'm dying... I make my own pizza now using The Il Fornaio Baking Cookbook (from the restaurant) with a 1/8" crust and salami - we can't even order out anymore (except nights like tonight where I didn't prepare in advance and we're too lazy to go out!)
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I'm alternately reading and writing (as I'm waiting for my sad pizza to arrive) and everyone else's wonderful posts remind me of past food experiences - Daphne's Greek in Southern California, the best Gyros I've ever had! Even the rice and salad that go with it, so simple, but so perfect! Every time I visit friends there, I insist on going. I think I should open one here in Arizona - any financial backers?!
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well not my travels, but where I cam from: New Jersey
deep-fried hot dogs, known as "wallers," at Rutt's Hut in Clifton or Passaic, off Route 3
Taylor ham
salt water taffy
TastyKakes (I didn't know they still existed until I stopped at a gas station near Cape May and found them)
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Okay, most of you who posted a long time ago probably aren't reading these, but if anyone knows, I would like to know about the following (after all, this is all about learning, isn't it?!):
1) What is cheese curd, what would I put it on, and where would I find it?
2) What is clotted cream - is it like whipped cream? Where would I find it or how would I make it and what would I use it on?
And other replies to other posts:
1) Yes, Tommy's burgers with chili are the best burgers in the west! Skip In-n-Out Burger (which, frankly, have gone way downhill lately, mostly since they've gone national).
2) To Allie, who asked why the "Chicory Coffee" from New Orleans wasn't as good as she remembered - it's not in the brewing, it's in the serving - it's, like, 1/3 coffee and 2/3 hot milk, if I remember correctly, or something like that. "Cafe au Lait" is what they serve with Beignets at the Cafe du Monde restaurant in NO, and it's all about the "milk" (hence the "au lait"), that chicory coffee is SO strong, you can't drink it without a lot of milk! (And you can buy both the coffee and beignet mix on cafedumonde.com)
3) Those who mentioned the delicious cheese in Spain and Mexico - the "manchego" cheese - mmmmmmm, yummy...you can find it in almost every plain ol' grocery store nowadays! At least you can in Arizona...but does anyone have any great recipes to use it in? I haven't bought it because I don't know a great way to use it, yet. Nachos or quesadillas just don't sound like they'll do it justice.
I'm having so much fun with this post, I know I'm totally late coming to it, but I hope to get it going again!
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I miss...
Jo Jo's Shave Ice with ice cream at the bottom from Kauai.
Beignets from the Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans.
(We do order the box mix but it's not quite the same at home)
San Francisco sourdough bread!
(And lots of CA things since I'm now in NH)
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Hello people!! How about Humpty Dumpty potato chips. My favorite are the dill pick chips, but the BBQ, ketchup, and roasted chicken are also very tasty!
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Two Disneyworld favorites-Pineapple Dole Whip and the chocolate dipped Mickey rice crispy treats. Other favorite Ranier Cherries in Washington-by the time they get to Chicago they taste awful but you can't beat the taste out there!
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New Orleans - Beignets are the best!
Florence, Italy - pasta with lobster in a lobster cream sauce
East Coast - funnel cake
Maui, Hawaii - Lava Flow mixed drinks
Philadelphia - cheese steak at Tony's (or was it called Jim's) on South Street
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Homemade fudge on Mackinac Island, Michigan...Gilroy garlic fries at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco
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Now Las Vegas Strip has an In n Out Burger place. I had them in California last year and it was awesome!
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At Disney World, two "must trys" are the cinnamon coffee in Mexico (at the sit down restaurant) and the cheese soup at the restaurant in Canada.
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I had liver dumpling soup in Munich at the Hofbrahaus, just like Mom use to make, it was delicious.
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Gaylords in Kauai-Monte Cristo sandwich. Deep fried and covered in powdered sugar, yum. Those sandwiches are so hard to find. I am going to Kauai in a couple weeks and hope they still serve them!
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First, responding to a few postings:
An important ingredient to white "country" gravy in Texas is PEPPER...can't miss that It's good on fried pork chops, fried boneless chicken breast...ummm...anything fried
For anyone who LOVES sopapillas, there's a terrible small chain in TX called Ponchos. If you ever are visiting (I know for sure they have them in DAllas, and one north of Austin) Don't eat there, but go and pick up a bag of fresh fried sopapillas...only like $3 for a dozen. They include ALOT of honey in little tubs.
For the person who liked yam/sweet potatoes...here's another way to try it. Bake it like a baked potato, and when it is done, split it like a baked potato. Mix some butter/margarine with a little sugar and cinnamon, and melt the butter on the yam. It's light, but oh so yummy.
I've seen Bel Paeso in this little gourmet type chain grocery store in TX called Central Market. It's similar to a Whole Foods, which being more regional makes me wonder if you should check there (speaking of Manchego, LOVE buying it there...we get the 6 month aged variety).
AND, for the person who loved thin crust salami pizza, there's a pizza place in Dallas called Campisi's, they call it Egyptian style, but all I know is that their loaded pizza comes with small chunks of salami, green onion, mushroom, and it is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Man do I miss that place...
As for what I loved..
when I was 15 and visited Walt Disney World, there was a frozen treat that was soft serve vanilla ice cream, swirled with a frozen sorbet like cherry swirl. I think I went back and got like THREE in one day. So fantastic, wonder if they still serve that.
At Rimrock in Banff, had a hot chocolate to die for...tasted like it was made with real cream, chocolately but not too sweet...chocolate shavings, and a side tiny bar of chocolate.
On my honeymoon at Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen, for breakfast at the buffet they served a chicken tamale that tasted like it was mixed with tomatillos. I can easily get my hands on lots of Mexican food down here, but have yet to have something that compares. Also, the tiny flaky pastries...SO delicate and amazing.
My husband drinks Coke like no ones business when we can get Coke from Mexico...they make it with real sugar cane and it tasted different.
The seafood nachos I had at Penny Lane in Vancouver. Never had seen anything like it (of course, I was only 18), and the seafood was generously added AND fresh tasting.
I ate a dessert here in Austin, that consisted of wedges of chocolate, served with sauce of cherries soaked in Zinfadel, and a chocolate mousse. The wedges of chocolate and the mousse were all made with the same chocolate, which the chef told me they actually import from France, and though the name of it fails me now, I can't find it anywhere else in the area, not even at the gourmet stores. SO amazing and delicate a flavor, urgh, what IS the name of it...started with a "C" I believe..
The strawberry belgian waffles at Original Pancake House...we no longer have one in Austin, but when we visit a city that DOES have one, we make a point to have breakfast there.
I've always wanted to try this item I've heard friends describe from up in Chicago: a lemon with a soft peppermint stick stuck in it? And you suck on the stick, the lemon juice comes up it and it tastes like lemonade? SO curious about that...
One restaurant in louisiana had fried jalapeno slices (y'know, the pickled variety?) It was a corn meal batter...we think maybe they soaked the slices in buttermilk, then rolled in batter. Served with ranch for dipping...terrible for the intestines, but fabulous for the taste buds.
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OK, I I can't resist hopping on this food train!
Calamari around Monterey CA ( calamari capital of the world") - fried, everywhere, stands and shacks and wonderful restaurants, including a huge calamari steak at a waterfront restaurant
Similarly ( "everywhere") - fried conch in the Florida Keys
Key Lime Pie - in the keys but also seafood places on NC's Outer Banks
original New Englad Grinders- (subs) although grinder shops proliferate in New England, many now use soft sub buns and all sorts of fillings. a real grinder is on French bread, made with hard salami, provolone, sliced tomato, lettuce, and oregano-laced oil and vinegar. To die for. Oddly enough, the very best can be found at a convenience store chain - (Dairy Maid?) - one location is right across from Mystic Seaport in Mystic CT
Chocolate Bridge Mix - Swiss style- purchased at a small supermarket near the steamer dock on Lake Brienz, Switzerland - loaded with caramels, nuts, & fruits, not the cheap filler crap we have here.
Fondue - Interlaken Switz
Schnitzel - Salzburg Austria
Maine lobster - preferably cooked on a wood fire on a beach, cooled briefly on a bed of seaweed, drenched in lemon butter, the shell broken on a rock, and dripping everywhere on the sand as you rip into 'em
Lobster rolls at Red's Eats, a walk-up shack at the foot of the Wicasset Maine bridge on Rt 1- enormous $13 sandwiches, cold lobster & mayo on oversized hotdog shaped rolls. People stand in line around the block for good reason!
RIBS- dry rubbed, from the famous Rendezvous in Memphis...none better!
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Stachi : Not sure if I can explain how cheese curd is made, but it used for Poutine in Canada, and can be bought in bags or tubs in the local grocery store. Curd cheese has a sharp taste, but it's poutine gravy that is special. Very light in texture, almost reddish brown in color. Just any old gravy won't do for real poutine. St. Hubert, which is a Quebec based chicken restaurant ( ? ) used to sell packaged poutine gravy.
My pick : PEI lobsters ( try dipping thme in white vinegar )at a church supper, with all you can eat mussels, and rolls which melt in your mouth. Top it off with a huge portion of wild blueberry grunt with fresh whipped cream !!!
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I am from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The two things I can never find outside of my home locale are: poutine (french frys, topped with fresh cheese curds and then smothered in beef gravy...usually purchased at one of our at least 300 french fry trucks) and 'beaver tails' (doughnut dough, pulled to the shape of a beaver tail, then deep fried, then covered with lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamen OR with raspberry jam OR with garlic butter and shredded cheese).
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Cheese Quark (spelling?). My friends in the Netherlands feed it to me every summer, but I've never seen it for sale in Princeton... Also, the gelato in Italy is great, but if they sold it anywhere near my home, I'd be as fat as a cow.
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When I moved from Memphis to Cincinnati I missed Corky's BBQ.
When I moved from Cincinnati to Kuala Lumpur I desperately miss Jalepeno's mexican food!!! Ummmm THE BEST cheese dip & Chimichangas.
And when and if I ever leave KL it's a small/romantic Turkish restaurant I will miss!
Anything here that tries to resemble Mexican turns out more Tex-mex...which I don't care for.
Although we have have huge selection of International restaurants here in KL, and oh sooo cheap.
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Garretts cheese and caramel popcorn in Chicago! Stood in line for 2 hours once for it warm.............
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Tarte flambee in Strasbourg.
Mont Blanc at Angelina in Paris.
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UMMM, Garretts...gotta love it!
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Fresh, warm, handmade CHURROS on the street in Mexico City...
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Mine is a beer. While living in Phoenix I used to get a beer called Fat Tire made by the New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins CO. I cannot get it here in WI or anywhere else east of the Southwest. For a food it is the unique fish you can get in Hawaii.
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My husband drank Fat Tire all over Colorado this summer and now can't find it anywhere in Chicago either--he's bummin'
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in portugal in this little cafe in nazare called tasquinha is a dish called pork un'alentage?, well thats close enough. basically its pork, potatoes nad clams in a stew. Delicious!!!!!!!!!plus the bead and olives dont hurt!
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I find the input on Cadbury Chocolate interesting. I think the trick is to check the back of the wraper. If it is made in Brimingham, England, You have a winner. Canbury made by Hershey in the US is just not the same. Take it from a chocolate lover.
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Buffalo chicken wings at the Anchor Bar or Duff's in Buffalo.
Real Key Lime pie (Florida)!
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Jones' Potatoe chips from Mansfield, Ohio..the best in the world!
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Lobster rolls, esp. the ones in Hyannis and at Cooks on the Cape
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conch salad in the Bahamas...
swalter: Fat Tire is ONLY available in CO (actually the brewery is here in my town of Fort Collins) but I've heard they are considering expansion...good luck with that!
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I love beignets at Cafe Du Monde in the French Qtr in NO.
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I am slowly coming to the realization that NYC has it all. Just discovered mole sauce never had in mexico. Discovered Kanafa in Patterson never had in the Egypt, Turkey or Israel.
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Marshmallow Fluff! I had some whilst on holiday in Sarasota.Very sweet but yummy all the same. Can't get it in the UK. Also love real american sub's from the supermarket. I love the way they put all that filling in one Sandwich!
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A candy bar in South Africa called Elephants. I believe it was oval with a flat bottom and a filling. Also, their bbq's, which they called brais(sp?). Loved having crayfish(cousin to the crawdad) for the first time while in Capetown.
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OK, enough already - will this 2 year old thread ever be permitted to die?
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WOW, this is great but I can't read it all at once. MONTE CRISTOS SANDWICHES--I don't know why but they are at EVERY New Jersey Or Greek Diner in the tri-state. You can probably have them ship several to you. They are everywhere and all along the N.J. turnpike,(meet me at the exit, you know by the diner) No one has mentioned CUBAN COFFEE from Key West Gator Burgers too, Yes the curried lamb and oddly enough,tuna marinated in cheese, from the Caribean ANYTHING at Annettes in La. Finally found my favorite SOUR SOP or GUAYBANA (a ugly green fruit) They make it like a shake over seas and in many latin restaurants. But I found it in the International section of my local supermarkets SHOPRITE A&P along with LION BARS and other British candy bars. Yes even the KIT KATS are better, notice the difference in richer quality of the choclate and the wrapper: colors.Far superior, same companies. U.S. standards for choclate may not be as high and its probably more cost effective. I even found them in grocery stores in Boston & hotels in the carribean. MIKE'S PASTIRES in Boston. OHH the Cappichino,ohh the coffee. Right up there with Cafe Du Monde. BEST Dinners- BURT & JACKS by the pier at the ship terminal Ft Lauderdale, Fla. Now Gone due to 911 and security. Burt Reynolds no longer a partner, but there was a sister restaurant, on Los Olas in that nearby area. Best meal! In Honduras, Roatan you get off the ship and go into town . Along the water there are a few restaurants and a ind. hotel. Across from the restaurant a woman cooks out of her house for you on picnic tables as her daughter offers to braid your hair. The husband walks out to the cyrstal blue waters to catch some big ones (all types of fish). He is hardly gone long enough except to talk them into being our dinner,when he returns (spear fishing)to then hand print the menu to tell you what he caught for you and your guests. You sit outside in their yard watching the world go by and wait for your lunch, eating fried pineapple in butter and a rice concoction w/ tropical soda just like family. Prices were always the same, cheap and it was a Tom Hanks like castaway experience.I know how to get there , can't remember the woman's name. You could even take the bus through town for a buck while everyone else took a taxi for $$$$$$$$$.
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I still salivate at the thought of the banana daquiri I had on my first day in Jamaica -- AND the banana fritter on my last night!
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I can't read 415 (and counting) responses, so somebody may have got here before me - but when in New Orleans I became a fan of Cajun cooking and have inflicted my jambalaya on all my friends. Unfortunately, while I've found yabbies, Australian fresh-water crayfish, a fair substitute for the Louisiana crawfish, I can't get andouille sausage or tasso ham in this country. I substitute chorizo sausage and smoked ham like 'speck', and while this may be just fine, I'd love to try the original again to check how close I get. But has anyone noticed how things never taste quite as good away from their country of origin? You know what I mean - why does that nice Italian frascati taste like cat's urine when you drink it back in your own country? Sadly, I think I know the answer - it always was cat's urine...
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hi, Neil Oz. Just read your post. I live in Baton Rouge and most of the locals put either chicken and sausage or pork and sausage (try a good smoked sausage) in their jambalaya, so don't fret about not getting tasso and andoulle. (jambalaya is a good way to use up cooked chicken or pork)
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real Gelato - only found in the little places in Rome - what's here in the states is a poor cousin.
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Cornish Pasties in the UK
Indian Food in the UK (nothing will compare in Fla)
Lobster rolls and clam chowder-NH/Maine
Bar-B-Q - Aiken, SC - Carolina Barbecue
Mussels in Brugge, Belgium
Fresh salmon in Washington State
Mexican food in Mexico !!! or Noa Noa in Denver !
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In a word, conch!
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hot freshly bakes scones In England. The stuff in the US simply does not come anywhere close
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I live at the edge of Amish Country in Pennsylvania. And, I am lucky that a Tastecake factory is just a half mile from my apt. When the wind blows just right, I can smell all the good aromas coming from there. On a bad day, I can smell the aromas from the mushroom farms!! I still can't handle that aroma, but my neighbors say it smells like gold! I know that there are more millionaires per square foot at the local diner than anywhere else(including the Main Line). And, 2 miles away is Herrs potato chip company and that family gives generously to our little town.
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Bread fruit in Martinique & St. Lucia!
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I don't know why, but no one on the mainland can make a mai tai like they do in Hawaii.
Also, italian gelato. Lots of places in the US sell something they call gelato (and I'm always suckered into trying it) but I've never found anything close to the gelato in Italy.
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Corned beef sandwiches from Oaklawn Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They are legendary.
I like that and also Giordano's pizza from Chicago.
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Pas-O-Guava nectar from Hawaii
Pasties from Adelaide
Rosti from Switzerland
Fried cheese from Cafe' Riggio in S.F.
Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake from Fringale in S.F. (hubbies fav won't share with anyone)
Lomi Salmon from Hawaii
Gelato from Italy
Great cheap red wine from Tuscany
Great mortadella and prosciutto sandwiches from an AutoPlaza in Italy
Toasted Hawaiian from Pacific Cafe in Hawaii or 808 in Las Vegas
Lapperts Ice cream from Hawaii
Real sourdough bread from S.F.
Tri Tip from California (cows in the midwest must not have this body part!)
Maui potato chips
Jamba Juice
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Fried flounder at various fairs in Alaska, a date shake in Palm Desert, blue crabs in either Maryland or Louisiana, delicious squid salad in Todos Santos, fresh abalone in Ixtapa, barbeque of various locals (N.C., Memphis, Texas), marionberry cobbler in Oregon, cabrito in Northern Mexico, cheese curds, Cornell chicken in N.Y., dry sausage in Texas smokehouses, oysters along the Oregon and Washington coasts, lobster in Nova Scotia/Maine, green and red chili/sopapillas in New Mexico, malasadas, gelato/ices in Rome, grilled lamb and locum in Turkey, portuguese sausage on pizza in Hawaii, fresh local sweet corn where it is farmed, marron glace in France, serrano ham in Spain, orchid ice cream in Turkey, Fultano's pizza in Cannon Beach, beignets in New Orleans, stone crab, razor clams in Alaska/Pac. N.W., dungeness crabs (Pac. N.W.), Alaskan salmon.
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New Zealand - lamb and hot toasted Vogel bread spread w/cold NZ creamy butter.
UK - scones with clotted cream
India - cheese toasts
Japan - spring rolls
Memphis - Rendezvous ribs
Dallas - Peggy Sue's onion rings, Kuby's German potato salad
Maine - lobster and lobster rolls
Ct - meatball sandwiches (grinders)
Iswich clams
Hawaii - mahi mahi burger
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A traditional "boxed lunch" at the Aloha Mixed plate in Maui!
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I can't quite believe this thread has been brought back to life but it has been fun to read.
France (and Belgium) Danettes-- wonderful puddings (esp. the expresso and chocolate) that Danone makes but you just can't find here (I've called Danon about making them here, to no avail and I've gone into so many gourmet markets in Manhattan trying to get them, but no luck so far-- happily I have a cousin who visits a few times a year and never forgets that I need my danette fix)
The midwest- Meijers Thousand Island dressing (I don't know why since at home I buy the best olive oils and make great vinagrettes but somehow must buy dressing in a plastic bottle whenever I'm in Michigan)
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Dear MzPossum of Baton Rouge, thanks for the post about jambalaya - yes, pork & chicken definitely, plus lots of prawns and maybe some firm-fleshed fish. A prawn stock made from the heads and shells makes all the difference. For sausage, I haven't found anything here that beats chorizo sausage. Now in the spirt of this thread I'll also put in a word for soft-shell crabs, which I had deep-fried in Cajun spices at Hymans Seafood Company, Charleston SC. While Queensland mud crabs are superb, in Australia we just don't have those little soft-shell buggers. Nor monkfish - our monkfish are just as ugly, but their texture and flavour don't compare. Finally, a mention of a couple of New Zealand originals (I think) - hot pies made from (a) green-lip mussels and (b) lamb with mint sauce. Great.
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Red chili enchiladas from The Shed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yum
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fresh littleneck clams on the northeast coast. i live in the south now - that's the one thing i really miss about "home." i can almost taste them in my mind!
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I second the Philly Cheese Steak.
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Date shake at Palm Springs! and I live in the same state...
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Wow - this thread's been going on for almost 2 years! The most delicious food I've had was cheeseburgers and potato chips I had in a small city in Japan many years ago. They tasted so great because they were dripping in grease - you had to wash your hands after eating. I'd be afraid to eat them now that we know about cholesterol!
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A juicy freshly sliced passionfruit in Hawaii. I can get ones from New Zealand at the store sometimes, but they're just not as sweet and I'm just not on Maui.
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Great! I was thinking about this question a few days ago. Here's mine ...
1. Stuffed artichoke at a restaurant in the French Quarter in New Orleans (but I CAN get it at home, 'cause it's a "secret" family recipe, and my daughter knows how to fix it).
2. Fried carrots w/buttermilk dipping sauce at Stephen Spielberg's Dive! restaurants in LA and Las Vegas, both now closed.
3. Muscadine grapes from my friend's mother-in-law in Monroe, La. -- so sweet, and you can pop them in your mouth, suck the peeling off and pick out the seeds with your tongue.
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ANI - re Fat Tire
They sell Fat Tire on draft and in the bottle at a few of the bars here in Fort Worth. Also in bottles in the stores. It's been here for a few months now.
New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, CO isn't it?
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I've seen Fat Tire in Santa Cruz, CA and in Seattle.
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Taro Chips in Hawaii!!! I can get the mixed *Terra* chips ... thick, kettle cooked, taro mixed with yams and yucca, but not the thin crispy wonderful taro ones like you buy in the Islands!
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This incredible vanilla ice cream cone in Amsterdam tipped on the edges with raspberry. We were in the British Isles, France and Holland on this trip and among the food we had it's that ice cream that I remember!
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Just down the highway in Cincy I like to have Skyline chili.
When you visit my town you should try the Itialian wedding soup and Brier Hill Pizza.
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Roasted fresh garlic from roadside BBQ near Gilroy, CA. Must be fresh -- and late summer crop!
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I just really read this whole thread! Here's your recipe for Sweet Southern Iced Tea you're all raving about. So easy: Add 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately remove from heat, and add 8 tea bags (I use Red Rose). Steep for 5 minutes, remove tea bags, add this mixture to 4 more cups cold water in a pitcher! Let cool, and pour over lots of ice. Add lemon or mint if desired. Refrigerate left-over tea. If you want to make a larger amount, for each added cup of water use 2 tablespoons of sugar.and of course, another tea bag. Try it ........... it's the real deal!
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Beignets from Cafe DuMonde. Absolutely best with their chickory coffee, watching the people walk by...
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From Scotland--Scones
From France--Escargot and frogs legs
From Italy--Gelato and pizza
Now that we are back in Oregon I am in heaven to have fresh Marionberries very soon!
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Crabcakes at G+M's near Baltimore, MD
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This is a great topic! Here's what I loved during my travels:
*Lappert's ice cream from Maui
*Hula pie from Maui
*Taro chips from Hawaii
*Mullasatas from the Big Island
*Gelato from Rome
*Sopapillas (sp?)from New Mexico
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Well, if this thread doesn't hold a record!
What I miss from my travels:
Potato Pancakes- the way grandma used to make
Bulgogi- South Korea
Sashimi- Guam It was so fresh!
Conch Fritters- Fresh on the beach, Turks and Caicos
Chicken Fricasse-Puerto Rico (OSJ/Ambrosia)
Golden Cadillac- a bar near Sacremento
Mai Tai- Honolulu
I know, I know, a mai tai is easy to make, but it just doesn't taste the same!
Happy travels! Let's keep this going!
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Two recent delicious finds:
Teeny, tiny red champagne(?) grapes at Pike Place Market in Seattle. (You can eat all the fruit off the stem in one bite.)
Scrumptious cream-covered, apple strudel at King Ludwig's Restaurant in Leavenworth, Wa.
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In regaurds to a much earlier
I dont think cadbury is going to buy out hershey, actually It will never happen becasue of the Miltion Hershey school, Last summer there was some big stink about the school selling shares (they are the controling stock owner), the whole town and the state became involved and the board decided against it, infact i think some board members lost their positions becasue of this. On the other hand their stock did split recently (making me very happy withlittle more money)
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Clarifying my eriler statement, herhsye does sell some cadburys products, but i strongly doubt that hershey will ever Become Cadbury, ex jolly ranchers, ludens, twizzlers, ice breakers, and wriglys gum are all hershey products
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Same day fresh Alaskan halibut and King salmon. Mmmmm!
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Tommy DiNic's famous roast pork sandwiches at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. Nothing like it in the world!!!
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Oh, the chocolate covered macadamia nuts from the Kona Coast nut factory on the Big Island! Sold only at their little store off the main road near Honaunau. Worth a trip back just to get them.
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Monchong - Molokai & Maui
Conch Fritters - St. John
Shrimp Tacos - San Felipe, MX
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Now I'm hungry...
There used to be a pizza place in Playa del Rey, CA called Irvulla's that had the best deep-dish pizza. My husband and I were very disappointed to find it's gone.
We used to love Dinah's, which is or was near Fox Hills Mall. Oh, and Tito's Tacos, too, over near Washington and Sepulveda.
Oysters Rockefeller and cioppino at Scoma's in San Francisco - haven't been there in over 20 years!
Most recently, we had the best fish and chips I've ever tasted at a little takeaway shop in Stratford, NZ.
NZ lamb is incredible, of course. We cooked it often on our trip.
A wonderful, huge bowl of soup at a Chinese BBQ place in the Wellington Market - it had BBQ duck, dumplings, noodles, and a ton of perfectly cooked veggies.
Lee Ann
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Bojangles' fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, dirty rice and sweet tea.
Discovered while in North Carolina and there in nothing comparable in Iowa.
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Carpetbagger steak in Sydney
Mama O's halibut sandwich in Anchorage
Deep-fried cheese curds in Minnesota
Mussels in NZ
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Golden Kiwis in Korea...ONLY found in Korea.
Coffee...any kind from Hawaii!!! yum.
Crepes and Baguettes from Paris. Bread always tastes better in Paris.
Bagels in New York.
Coffee Milk Tea...in any chinese bakery but the best in HongKong.
Dim Sum...the best is in Toronto, better shumais than Hong Kong.
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I just typed in Cedar Point in the search box. This is the thread that came up. I ended up reading the WHOLE THING from the bottom up. Ends up someone towards the top (of course) like the pretzels there. LOL!!
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'Zio's' hand tossed gourmet pizza in Omaha, NE -- the best pizza I've ever had!! (Don't confuse this with the chain restaurant called Zio's Italian Restaurante; they are NOT the same thing.) Then there is the 'Greek Islands' restaurant, also in Omaha, NE. It is run by a little old couple from Greece. Great!! Authentic!! Greek food!!!! Oh, the Spanikopita and Baklava are to die for, hand-made, fresh daily. I was raised in Omaha, after moving away I've never found everyday casual restaurants to compare with these. (Omaha has long held that they have the most restaurants per capita of anywhere in the US.) I try to make it to both 'Zio's' and the 'Greek Islands' whenever I have occasion to visit family back in Omaha.
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Avanti's gondola's and pizza bread in Peoria, IL. The bread is sweet and chewy. Any time we're in the area, we have to stop for our fix and some bread to go.
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i visited montreal this summer and ate at 2 great restaurants. 1st vieux port restaurant in the old montreal sector. it is a steak and seafood place. we sat outside and enjoyed a steak that was absolutly perfect.the atmosphere was alive that night as i am sure it is everynight. when we left they had some clever candies on the way out with their name on it ,so my family and i each snagged up a few and to our suprise they where fruitty and absolutly fantastic. what a great way to end a great night out for dinner. the company name on the back was bonbons acme candy. great flavors. the last night of our trip to montreal we ate at a greek place called philinos. what can i say the food was plentiful and delicious you must try their fried squid. to top it off when we left again were these candies with the name on them this time the flavor was a anise flavor but a very distinguished anise. we asked the waiter what flavor they were he told us greek ouzo .my wife liked them so much she contacted the company the day we returned to new jersey. they sent us some by ups. wow montreal is the best vacation we have had in years. we are definatly going back....
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Wow, don't know why I haven't read this post. Kudos to Jennifer for starting it all, and kudos to those who kept it alive. Too much to take in at one seating, but thought I'd continue....
Conch Fritters in Jost van Dyke
Paneed Oysters at Irene's in NOLA
Grilled Fish Tacos in Hanalei
Fish and Chips at Dennis' in Bermuda
Fresh Wasabi in Palm Beach
Fried clams in Menemsha
Triberry Pie, lost forever after the closing of Chase Bakery in Kennebunkport. (sigh)
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I don't know if this is counted as traveling. It isn't even an hour from my house, but I've never seen this anywhere else:
cornbread salad at a truck stop on I-35 near Temple, Texas
I think it's made kind of like macaroni salad, but with crumbled cornbread, instead of macaroni.
It's delicious, really!
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Diet Vanilla Coke in the bottle. You can't get it here in Charlotte, NC anymore. Not enough "demand" according to the Coca Cola people....
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"Ma" Baensch Pickled Herring from Milwaukee. No other herring compares. Not even close!
Regal Brau and Huber Bock beers from Joseph Huber Brewing Company in Monroe Wi. They also brew the Berghoff line. John Kerry particularly enjoyed the Red Ale on a campaign stop.
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Something I have never seen anywhere else is olives stuffed with pate. The little city of Congeliano had this (from a deli) and it is to die for! Have never seen it anywhere else in Italy. Sooooo good (if you like olives and pate of course).
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Japw, I CAN'T believe you said Avantis! My husband is from Bloomington, IL where there is also an Avantis. As an Italian food snob I was hesitant to try any sandwich called the "gondola" pronounced the gon DO la but I'm a convert. It may make a true Italian cringe but they are tasty!
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I got so excited I forgot to post my favorite. The Crab Cakes at Ikes in Ocean City, NJ. Not fancy, just awesome!
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Yum, yum!
this first one is a cheat, because i live in chicago, but it's what i miss when i'm on vacation: a hot fudge sundae from margie's candies. the best fudge in the WORLD, and i consider myself an expert!
*MicMac's Greek Salad on the island of Corfu
*The Copper Dome's pecan and banana pancakes in St Paul, MN
*Hot roasted peanuts from NYC vendors
*UNCLE BEN'S COOKIES in the Oxford Covered Market--no one's cookies will ever compare
*Nutella gelato in Florence
*Swedish Lingon
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Forget Garrett's Popcorn in Chicago! They charge almost $100.00 (including shipping) to receive their product and then they act as if they are doing the customer some kind of favor! There is no customer service whatsoever, and if there is some kind of problem with delivery, it is ony the customer's problem. If you try to contact the "Customer Service Department", they will let you know immediately your business is not important to them. I have since discovered Dale and Thomas Popcorn. Delicious and betther than Garrett's overpriced product. No doubt that is why Oprah Winfrey selected Dale and Thomas Popcorn over Garrett's (she is a Chicago resident and would know better than nonresidents) as one of her "favorite things"... I can also add the price is substantially lower, and the customer service department understands why it exists. If you are looking for authentic Chicago popcorn, try Dale and Thomas!
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Boudan Sausage Po-Boy From Johnny's in the French Quarter.
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The creamy white she-crab soup from Virginia Beach. Some make it red. I have to have it everytime I visit my Auntie there.
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Sara, You are absolutely right about Garrett's customer service. They are like Chicago's soup nazis, however, I still thing their popcorn is the best. Dale's is good though. If you're here in person, their State and Jackson location is much more accommodating-less tourists and less crowded.
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Some years ago we had fresh breadfruit in Hawaii--it was wonderful, but I've never been able to find it again.
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I visited a friend in Perth, Australia and had a wonderful time. However, only had one meal that I never had before. Shrimp on the Barbi......I can still taste it. My friends husband made it and it was wonderful!
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Samosa at an Indian restaurant in Lautoka, Fiji. I ate it under the approving eyes of the owner with the fingers on my right had. It was so good I had a second.
I've ordered it a couple of times since in other places but it wasn't the same. Maybe I was just hungry or...
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I grew up in SC, but live in GA now and you cannot get low country (SC) BBQ here! It is a sad state of affairs and difficult to live without, lo these many years.
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Great topic! Food is always fun to discuss.
In Georgia they have a place called Catfish Cabin - not sure if it's a chain. It's been a long time but I still remember how big and delicious the hush puppies were! Also the 'sweet tea' was good.
In Niagara-on-the-Lake -very charming if you've never been - there's a place called the Olde Angel Inn - built in the 1800s - they have the best Sheperd's Pie. Also, the English Style Fish and Chips are great (my husband had them). But that Sheperd's Pie...with the cheese on top of the potatos....mmmmmm.
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The Bali Hai restaurant in Princeville, Kauai serves macadamia nut waffles with coconut syrup served with baked pineapple spears drizzled with brown sugar. (I'm drooling on my keyboard as I write this)
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I can't believe how long ago this thread started. It's been great reading for the last 2 days while I've been home sick. I thought I'd add my favorites.
New Orleans - Of course the beignets that everyone has listed are great. We had Seafood St. Jacques that was out of this world but I don't remember the name of the restaurant. For some reason "Jax" seems to be in the back o my mind.
Another one I don't know the name of was a little shack by the side of the road in Maryland that had the best crab cakes I've ever had. Nothing has ever come close.
Memphis - I was never much into BBQ until I had the ribs at the Rendevous and the rib tips at Interstate BBQ.
Anchorage - The most unbelievable crab omelet at Gwennie's. It was delicious and so big we didn't need lunch and only had dinner because it was included in the Kenai cruise we went on. The corn fritters at the Sourdough Mining Co. We got a side order before realizing that they came with the dinner so we took them back to the hotel and had them for breakfast. We wished we had bought another order.
Fairbanks - Before we went someone on one of the travel boards told me we had to get a pineapple shake at CJ's Drive-in in Fairbanks. We had a little extra time one day and went looking for it. All I need to say is if you're ever in Fairbanks go get one.
Niagara Falls, Canada - I took my parents to Niagara Falls for their 55th anniversary. They kept talking about this fish and chip place they had gone to on their honeymoon. I asked around and found that the place was still there. It may have just been the because of the memories it had for my parents but La Fiesta Fish and Chips had great fish and chips.
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Lobster and Shrimp in Champaigne sauce at Calypso Grill in Grand Cayman. Unfortunately, the Calypso was heavily damaged from Hurricane Ivan last Sept., so it will be awhile before I can taste it again.
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Ok, I'm a serious foodie, so here goes:
- Salt-and-pepper whole fried crab at R & G Lounge in San Francisco
- Ravioli with truffle cream sauce at Escopazzo in Miami
- House special chicken soup, grilled ahi sandwich and tres leches cake with a glass of champagne sitting out on the ocean view terrace at George's at the Cove in San Diego
- Chile Rellenos with walnut-pomegrante sauce from Wappo's in Calistoga
- Sashimi-avocado-roe cones at Plumpjack Cafe in San Fran
- Open face croque monsieurs at Tartine bakery San Fran's mission district
- Spicy grilled prawns with black squid ink pasta from the (with a great glass of chianti) Grotto Atlanta
- Foie gras everywhere we've had it!
Wow, there's so much more where that came from, but my sushi delivery just arrived!
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if I haven't answered already:
beignets from Cafe du Monde New Orleans
Lobster stew and lobster rolls in Maine
Breton Lobster in Paris
Steak in Tuscany
Salmon in Washington state
Crabs in Maryland
Pizza (cheese extra garlic) in New York
Really good cheap red wine in both Italy and France
Lamb in Provence
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The best ice cream Ive EVER tasted is at Walt Disney World. In EPCOT, a female street vendor near the Italien plaza in World Showcase. The pistachio ice cream is to die for.
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By far the best is at El Meson de pepe in Key West, their cuban sandwiches. To die for. Wish I could fly there and get one.
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If you've read through this entire thread, you either are or should be a regular visitor to the www.roadfood.com and www.chowhound.com forums!
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Rhode Island roadside stand Lobster Rolls
Pennsylvania funnel cakes
NYC- corned beef on rye and H&H bagels
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Fried grasshoppers in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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Sausage and peppers on a roll from the street vendors at the boston harbor! Yummy.
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Try the gumbo in Gulf Shores Ala. Its out of this world
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The one thing I miss when I am travelling is vegemite. every aussie kis grew up on vegemite on toast for breakfast. I know take my own vegemite with me when I travel to USA
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Where do I begin???
Double lobster dinner at Capt. Nicks in Bangor, Maine; clotted cream and scones in Devonshire, England (don't forget to hit up the locals for a bit of homemade scrumpy); fresh calamari, hake and chips on the beach in Camp's Bay, South Africa; crawfish etouffe in Nawlins; pulled pork sandwich with slaw in Memphis, Tennessee; and pon frits with a Trappist Ale anywhere in Belgium. Man...isn't this what memories are made of?
By the way Jennifer, did you eat that great greek salad at Pappas'?
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Rambutans from Indonesia, really good chicken sate with peanut sauce and a side of rice wrapped in a banana leaf, and scuppernong wine from NC!
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Why is it that when you try to recreate some of the simple dishes you've enjoyed, they just don't taste the same. Do you think the atmosphere, situation and surroundings have something to do with it?I often think of the large shrimp, fried in fresh garlic butter with 2 pieces of crusty garlic bread to soak up the juice. Delicious from Bubba Gumps in Bayside Miami. Tried to recreate it at home. Not the same!
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Rolled Tacos in National City, CA. I live in Michigan and spent a summer in San Diego 17 years ago. I'm STILL talking about these heaping trays of rolled tacos. My wife and I are planning a trip out there next year and you can guess what my first stop will be.
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i cant believe you guys dont have poutine in the states!!!.. thats just nuttss!!! Poutines amazingg!
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I love that cheese/caramel popcorn from Chicago..why doesn't it taste the same when I try to mix it at home?
From Canada: ketchup chips...why oh why won't Lays sell them here??? We've actually taken trips across the border to buy some and go back home.
I also like the Smarties, which taste like M&Ms but better.
I also love Caesar's and make them at home now.
From Jamaica, mon: Pumpkin soup...yum.
Jamaican meat patties...YUM YUM.
From my Puerto Rican father and grandma:
Malta India soft drink....although I have run into this now and again here in Michigan now
Pasteles.....indescribably delicious - has anyone had these?
Flan....nothing I've had here tastes as good as the kind my dad made
Bread pudding....NOTHING like what u find in the states...white bread blended with eggs, milk and I don't know what else...it turned out smooth and dense and was baked in a springform pan.
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Uh, Fodors joanna was the 500th person to respond to this thread; possibly the longest ever. I think she should get something.
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Philly cheese steak only tastes good in Philly or at the White House in AC, as well as scrapple which no one really wants to know what it is.
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I love this thread! I refer to it when traveling. However, I am going to New Orleans (I know - I have to try the beignets from Cafe du Monde) and Biloxi MS in June. Anyone have any suggestions for what I have to try while I'm in Mississippi. I've read the whole thread and haven't seen anything but don't want to regret missing out on anything either. Thanks!
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Gelato!! I have found a place on line that will ship it to you for $90 for 4 pints which is not something I'm going to do!! I'll just have to go back to Italy to have some<
Also, Ono fish in Hawaii. Leaving in the mid-west makes it hard to have much ocean fish that's not frozen!
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Littlehouse - Would you please post the website name for the gelato. My husband still raves about the pistashio gelato in Italy. I'd love to surprise him with some.
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Crab cakes from Maryland, lobster rolls from Red's Eats in Wiscasset Maine, fish tacos from anywhere near San Felipe Mexico although there are decnet ones in San Diego.
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It's not regional, but there is this pizza at this one place in NC near the Outer Banks- crazy amazing white pizza with chicken stips and bacon and black olives or something like that. One of the best pizzas I've ever had!
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nolanzzz- Charles Chips used to make "ketchup" potato chips...not sure if they still do...
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Good bouillabaise...love to order it when we travel to places that offer it!
and foie gras...came back from France looking for it...tried the canned from WMart Ugh! and some from our local wine shop...just not the same! Belle
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Here's something for all you Beignet lover's:
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La Luna in Little Italy
White Castle burgers
In and Out Burgers
Mi Casa Mexican Resaurant on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Krispy Kreme donuts
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Thin Chicago pizza with sausage from Fox's on the South Side of Chicago.
Gold Coast hot dogs with cheese, tomato and celery salt on Clark Street in Lincoln Park.
Papaya juice and a hot dog at the stand on 79th and Broadway in New York.
Summer peas and tomatoes anywhere in Italy.
Dutch baby pancakes from The Orignal Pancake House in Beverly (South Side Chicago again).
Bagels from the bagel place near Zabar's in New York.
Fried green tomatoes made with goat cheese from a restaurant in Atlanta (Parkside?).
Peking Duck from Peking Duck restaurant in Beijing, China.
Stone crabs from anywhere inSouthern Florida.
Oysters and crayfish from Shuck and Awe in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Ummmmmh, I loved reading this thread.
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Now, how is it that the above post is dated 2003? Belle
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That IS strange...now the 2003 post is gone!!! Belle
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Santa Maria style Tri-Tip BBQ. I haven't seen this posted yet.
Right now a lot of Easterners are going, "Huh?"
Last weekend, we had a huge tri-tip bbq, and will be barbequing tri-tip this 4th of July weekend. Season it with kosher salt, and garlic-pepper mix…forget about steaks!
"Somehow, despite such popularity, tri-tip has remained almost exclusively Californian. It is virtually unknown east of the Rockies. Last year, according to the National Cattleman's Beef Assn., 80% of the tri-tip sold in the United States went to California (add in the rest of the West and you've got more than 95%)."
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Has anyone seen them in Southern California?
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Swiss ice-cream - can't get any in San Francisco. Anybody knows of any place selling imported ice-cream from any European country?
I am going through a serious withdrawal, have mercy people!
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I love TIm tams, never had them in OZ but love them!
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The enchiladas with sour cream at Mothers (Health food market with cafe inside) in Newport Beach, Ca.
Pasta Pomorlo at a cafe on the harbor on Capri- and their espresso
Would love to be able to locate a legendary grape soda older folks talk about from the 30's-made by Coca Cola, I understand, and not sold in the U.S. for years. Someone said they came across some in an old gas station on a road trip some years back and it was even better than they remembered...I heard they were test marketing a similar, if not identical, product in Mexico a few years ago but heard nothing more. Has anyone encountered this?
Speaking of fabulous food that is no longer available Robin Hood cupcake mix was the best! They had to have some secret ingredient because the cupcakes were so heavenly they were truly addictive.
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Sorry if I missed this earlier. I didn't read the whole thread. But what are TIM-TAMS?
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Tim Tams by Arnott's (which I think is a sub of Campbell soup) Two chocolate biscuits sandwiched with a rich chocolate cream and dipped in smooth milk chocolate. they are highley addictive.
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Sounds good! Thanks, adoptionisfab.
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Taylor Ham sandwiches. Apparently now called "Taylor Pork Roll", and not available anywhere outside of New Jersey unless you air freight it in, apparently. Sigh. Flame broiled on white bread, on the Boardwalk....
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chile rellenos from New Mexico
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yesterday I went into a 99 store in NYC and bought some. I was shocked to see it. It was so good.
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I replied to this great post back in 07/03 and am still looking for Schwepps Bitter Lemon (for my Swiss husband) and a great European style thin-crust SALAMI pizza in the D.C. area (for both of us)! HELP ME!!!
What's realy interesting is to re-read all the posts and see how many of the (packaged) items are now widely available throughout America, all these years later...
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Roasted guinea pig in Quito, Ecuador.....tastes like chicken!
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Huang's Pineapple Beer from Guangzhou, China...and the pineapple pies from McDonald's in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Can't find the beer anywhere except for GZ! I made some at home once.
Recently went to NYC. I LOVE the fresh-mozzarella-sliced-tomato pizza there!! And I found these beef pattie things I'd had before in Jamaica in Grand Central's food court.
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Hey Travelenthusiast!
The website for the the gelato is www.ciaobellagelato.com Sorry it's taken so long to reply I have been super busy!!!
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Author: Stachi
Date: 07/07/2005, 11:13 pm
I replied to this great post back in 07/03 and am still looking for Schwepps Bitter Lemon (for my Swiss husband)...
I went to www.google.com and then clicked on FROOGLE. Once at that tool bar, I was able to input drink name and found it really quickly. Even with shipping charges, it will certainly be cheaper than a trip to Europe!
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I just came back from Tokyo, where I had the most amazing risotto at an Italian restaurant in Shibuya:
It was a Grana Padana risotto - Grana Padana being an Italian hard cheese pretty similar to Parmagiano-Reggiano (a bit milder and less salty). It was prepared before our eyes, in its own way. The chef wheeled out a half-moon of Grana Padana (they normally come in 70-pound wheels) with the risotto sitting inside of it. The chef then shaved off parts of the cheese while mixing it thoroughly with the rice. Finally, after putting it on our plates, he shaved off the remaining cheese that had residue on it, so that it'd be ready for the next order! So amazingly rich!!
My question: I've never been to Italy, but I know that I've never had it this way in any restaurant in America. Does this style have Italian roots, or was it just something fancy that this restaurant (Tanto Tanto, by the way) does?
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Ice tea, you can find it in the US almost anywhere but overseas I miss it. I am from the Northeast but I truly think they make it best in the South.
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Lobster Roll - New England area
Potat Frite w/mayo sauce - Holland
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The reason ice tea tastes best in the south is because we put lots of sugar in it. Mu friends love my tea!!
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A real Greek salad. They taste so much better in Greece itself. The ingredients are much fresher.
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Once I had Halibut filet in Seward, Alaska and really loved it.
This August I´m going to San Francisco (I live in Brazil). Is Halibut there as good as the one in Alaska?
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Philly soft pretzels!!!!!! with spicy brown mustard too!
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NYC - Greenwich Village- Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding. I will never put down pudding again.
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I'm not sure if Nolanzzz is still on this board, but I just tried Googling "ketchup potato chips" and I got a bunch of hits, so give it a shot.
As for me...one of my favorite "foods" that I can't get at home is decent alcoholic cider. I got addicted to drinking Strongbow on tap in the UK. In the States, I'm stuck with very sweet ciders, except for Magner's (when I can find it).
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The best Mexican food is right here in Southern California, and we travel to Mexico alot. AZ's is awful, NM's is drowning in cheese. However, the best FISH is in Mexico; they do know how to handle and prepare fish.
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Not so much food as juice: POG (Hawaii)
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I had answered once months ago, but I have been looking lately for my ex MIL's ceviche recipe from Mexico City she made for me when I was there last...she uses ketchup and it is so good...sounds weird, but it was deelish. I have been looking for similar but haven't found one that sounds just like it...
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Shaved Ice from Maui/Kauai
Shrimp Almondine (McT's on Sanibel Island)
Maui Onion Potato Chips
Frosty Root Beer
Coney Dogs
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Begnets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans!
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Arroz con frijoles negros and Fried Bananas Costa Rican Style, and of course Costa Rican coffee.
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Tunnock's Carmel Wafers from Scotland. You can find them in some of the import shops here in the states, but they are so expensive.
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I saw someone searching for Schwepps Bitter Lemon in the DC area.
Try Dean and DeLuca in Georgetown - they have it!
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Bless your hearts, Mystic and moldyhotelsaregross (great name, by the way)! My husband is forever in your debt! Bitter Lemon here we come!
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In the south, when you order tea, if you don't like it syrupy, order half and half (half sweet and half unsweet). It will be fine. I love shopping in grocery stores everywhere, and buy my souvenirs there often. Something I had in Boston that I haven't seen again, in one of the bakeries in the North end, something that looked like a small bagel, but was hard as a pretzel and tasted of fennel seeds. Yum.
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Saskatoon pie - in the province of Saskatchewan - but I did get to have some last week when I was home
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Stachi -
I'm so pleased you saw the posts.
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Just found and skimmed through these posts, and in between hunger pangs, here's a couple, oddly enough more my husband's than mine, and equally oddly both from a Portland, OR trip about 12 years ago:
Huckleberry parfait (in some restaurant that I am sure is long gone), and McTarnahan's Scotch Ale. We can get other McTarnahan's flavors here, but I have never seen the Scotch ale anywhere but in Portland. I also remember deelicious oysters on the half shell there that I ate with gusto and confidence, as they were farm raised and (probably) clean.
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I cannot find Calypso Coconut Rum anywhere but in St. Thomas, VI. We bought a bottle of that and one of Calypso Vanilla Rum for home. They are the most delicious rums for mixing or simply just sipping. Have tried the Malibu, Cpt. Morgan, Bacardi, etc., but they don't come close.
I am trying not to squander these precious bottles because I found out you can't buy them here in the states, at least not where I can find them, and I am trying to figure out a way to get back to St. Thomas to get them again.
Any suggestions? Has anyone ever heard of them or know where they are sold besides St. Thomas. Would love to hear from you. Email address: firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Bundaberg Rum!!!
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Just got back from Milwaukee....the absolute best: a Solly's Burger...dripping with fresh Wis. butter. DE-LISH!
Love a Maine Lobster Roll...and fried whole belly clams, too...
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Frozen Custard in Wisconsin. Yummy, but so high calorie!
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Ribs at Sticky Fingers in Charleston.
I don't usually like ribs at all, but these were wonderful!
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St. Paul, MN -- a Juicy Lucy burger (melted cheese INSIDE the patty).
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man..this thread is hilarious and so long lived!
ttt for travel foodie heaven's sake.
Kilauea rolls at Kintaro in Kauai.
Ohh..and how about Kapp's frozen custard from Milwaukee. That stuff is frozen buttahh.
Hmm..what else.. anyone else love lays brand dill pickle potato chips? I have only seen them north of toronto near Ottawa.
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Have I answered this post already? I can't remember. Well, regardless of what I did or did not say, my vote is for:
Say that 10 times fast with your mouth full!
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conch salad i ate in the bahamas every day! so delicious-if only i could find this in california!
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oh man! could i go on forever! but, the most memorable thing i miss...
HAZELNUT (nocciola) FLAVORED GELATO (from Venice)
i have NEVER had gelato as good as i had in italy... *sigh*
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While my husband and I were in Aruba in April 04..we had Carpaccio at Que' Pasa that was to die for!!I have looked on menus at restaurants at home in NC but have yet to find it!
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In Nice, France I had Italian food. They are near the border. The French food we had was outstanding, but the fresh, wonderful Italian food we ate was to die for! It tasted as if the spices were just picked. The flavors were so perfect. When asked this question...favorite food I always think of the Italian dishes I had and long to visit Italy.
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Buttermilk Biscuits (Anywhere USA). You just can't get them in Montreal. Corn Bread (New Orleans). New York Pastrami.
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Clam chowder. Paul
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The Chilean sandwich called chacarero -I actually discovered them in Boston (from a place called Chacarero because that is all they make) ... but I don't know of any other place where I can get one.
(and I NEED one NOW!!!!)
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The last time I was in Windsor, Ontario I stopped at a Burger King and they had something called "Poutine". French fries in a brown beef flavored gravy with cheese curds mixed in. Wow!
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Well, to answer the question asked, probably fried dough that I got in an authentic Greek bakery In New York City--I live in the Los Angeles area. However, in Whittier where I live, there is a Burmese, I guess it's Myanmar now, restaurant that has coconut rice. It is the most delicious rice I have ever tasted. It is at a restaurant called the Golden Triangle on Greenleaf just east of Philadelphia St. in Uptown Whittier. This rice (and restaurant) saves me a trip to Mynanmar!
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The pasta and pesto in Monterosso, Italy. Amazing, and you just can't get it here or anywhere else. The CT is the birthplace of pesto.
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I loved this thread! Thanks everyone for keeping me occupied for an hour while I read it all.
My two favorites are:
1. White Chocolate Bread that was served at the Turkoise Club Med in Turks and Caicos. So good.
2. Bloody Marys at this gar bar in New Orleans. I don't remember the name, but we stopped in to use the bathroom. It was next to a famous voodoo shop. I had to practically chew the drink it was so think, so I figured I could consider it food.
Those are the two things that are my favorites and I can't get here in Michigan.
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Detroit-styled coney hot dogs
A decent corned beef sandwich like the ones in Michigan (Bread Basket in Southfield or Zingermans in Ann Arbor)
L.A. tacos (the ones you find in those little taco stands)
A Blue 9 hamburger in Manhattan or Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor
Maine Lobster rolls
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drunken garlic chicken on the Island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands back in 1986. It was a little shack on the side of the road and my husband and myself still talk about how unbelievable it was. I'm sure the owner has passed away by now, she was elderly back then.
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Oh, and a couple of nostalgic favorites -
Green's Hamburgers on McNichol's/Wyoming in Detroit and the now defunct regional hamburger chain, Top Hat's, which was similiar to White Castle, but IMHO was much tastier.
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Curried crisps (potato chips) in London. Just buy at the local market, they're addictive.
And, Dungeness crab in San Francisco. Hands down it beats any other kind of crab -- blue crab, king crab, etc. It's white, flaky, non-oily, non-fishy. Even people who don't like crab, love it!
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Hokay - since this thread has been resurrected I am going to reply to Joyce who posted in 2003 that she had tried a delicious tomato based seafood stew in San Fran...some posters suggested it was Bouillabase, but I think it was Cioppino. Cioppino is a San Francisco fisherman's stew, tomato based, with fish and crab and potatoes (I think) and it is AMAZING!! I tried it at several places while in San Francisco and it was all good!
Other comments...
- some posters mention TastyCakes snack cakes. Well in Canada we have snack cakes called Vachon and their caramel cake is TO DIE FOR, white cake topped with a dollop sweet cream and gooey caramel all covered in chocolate, MMMMMMM!
Regional specialties are great - Crabcakes in Maryland, fried clams in Kennebunkport, BBQ in the south, poutine in Quebec, gelato in Italy, and my favourite - tapas in the Bosqueria market in Barcelona! I think they taste especially good because the flavours are imbued with the excitement that you can only get them in one place and then only rarely.
Speaking of rare - I remember my favourite chocolate bar was the "Danish" bar. I think it was made by Nestle and is no longer available - it was like an "Oh Henry" bar but was covered in white chocolate and dusted with cinnamon. Anyone else remember these?
Happy eating!
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Oysters on the half shell (scary to order in the Midwest)
She-crab soup in South Carolina
Chowder in Boston
Coffee Crisp candy bars from Canada
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Clam chowder in Monterrey.
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Maine Lobster Rolls
Cafe Du Monde Bignets
a deli sandwich from the delis near the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. They are steamed to prefection.
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Buffalo Burgers out west!
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Oh yeah! Buffalo burgers! With a local microbrewed beer while gazing out at a National Park!!
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I agree with Beignets at DuMond. Also, (I'll be d----d if I know how to spell it) Shabu Shabu in Japan. And most anything I enjoyed in Italy...tough to recreate stateside
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Another vote for Pastrami on Rye at Katz Deli in NYC.
Barbeque at roadside shacks in the South. Check out this link for a particularly memorable one just off 95 in NC. The barbeque was spectacular and the creamy cole slaw was like none I've ever had.
This guy's site is pretty good for hole in the wall local places throughout the country.
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Any food anywhere that I don't have to cook.
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Bitter lemon can also be found in the Philadelphia/Jersey shore/Delaware area. Bartenders looked at me funny when I ordered vodka and bitter lemons down here in VA. I've introduced it to all my friends.
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choucroute garnie in Alsace France
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Poisson Cru in Tahiti. Like ceviche, except with coconut milk. Divine!
Cabecou cheese on toast with honey, gently warmed. ahhh. Perigord region of France
Cassolet Even the canned stuff in the market in France tastes great. You can find it in a French restaurant here, but it seems silly to pay so much for a down home stew.
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South African Peri-Peri Chicken, Mrs. Balls Chutney and Stoney's Ginger Beer!
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In the Pacific Northwest:
Fried Razor Clams
Fresh Dungeness crab
Marionberry cobbler
Umpqua ice cream
Gold Star Chili in Cincinnati
Beignets & chicory Coffee at the Cafe du Monde
Boiled crawfish and crawfish etouffe in Louisiana
Conch salad in The Bahamas
Indian fry bread in Arizona
Ahi sashimi, freshly caught, on a fishing boat in Maui
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I moved to Jacksonville, FL recently and cannot find any sandwiches close to Primanti Bros...and also fresh chipped ham!
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Cacio Y Pepe Authentic Stick to your ribs, pasta...from ROME
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I too, must reply to the transplanted southerner in YANKEE kingdom.
I'm not sure what part of the YANKEE kingdom you are living, but if you are EVER in Syracuse, Rochester, or Harlem, NY--You have got to try The Dinosaur BBQ....No way they boil their meat, and there ribs are unbelievable! I am a transplanted Yankee in DIXIE kingdom and have yet to find BBQ as good as the Dinosaur- dinosaurbarbque.com
I also miss Hinerwadels Salt Potatoes, Grandma Brown's Baked Beans, Hoffmann's Hot Dogs, Gianelli Sausage...mmmmm
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I think that it is hilarious that this thread has been going for almost 4 years!! : )
I have to admit that I LOVE the Doner Kebab in Bamburg. And then there's the Lobster in Bar Harbor ME - Trenton Bridger Lobster Pound! YUM!
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Mosehusets Købmandshandel's aebleskiver.
Moseshusets is a cottage, thatched roof and all, built in the late 19th century. It is located in rural Borup, Denmark. Their specialty is tea. Moseshusets trades over 200 different types. They also have a small but charming dining area. After walking through light snowfall from the train station, I opened the door and was immediatley warmed by the glow of the large fireplace. I ordered hot tea and aebliskiver. It was amazing. The aebliskiver are like a combination of pancake, donut, and cake made with spices, filled with fresh apple and fried. They are little fried pieces of heaven. Covered in confectioners' sugar and served hot with fresh preserves (strawberry, raspberry and boysenberry). I can almost taste them now. Delicious! Aebleskiver can be found throughout Denmark, but they don't compare to Moseshusets. Each time I visit Denmark, I always go back.
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If you want the real Santa Maria Style Barbeque fixin's go to susieqbrand.com and place an order! You'll love it!
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Crepes! We had crepes in Aruba, Seattle and Montreal. They were all very different but equally delicious! I can't find any authentic crepes where we live (outside Philadelphia).
Also, authentic deep dish Chicago pizza (Specifically Giordano's).
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Also, in Aruba, we had these little pancakes that were awesome. They came loaded with butter and ice cream. Their name was very difficult to pronounce (started with pf I think...)
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Pluots in San Francisco...however, now they seem to be making their way to the Midwest during the summer.
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My favorite, favorite chocolates are from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company -- their dark chocolate covered caramels are sooo good.
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Italian gelato.
For those who said Penn State Diner sticky buns - I used to work at the Penn State Diner (a long time ago)! Their sticky buns were awesome. We still go back to visit and always stop to have a sticky. Now, my kids love them too.
When I worked there, they also had an ice cream parlor in front. We made the ice cream in the back.
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uglies! they are delicious doughnut-like fried glazed dough pieces all stuck together from a bakery in the outer banks, nc near buxton...i think the bakery is called orange blossom, and they close late morning or early afternoon, but there is a line for the uglies early in the morning! i bought a bag to bring back home, but they didn't make it--we ate them all on the long drive home! anyone else had these treats?
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Magnum Double Chocolate, a deadly-sinful ice cream bar sold throughout Europe. It's chocolate ice cream coated with chocolate sauce, and then "enrobed" with a hard chocolate coating. Coronary arteries tremble at the very sound of its name, but it's utterly scrumptious.
It's made and sold by the multinational conglomerate Unilever in various other countries outside Europe, but not in the United States. Several queries to Unilever about why it's not available here went unanswered, I suspect because they fear the wrath of Puritans, the American Heart Association, and the Center for Science and the Public Interest.
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I've had those desert date shakes, yummmmyyy!
Also. Lapperts Ice Cream in HI. Although, I just discovered a Hawaiian restaurant in San Jose that has Lapperts. Oh, and the brisket (beef) in Austin, TX
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Oh my, Magnums! We ate them all the time in Italy and even saw them in Thailand a few weeks ago.
My favorite foods include any sandwich made at The Sandwich Shop outside the Navy base in Gricignano Italy. He layers olive oil and fresh lemon across sliced turkey, fresh mozzarella, and whatever other fixings you like.
Italian tomatoes in season, Korean strawberries, fig gelato from the gelateria outside the duomo in Genoa, oh the list goes on.
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What a fun thread! I had a fish called amberjack in Destin, FL on vacation a couple of years ago and never see it on menus here at home in TN. Also hard to find is vinegar slaw, seems to only be in the TN river area and am looking for some in Memphis. It's best with catfish, white beans, hush puppies, and fries. Mmmm. I will have to try to sopapillas at our local Pancho's but I doubt they will compare to the heavenly ones at Uncle Julio's in Dallas. Double mmmm.
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A couple of my favorites -
Maine - Lobster and Popovers at Jordan Pond House in Acadia Nat'l Park
San Diego - Fish tacos
Tennessee - GooGoo Clusters
So many others but these stand out.
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Great thread!!!
Aruba -- at the restaurant in the lighthouse -- Strawberry Tiramisu.
Paris -- Croque Madames, crepes, croissants beurre, cafe au lait.
Gatlinburg, TN --- vanilla taffy from Olde Smokey Candy Kitchen -- sooo vanilla-y and smooth!!
Rome -- bruschetta -- made with the softest, reddest tomatoes I've ever seen, cappuccino (it's just not the same at Starbucks!).
Greece --- Nescafe!
Peoria, IL -- definitely Avanti's!! Soft, sweet, chewy bread and homemade raviolis.
London -- spinach & cheese crespolini at Sole Mio restaurant. To die for. Also, fish and chips.
Las Vegas -- the white chocolate bread at Rosemary's in the Rio; strawberry-coconut margaritas at the Mexican restaurant in the Palms.
Hawaii --- poke, roasted pig, pineapple anything and the Kona coffee.
New York -- vanilla egg creams, Indian fry bread sandwich at America in Manhattan.
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What an awesome thread!
Lemon bars in San Diego, CA at the diner there
Muffalettas at Frank's on Decatur St. in New Orleans, LA
Mango fudge in Miami, FL when The Fudgery used to be here
Mamey ice cream (red) in Miami, FL
Quahogs in Rhode Island
Poutine in Canada
Machaca in Colorado and California
Orange chocolate ice cream in Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA
Papaya pancake syrup in Hawaii
Reindeer meat for breakfast in Anchorage, AK
Mint shakes at Sonic in Texas
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Italian Sandwiches from Maine.
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Swiss cheese and beer with a mountain backdrop. Makes me cry. Something about that view.....
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Lobster rolls at a McDonald's! (in Maine)
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Nocciola gelato in Florence
Nutella and banana crepes in Charte
Fresh Grilled Lobster in Anguilla
A delicious Philly Cheese Steak
Tastycakes (I'm originally from New Jersey and they sold them everywhere, I live in Nashville now and there's none here - I can get Goo Goo Clusters and Moon Pies, 2 Tennessee institutions, here though)
A New York slice
A Frozen Custard from Rita's Italian Ice in New Jersey
Ted Drews Frozen Custard in St. Louis (can ya see I have a thing for ice cream? haha)
A freshly made warm panini in Italy w/ prosciutto, talegghio, tomotao, and basil - heavenly!
Fried plantain in the Caribbean
THB Sundae - The Hunny Bun Sundae from Cosmos in Syracuse, NY. Giant Hunny Bun w/ ice cream and chocolate sauce on top of it - sooooo wrong, but soooo good.
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cuban bread in miami
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When I was a kid we could crab and shrimp off the dock in Homer, AK. There is nothing better than the crab and shrimp we would get then.
Philly cheese steaks in Philly
Indian food in UK
Bacon in UK
Cadbury chocolate in UK
Fresh baked scones with clotted cream
and strawberry preserves in UK
Jiaozi in China
Roasted sweet potatoes in Xian,China
Mushroom hot pot in Shanghai, China
Frozen custard in Menomonee Falls, WI
Conch fritters in Key West.
Fried soft shell crabs in Atlanta.
Crabcakes in Baltimore
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Banger sausages in Canada.
Hawaiian plate lunches in Maui. They have them here, but they're not the same.
Crab cakes in MD.
Austin BBQ.
Thin Crust pizza in NYC.
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They're horrible but Waffle House, Steak N' Shake and Conch Fritters
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Some of the best seafood ever (besides fried clam strips on the Mass coast): Chili and Pepper crab in Singapore. I've never found it anywhere else, but I don't understand why, it's phenomenal!
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So many foods....so little time...my most missed are as follows
- Dolce De Leche (It's a spread that they use on everything - it's sweet, creamy and amazing!)
- Poutine (Made with Foie Gras)
- Bagels (The midwest just doesn't it right - Toronto bagels are more like NYC)
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So far I would say that I may not be able to find rice gelato in the states. I looooooved the creamy-ness of it and the little bits of rice.
Also, the British style bacon sandwiches...not sure I can find them here.
Ahh.....the best porridge I have ever had was in London......sigh. I wonder if I can make porridge just as good.
Also, great sushi in London. Better than any I have ever had anywhere else.
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Also, about 15 years ago while on a school trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, I had the absolute best corndog ever! It was made out of a hotlink and was made fresh for me.
I have never had a corn dog made from a hotlink since. I can still remember how hot and crispy and tasty it was.
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Clamatoe juice fr the US/Canada & those Japanese razor clams.
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Stroopwaffle cookies in Holland and chocolate crepes from France!
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And hummus from Israel
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Worth topping
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Arepas with cheese from Venezuela. I love the stuff.
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I would say Pasties from London...the steak kind where it is primarily steak and a really good gravy, Yum!
I saw pasties on a menu in a local pub in my city, but I haven't tried it and have no idea if it would taste the same.
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Gelato in Italy!
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ciao bello does a pretty good job with their gelato.....very good.
you can get them in some speciality supermarkets
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I will miss the mexican food at Blue Goose in Dallas, Texas when I move to Jackson, Missisippi next month.
The beef fajitas are delicious-medium rare please!!!!
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ilovetotravel29, try the pasties in the U P of Michigan if you get the chance. They're the best!
Has anyone mentioned Vermont Maple Sugar Candy - Yum!
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I'm originally from PA Dutch country, so I was intrigued by the number of people mentioning Shoo-Fly Pie, Middleswarth chips and scrapple. Many of you may not have tried red beet eggs, apple butter, Lebanon sweet bologna or hot bacon dressing.
I've lived in several different countries and I've loved many foods from each. When I'm home I gorge on the above, plus Philly cheesesteaks, Philly pretzels and Tastykakes. Otherwise, here's my list (limited by my swiss-cheese memory) of loves from:
Where I've lived:
Norway: reindeer steak, red currant jam, knekkebrod, cream cake (sponge cakes filled with real whipped cream and covered with marzipan sheets), brunost (brown goat's cheese, tangy and a bit sour, but delightfully creamy), Stratos candy bars (like the British Aero bar, but shaped more like a Kit Kat)
Seattle: Kudos to the person who finally listed Pagliacci (their white pizza is only divine!), See's Candies, Cougar Mountain Cookies, sandwiches from the deli in Larry's Markets, Tillamook cheddar, Cow Chip cookies, mochas from Caffe Vita, teriyaki burgers at Orange King, anything on the menu at Cedars, fish and chips at Anthony's. Oh, and yes, Dick's is a Seattle institution, but PEOPLE, hello?!? RED MILL'S!!! The chicken burger is outstanding!
Scotland: caramel shortbread, haggis (it sounds awful, but it's amazingly good), Lamb Rogan Josh at Ashoka's on Ashton Lane, Mackey's ice cream, cream buns at Gregg's (the one in George Square in Glasgow is the best), Irn-Bru (it's an acquired taste), Marble bars, the pre-theatre buffet at Bombay Blues, venison sausages at Littlejohn's in St Andrews, fudge from the Fudge Shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Ireland: O'Conaill's chocolates (Cork), Nocciola gelato (in Dublin's Temple Bar district; I've had Venetian gelato, and this rivals it, probably since the owners are Italian themselves); Asparagus with Gabriel Cheese and Mustard sauce at Cafe Paradiso (really, anything at Cafe Paradiso is to die for); Guinness (to answer the age old question, it really IS better over here); Bulmer's cider (it's Magner's in the States, but doesn't taste as good); Barry's tea; Clonakilty black pudding; Tayto crisps; soda farls; Tesco finest Wild Blueberry yoghurt (the Scottish Raspberry one is delish!); Tipperary lemon ice cream; any and all Magnum ice cream bars; Kit Kat chunky; Galaxy bars; Cadbury's Turkish Delight; Cadbury drinking chocolate; apple tart; yaki udon at Wagamama
And from my travels:
Lindisfarne: Lindisfarne Mead
Copenhagen: La Glace (absolutely anything from their delectable dessert selection), smorbrod (open-faced sandwiches; no one does them quite like the Danes), Akvavit, Tuborg, Anthon Berg marzipan logs, Bodum rosehip tea, polser (there should be a line through that 'o'; it's a Danish hot dog--get one with everything, including the dried onions)
Sweden: white fish with lingonberry sauce and boiled potatoes, blueberry knekkebrod, lingonberry bread, pickled herring
Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany: pork chops in white pepper sauce with sugared red cabbage and mash
Lido di Jesolo, Italy: fusili with mushroom sauce and chicken, Baci candies
France: baguettes filled with brie and served with a cup of hot chocolate for breakfast
London: afternoon (cream) tea in Harrod's, Indian food anywhere, the daily special at Food for Thought, sashimi from Wasabi, crayfish and rocket sandwiches, prawn and mayonnnaise sandwiches bought at any food market or corner shop, tea from The Tea Shop or Drury Teas in Covent Garden
Oxford: ice cream at George and Davis
Cambridge: hot cross buns at Fitzbillie's
Iceland: Icelandic chocolate bars, as many of them have liquorice in them (try, for example, Lakris), Egil's Malt Ekstrakt (a malt-flavoured soft drink), Viking Gull, Liquorice flavoured popsicles, Skyr (a thicker, slightly sour yoghurt-like product that comes in a variety of flavours), the crab bisque at Laekkjarbrekka
Calhoun, GA: Smoked Virginia (a sandwich) and a slice of Caramel Pecan Praline cheesecake at Thurston's cafe www.thurstonscafe.com, grits, Georgia peaches from a roadside stand in Calhoun (unbeatable), Vidalia Onion BBQ sauce, sweet tea made with oj and lemon juice (YUMMMMMMMY!)
Montana: blueberry pancakes at 4Bs in Missoula, huckleberry chocolate bars, Coconut Cream Pie in Lincoln (can't remember the name of the place, unfortunately), Chicken burger and fries at Q's in Big Sandy, any sandwich at Freddie's Feed 'n' Read in Missoula
and let's not forget... Starbucks in Europe uses real cream, not that fake whipped cream American ones do. Bring on the full-fat yumminess!
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New Jersey -Tastykakes, my favorite are Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes
New Orleans Beignets at Cafe Du Monde
Antwerp Belgium - I had the best waffles and chocolates ever!
The South - pulled pork, hush puppies, and pecan pie
Massachusetts fried clams and lobster rolls, NE clam chowder,
Pennsylvania Dutch country shoo fly pie and chow chow relish
Annapolis MD - crabs
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Home made chocolate Rum Raisin ice cream I ate in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I have been looking for it for years.
The wonderful beef empanadas from Chile (with hot sauce). Had them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and every meal in between).
A meal I had in Rio, but I don't remeber the name, it's a soup bowl filled with french fries with beef stew over it. I think it was called pique (pee-kay) but I'm not sure. If anyone knows what I'm talking about let me know.
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Pasty from Upper Michigan!! We make it at home but I can't find it anywhere else. It is a pie dough filled with hamburger, potatoes, and carrots and is absolutely wonderful!!! We like it so much that we make it for Christmas. My husband and Dad are from the U.P. and grew up on it.
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Cream of Crab Soup...Kent Narrows MD
Mahi or Gruoper sandwiches ~ Key West FL..BO's Wagon
La Tratorria there makes the best Tomato Basil w/ Sweet Italian sausage sauce.
Great..now I am hungry......might have to hit Portello's for a Chicago Dog or go get some pizza
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lazuliangel~ just reading your list put me in a dreamy state. Sounds heavenly and I'm relieved that I can't sample most of them or I'd be in serious trouble finding clothes that fit!
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LOL--I know; I think my waistline has expanded just reading the THREAD!
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Great list -- I'm hungrier than ever -- but no stop at the testicle festival during your Montana trips?
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Butter tarts-an ontario, canada favorite especially in the Muskoka area (where all the movie stars have their summer cottages)-these things are deadly with lovely runny centres-people are lined up for them!
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It's been awhile since I've last read this post but I came along a website that I thought might be helpful to some of you. It's www.hometownfavorites.com
I'm not sure if it's been mentioned on this thread before but it might help some of you find some of your favorites.
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Jacksonville Florida has a place called The Pig (BBQ) and I just can't get enough of that mustard based BBQ sauce. I've tried every mustard based BBQ sauce in the grocery store available and none taste like The Pig.
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Livonia, MI a small bar called Mason's has one hell of a great burger in fact two of em with grilled onions and cheddar cheese. I'll be back here any time I have meetings in Detroit.
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Poutine in Montreal
Gelato in Italy
Clam Chowder in San Fran
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Our son just returned from a month in Peru (interning/living with friends/tourist). He did not care for the roast guinea pig (too many small bones), but he sure does miss alpaca steak...
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bife de lomo (at a parilla in Buenos Aires)
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Shabu Shabu in Japan...paper thin slices of beef cooked in vegetable broth
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Steaks, New York Strip, anywhere in the USA, also, lobster, cheaper and better. Taste so different from the UK - juicier, better flavour and cooked usually just as we like.
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lobster roll. yum!
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Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach
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Frybread made in southwestern states (especially by friends in the Navajo Nation by Page, AZ)
Kebabs from shop across from Old Dominion Theatre in London
Maryland lump crab cakes
Beignets from Cafe du Monde
Pizza sold by the slice in NYC
Crab bisque in Baltimore
Any seafood dish (etouffe, gumbo, boils) from New Iberia/Lafayette/New Orleans area
A green soda (not lime exactly) bottled in the Northeast (Erie, PA?) - haven't had since early 80s.
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YES!!! to Navajo Fry Bread and Maine's lobster rolls!
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There's this little restaurant in Winter Park, FLA that has the best peanutbutter, granola, strawberry & honey pita sandwiches, as well as awesome shakes of every/any kind. If I think of the name of the place, I'll let you know! And the Juice Bar on Nantucket Island, MA has the best icecream... The Pearl (restaurant, high end) on Nantucket Island has the best "wok-fried lobster" entree as well as a tuna tartar appetizer!
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I miss tim tams from austalia. They are chocolate covered chocolate wafers with a stick of chocolate inside. Oh I dare all of you to try vegemite.
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Vegemite? Yep, tried it. Twice. My wife has a jar in the pantry (flown in by her family in Melbourne) and had vegemite toast this morning. Me, I can't abide the stuff, but I did at least give it a go. I have old sneakers I'd rather give a gnaw on than to crack open that jar again! I think maybe you have to be born Aussie to appreciate it same as English and Marmite.
But more for you all then...
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Oh, poyopoyo91 - on a more constructive note: you can mail order TimTams here in the US. Not all that cheaply, mind you, but you can. Along with Violet Crumbles and various other things. Try SimplyOz.com - they're some Aussies who are importing in small volumes.
Also, for a storefront approach, World Market is a big chain that is carrying quite a few things, including something called Arnotts Chocolate Biscuits that I think are TimTams in a different wrapper. Not sure why, but they look the same. Not sure where you live, but could be an actual Australian store around you too. We found one in Little Rock, Arkansas (we actually live in Memphis, but was out for a joyride). They even have meat pies and sausage rolls. So you never know. I know there's lots of British shops around lately.
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I really love the sausage and hot dog carts in Toronto.....the sausages are waaay affordable, and I love the toasted bun and flame grilled sausages....I very filling lunch indeed!!
I am still missing pasties and sainsbury's lemon yogurt from London...sigh.
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I'm several years late on this one evidently, but here I am, better late than never.
NOLA: Petunia's in the Quarter has a crawfish etouffee omelet that is to die for, and of course the beinets at Cafe Du Monde, and try the burgers cooked under a hubcap at Clover Grill, best burger I've ever had
For all the rendevous ribs people, they will ship them to you, I think the website is pigsfly.com
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Swiss Chocolate Almond ice cream from Goodnoe's dairy (Newtown Pa).To bad that Labor Day was their last day in business. YIKES
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I looked into ordering Tim Tams and am thinking ordering some. For some reason the packages look much different than what I saw in Oz. As for Vegemite I bought a small container in Sydney before I left and have had so much fun grossing people out. Since it has the dark color I tell them it tastes like chocolate. Only 1 person has been immune to it and I have no reason why.
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OKAY! I thought of the name of the little restaurant in Winter Park, FLA which has the best peanut butter, strawberry, granola and honey sandwiches! It's called THE POWER HOUSE, and it's directly off Park Avenue. The greatest shakes too.. healthy kinds and not-so-healthy, but all so delicious!
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Well I don't know about regional but I just got back from Arizona and Kettle Chips make the Thai Ginger flavor I haven't seen anywhere else I've been to lately and I LOVE it! I had to get 2 bags (all that would fit into my luggage) to take home. I hope they distribute that here soon in Texas...
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Conch fritters from any island in the Caribbean, and if I was not from Maine, Maine lobster!!!
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warm, chocolate dipped waffles - Belgium
fried oyster poor boy sandwiches - New Orleans
lobster sandwiches - Maine
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Bocce club pizza/La Nova Pizza-Buffalo/Williamsville NY!
Mighty Tacos-all over BUffalo NY!
Wolter's Bakery-Williamsville NY!-fabulous pastries and cut out cookies!
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A real French Baguette with Brittany butter and Brie or Camembert cheese.
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Great food and memories, too-
Blue Bell Banana pudding ice cream - the ultimate
Chicken Fried Steak and huge baked potatoes at the Stallion, Austin TX - long gone
beignets and dirty rice - nawlins
pancakes with coconut syrup - Hawaii
Cheese wheel at La Cloche du Fromage, Strasbourg Fr
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Crepes from a crepe stand in Paris. Cheese fondue in Switzerland or Paris.
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Shave Ice in Kona, on the Big Island. Especially the kind with ice cream inside. Yum!
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I love Alkmaar The Netherlands, much more than Amsterdam, so when I went to visit my daughter recently, we went up there to go shopping. Alkmaar is a great shopping town.
Anyway, I read on virtualtourist.com a review from someone who said that Old Alkmaar cheese was really good. I found a store selling it, and bought a kilo for me and half a kilo for my son. This is an excellent cheese which I'll never be able to find here in the states!
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Just back from Japan...found a frozen treat in the 7-11 there. Waffle on the outside and vanilla ice cream with a layer of red beans! Yum!
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I never eat hot dogs but a Chicago style hot dog from Portillo's or Gold Coast Dogs in Chicago hits the spot whenever I'm there.
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ahh -- fond thoughts! Thanks to all that have revived this post! I think I have gained five pounds Just Reading This!!
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Cafe du Monde Beignets and the chickory coffee are available in Downtown Disney in Anaheim. There is a Brennans restaurant there as well. Delicious after a day in the park....or before...
Opakapaka fish in Maui...yum
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Barramundi - cooked in this unbelievable Thai chili sauce. I'm from the NJ/NYC area and while in Adelaide Australia we found this great Thai restaurant and this was one of their specialties. Yummm. Barramundi is apparently rare in other areas of the world and can't really be kept that fresh being shipped from the Australian waters up to the states.
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The "ZAGNUT" candy bar... last seen in a coin-operated vending machine at Yosemite N.P. over 10 years ago... before that, hadn't seen one in 30 years, gave up and thought the maker went out of business but, surprise, and now I'm looking again for my next Zagnut surprise... so delicious and satisfying, seems to be made totaly out of peanuts but can't tell exactly, seem to remember it was an offshoot of the " CLARK BAR" but who knows? If anybody has a lead on some, please post the location.
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animallovernyc - I had Barramundi (pan seared) at restaurant rm at Mandalay Bay in Vegas. I had never heard of it before then. I'm not a huge fan of seafood, but this was delicious and so tender. So, if you're ever in Vegas and wanting to have Barramundi, you should try this restaurant. It was a very $$ place though! Fortunately, we were taken there by clients.
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I went to Spain a couple of times when I was in college and on a serious budget. I went to Pans & Co. (a chain sandwich shop) and had a Greek sub just about every day. It just had olive oil, feta cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. The bread was so crusty and delicious. I still think about those sandwiches all the time!
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That's easy.
On our recent first-ever trip to Waikiki..............
Coconut Strup
Coconut Pancakes
Paupia (I think that's the correct spelling)pie at McDonald's (of course, it is coconut, too).
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I stand corrected....
The pie at McDonald's is Haupia
We limited ourselves to one, though. Reasons I can't discuss on this board.
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lobster rolls
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Seafood tapas in Barecelona
Gelato in Florence
Crepes with Nutella in Paris
Fish and Chips in London
Sashimi in Tokyo
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I'm from Iowa and can't believe no one mentioned homegrown Iowa sweetcorn dripping with butter and salt! It peaks mid to late July and into the first week of August. My favorite food on the planet (a close second is fresh Candadian walleye fried up on shore lunch--oh wow, I'm swooning just talking about it!)
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I agree with AngelaSue about fresh sweet corn on the cob except I also like lots of black pepper on it too. Yummy!
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My first post! Though I haven't lived there for about 10 years, I can still taste the big, bready pretzels with cheese sauce from a tiny sandwich shop in Ogallala, Nebraska. It's such a disappointment when my folks visit me in Arizona and they haven't brought a couple along in their carry-on bags!
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florence...oh yum. tapas, crepes and fish and chips. love them all.
good call angela! i'm from long island and we have some good corn here ourselves! (not iowa good, perhaps but good! )
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Riso or chocolate gelato from Orvieto
Sigara borek from Turkey
Fabulous Spanish olives
Schiwasser from a little mountain hutte in the Alps
Catfish in Texas
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Sorry, I forgot a few:
Raspberry Napoleans in Paris
Chevre with walnuts and golden sultanas with a fresh baguette in Paris
Crepes with anything in Aix
A good Wiener Schnitzel from Austria
Entremeses and tapas in Spain
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A drink called Loganberry that we had in Toronto, Canada. yum
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"Fisky" lobster in Halifax, Nova Scotia - once you have had it, lobster is never the same elsewhere
Digby scallops - really do melt in your mouth
Belgian waffles in Belgium with "chantilly"
Belgian frites with REAL mayonnaise
Scones from Badger's Holt in Dartmoor - the best I have ever had with real preserves and clotted cream
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WOW - this is a post that has really survived! I can't begin to read all of the answsersso I may be a repeat but I doubt it. My all-time favorite is a Barbados staple - Flying Fish! Especially prepared by a n ative that knows what they're doing. YUM!
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I have to agree with emd - the food I've had that just cannot be duplicated at home was okinamiyaki. That was my favorite meal in Japan (Hiroshima style - not Osaka style!)
Gitta - I'm jealous, I never got to try shabu-shabu. It was always for two, and DH was busy trying to get his fill of sashimi.
I did try DS's girlfriends' vegemite. It's got to be something you grew up eating. I couldn't even stand the smell.
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Great Thread!!! Brings back so many great memories - and ideas to try!
Mine are:
Shortbread in the Scottish Highlands. You can get it here in the same wrapper but it just wasn't as fresh and inexpensive.
This lemon drink they made in Scotland in place of sprite. Loved it with vodka!
Fried turnip cake as a dim sum dish in Hong Kong. Great with pan fried pork dumplings.
The brideys (meat pies) my uncle gets at some shop in Detroit and brings to every Christmas eve get-together. Great with HP sauce!
Cream soda ale at the Market Street Brewery in Nashville. (it's been awhile and I had a few so I think that's the name of the place - right downtown against the river.)
Ok last one: Salt and vinegar potato chips from Ontario, Canada. I don't know what brand and I'm not sure it matters but when you put one on your tongue and close your lips you can feel the roof of your mouth expand.
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What an interesting thread!
Mine are:
Fish and chips in the Orkney Islands - the "chippie" was on the docks and the fish caught fresh that day. The only fish I've had that weren't greasy!
Croquetas in Spain - we drove all over the country and some places had excellent, crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside croquetas.
Seafood chowder in Prince Edward Island - my DH and I lived in PEI for 2 1/2 years. There were a few restaurants that made excellent seafood chowder that we just haven't been able to find anywhere else.
dmdevl - As far as I know, salt and vinegar chips are available all over Canada. I grew up in Ontario and currently live in Quebec across the river from Ottawa. We have it here at the grocery stores in Quebec. The most common brand is Lay's.
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I love all sorts of food, and with modern supermarkets I find a lot of it can now be bought locally. However I love 'Socca', a savoury pancake made out chick-pea flour. You get them in Nice, France. Well worth a go if you're in the South of France. Check a review of Nice food here: http://www.travelsavvy-nice.com
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There is always something somewhere that I love.
Hawaii: I want to tell you chicken lau lau with poi but truth be told
KALBI from Yummy bbq. Of course there is better but its cheap and its a quick fix for memories on any trip.
Malsadas from Leonards or Agnus's bakery in Kailua!
Italy: GELATO no other country makes it better, and they sell it all over Manhattan. Italy makes it the best.
France: EVERYTHING but I drawl the line on weird body parts (if I find out about them before hand) and foigra (well on future trips FOR SURE!)
Turkey: Casseroles: could only pick never tell you what they were. The truck stops are like little mini holiday banquets!
California MEXICAN!
England: Sticky Toffee Pudding.
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I could not resist the opportunity to be number "700."
Fried Pickles in Nashville. I make them myself sometimes now that I learned how.
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This thread is so much fun
Fried Clams (with bellies) Cape Cod
Clam Chowder - Cape Cod (captain parkers)
Maple candid walnuts - from a farmers market in VT
Fresh Apple Cider - VT
In & Out Burger - California
Stone Crabs - Sarasota - Florida
Soft Shell crab - Florida
Oysters on halfshell - Wellfleet MA
I had amazing calamari at Tarpon Springs FL
Tapas - barcelona (Spain)
Fresh lobster - cape cod
Scallops - cape cod
The most amazing Onion Rings - Arnolds (Cape Cod)
Pizza by the slice (fab thin crust) in NYC
Razor Clams in a buttery garlic sauce - Majorca (Spain)
Pink lemeonade - various in USA (you can't get it in the UK)
Lobster roll - Cape cod
Freshly made lemonade - USA (in UK lemonade is like 7up)
A perfectly cooked (and dry aged) steak - NYC (Its surprisingly hard to get a great steak in the UK)
Hazelnut Gelato - Greenwich village NYC
Mussels & Fries - France
Baby Ruths - USA
Chowder in sourdough bread - San Francisco
Freshly baked baguettes - France
Fab creamy ripe Cheese (Brie, camenbert) - France (the stuff in the Uk is not the same)
Frites - Les Halles - NYC
That will have to do for now - im off to get a snack......
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Tennessee sweet tea
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I love this thread!
--greasy breakfast from al's in dinkytown, minneapolis
--savory crepes in the south of france
--hatch green chile on anything in southern new mexico
--minnesota wild rice
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-Matsumoto's Shave Ice - Oahu
-Glazed Donuts - Titus Pastry Shoppe, Lebanon, IN
-Hummus and Falafel - Jerusalem, Israel
-Limeade and Banana Cream Pie - Bill's BBQ, Richmond, VA
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- millionare shortbread in Scotland
- English bacon
- the wonderful aged sharp cheddar and fresh yogurt in the UK that's nothing like the stuff at home
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--Belgian Frites with mayo, some in the US come close but these are the best.
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Gooey butter coffeecake from St Louis//Belleville, pepperoni rolls from WV, deep dish pizza (Lou Malnatis) and Italian Beef Chicago
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Crêpes from Paris. Why that idea hasn't caught on the US, I'll never know.
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This is almost spooky, xrae. As I was opening this thread, I was thinking about crepes! I really miss the ham and cheese ones.
I wonder, too, why those kind of crepes aren't easier to find here. After all, you can get baked French onion soup in just about any diner. And most of them serve breakfast-type fruit filled crepes. But no one has the kind of crepes you find everywhere in Paris. At least not around here.
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such a great thread!
i'd add:
the yogurt in france
irish brown bread
travelchick...banana cream pie is positively my favorite! but we have a pretty killer place on the east end of long island that does it.
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CAPH52: I agree! Some 30+ years ago, when I was a student in B'ham, there was a crepe restaurant in the Brookwood Mall - called Magic Pan, I believe. It was great!
I was thinking it should be a chain, if it wasn't already, and was wishing for one when we moved to Mobile.
I don't know why, but it went out of business. I guess there's just not enough of us crepe lov'in folks in the area??? But, they also had other great dishes - I remember their split pea soup was delish!
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olesouthernbelle, I grew up in B'ham and when I was a kid we had "Sneaky Pete's" hot dog places, are they still there ????
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We did have dinner at a savory crêpe restaurant in Indianapolis last year. They serve crêpes and home-brewed Belgian beers. It's definitely the exception. In fact, one of my favorite stops in Epcot Center is the crêpe stand in "France." Even though what they serve is a pale imitation of the Parisian original.
A friend and I were just having a conversation about regional food. She lives in Huntington, W.Va., famous for hot dogs.
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I knew of at least one near the campus, just off 20th? St. and I believe 8th
Avenue? Standing room only, as I recall.
But that was many moons ago. I rarely get back up that way. Sometimes for a meeting, but that's not often.
Where are you now-a-days?
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wild rice pancakes in Minnesota!
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Pepe's Pizza in New Haven Connecticut.......bacon...clam with bacon.... WOW!
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There was a Magic Pan in one of the malls in Atlanta too - I think maybe it was the Lenox Mall. They had the best seafood crepe - something St. Jacques (sp?) - Oh, it was so good! I miss it!
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Here's an article from awhile ago that indicates there are 2 Magic Pans that opened in the last few years. Not sure if they're still there.
I remember my mother taking me to them as a child, I think in KC. annieladd
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Interesting! Thanks for the link, annieladd!
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There was a Magic Pan in Dallas, too...in the late 70's or early 80's.
Used to be long waiting lines to be seated, but suddenly it closed.
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Homemade chocolate rum raisin ice-cream. Had it once in Buenos Aires ... should have had another one.
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As a Brit, I found the blueberry cheesecake in a little diner in NYC the best. I can't find anything similar in the UK for love nor money!
From Singapore, I loved Kaya Toast - some sort of coconut and sugar mixture slathered on thick buttered toast.
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What a great thread...my two favorite things...travel and food.
Lebonon bologna
philly cheese steaks
Blueberry pie
micro brew beers
hot dogs from the street vendors and any cake
Littly Italy in NY
cheese from DiPaolo (sp?) dairy
and any meats they have
Maryland beaches
England and Ireland
Sticky Toffee pudding
GUINNESS and BAILEYS
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lobster rolls in Maine. Not the fancy ones at tourist trap restaurants, but the little places that really know how to put them together. YUM
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Passion Fruit!!!!! Had it in Hawaii and LOVED it. I live on the est coast and haven't seen it in any grocery stores around here.
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In N' Out Burger
Bulmer's hard cider from Ireland
Essentially anything Italian: grapes, wine, cheese, focaccia, coffee, pastries, pesto
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Real, fresh mozzarella cheese like I had in Rome! The stuff here, even the really good stuff, can't compare.
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The coffees in Vienna......especially the ones served at a little place by Stadt (?) Park....loads of rich whipped cream.......and the Sacher torte that accompanied it! Nothing at Starbucks can compare.........
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Sonny's BBQ!!!! I love corn nuggets and cant find any here in SoCal!
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Pastis de Nata in Lisbon, Portugal!
They're Amazing.
(little pastry shells with a sweet custard filling)
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Martabak and martabak manis from Java
pasta caciao e pepe in Roma
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Oh my goodness. I just moved home to the US from 4 1/2 years in Ireland, and I can't tell you how much I miss Bulmer's. I said this when I posted earlier: It's available in the US, sold under the brand name of Magner's, but it isn't the same out of a can.
I've seen recently the surge of people on this thread looking for crêpes. If you're ever in Philly, go to the Reading Terminal Market. There's a crêperie in there, and they do both sweet and savoury ones. RTM is a brilliant place to shop, anyway, as they have Termini Bros, home of the most fabulous cannolis outside of Venice, the cheese shop with its inimitable selection (they import clotted cream, too, by the way) and San Daniele meats. Oh you can get so carried away in there.
My last two holidays were in January, one week each in Oslo and Venice. I would have to reiterate the gelato love. I had gelato at least once a day, and from Causin in sestiere Dorsoduro, it's unbeatable. My hotel was three doors down from there; thank God Venice is a walking orientated city! Italian sandwiches, real prosciutto, milk croissants (which I'd never seen anywhere; got 'em in a little grocery store) and Bellinis. Don't forget the Bellinis!
In Oslo I rediscovered my love of Freia chocolates, not to mention pølser, the Scandinavian version of a hot dog. But I also discovered a Turkish restaurant in Oslo (I like to seek out cross-ethnic restaurants, I don't know why) that was to die for. The owner spoke no English and very broken Norwegian, so my friend and I ordered everything by pointing or speaking baby Norwegian (we're both fluent). The food was incredible. And of course, let's not forget my beloved Norvegia cheese from Tine.
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lazuliangel, Magner's is available in bottles in the US. In fact, one of my daughter's housemates in Galway this past spring was telling us that one bottle in every case has a Bulmer's label. And I just recently saw someone at a pub in Chicago with a bottle of Magner's.
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In Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, there's a stall/stand that sells Thanksgiving Day sandwiches - all year round. Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce between two slices of bread. Delicious. I now do my best to emulate this sandwich every Thanksgiving.
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King Crab legs at Chickie & Pete's in Philly!
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NYC - H&H Bagels, and whitefish salad from Zabar's (next door)
Ann Arbor - almost any sandwich from Zingerman's Deli, and their chocolate pie is to die for
Venice - Gelato
Orvieto - coffe, morining pastry, and pizza.
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I miss the fish tacos in San Diego.
Both the Rubio's and Fin's chains.
And the little mexican take out places stuck everywhere. Nothing can beat taquito's with cheese, guacamole, lettuce, salsa and some hot carrots on the side.
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I have another one. I was in Puebla, Mexico recently and had Chiles en Nogada for the first time. Wonderful dish, and only one restaurant in D.C. has it but it is off the menu until pomegranates come in, which they tell me is late Sept.
Also had great tacos arabe there. I can't find anywhere in the D.C./Northern VA area that has those either...
I am going to Chicago soon and hoping I can find these dishes there.
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I live in NE PA and I believe Wegmans supermarket has passion fruit if there is a Wegmans near you.
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oh emd - yes, the tacos aribe on the Zocalo in Puebla. Delicious with a little mole sauce. I couldn't warm up the the Chiles en Nogada though. I really wanted to, but couldn't get with the mix of nutmeg, peppers and meat.
Another new one for me, but the rabbit with apricot and prune tagines in a little hole in the wall place in Marrakech was really good.
And Chicken Amok (a sweet curry stew) at the Bopha Angkor in Siem Reap town Cambodia may have been some of the best asian food I've ever had. Can't even find Khmer food of any type here at home.
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The back bacon sandwiches at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. I live in DC/NoVA now and can find nothing that even resembles Canadian bacon. Sigh.
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Fresh off the boat, grilled sardines in Portugal. There is a festival every year in a fishing town called Peniche, Free, all you can eat grilled sardines and fresh bread. just pay for beverages...gotta have Sargres(portuguese beer).
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clifton, the very best tacos arabe (not aribe) I found in Puebla were at Las Ranas (on 2 Pointe, btwn. 5 de Mayo and 3 Norte). OMG. They have the meat on a rotating spit at the front of the restaurant and one guy guards it and bastes it and tends to it full time, and he slices the meat for every order of taco arabe (which is about all they serve). I was there last week and ate 3 out of 6 lunch/dinner meals there. And twice while I was there they had spontaneous music, guys w/bongos or guitars just came in and started playing. I was so entranced by the tacos arabe. It was just intoxicating. It beat the pants off of Tacos Tony or anything on the zolcalo. Go back to Puebla and go to Las Ranas.
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but they never put mole sauce on tacos arabe...
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I'll do that! We liked Puebla.. may take awhile to get back though (we have a list). Going to Guantajuato in a few weeks though for Independance Day. Probably as close as we get for awhile.
You're right, btw. I know I'm wrong on the sauce. Well, sauce that was provided if you wanted it anyway - but it wasn't mole. This had a bit of a zing to it and no chocolate. A bit more like a dark red than brown. I don't know... lol... it was good with the fresh trimmed meat, in moderation, though.
I tell you what though. Sacriledge it may be to eat pizza in Puebla, that Vittorios italian place on the square has an amazing pizza with olive oil/pesto base instead of sauce. Unexpected, but one of the best I've had.
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Salmon that is wrapped in banana leaves and baked in a wood over - Barcelona, Spain. Some little place right on the water.
Sweet Potato pancakes with praline syrup- served at a place called Atkins Park in Atlanta (Virginia Highlans and Smyrna)
Warm plain donuts and apple cider in Michigan in the fall,
Nutella from france... yes, it tastes different that whats in USA supermarkets.
Authentic Southern friend chicken, with potatoes, greens (collard, mustard, turnip) and biscuits.
Foodies of the world unite on Fodors. How funny.
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I agree that one of the pleasures of travel is experiencing that region's/country's culture through its unique cuisine. And just taking advantage of produce, meats, etc. at the source where they are freshest. For truly devoted foodies, check out the site chowhound.com for in-depth discussions on restaurants, recipes, etc. It is great for checking before a trip. That said, here is my hit parade:
Number one experience that cannot be duplicated - shark and bake sandwich from any beach vendor on Trinidad. Amazing fried fish on fried bread cooked to order that you dress yourself from any of about 6 different homemade condiments like hot sauces, etc.
France: cheeses
Italy: any pasta or pizza. had the most amazing lemon gnocchi and pizza in a tiny town in Tuscany. Don't think you are going to get great cuisine at the cafes on the squares of must-see sites like Trevi fountain or the one close to the Uffizzi in Florence. It is fun to sit there at those and be one with the atmosphere, but often the food is overpriced and frankly, sucks.
Maine: lobster rolls, Grapenut ice cream, blueberry pie
Caribbean: grilled lobster - especially at Fish Pot in Barbados. And I agree with another post - flying fish sandwiches are great.
I have never been a fan of Creole or Cajun cuisines, but muffalettas and bread pudding in New Orleans are hard to beat and the fresh shrimp you get there is great.
For the foodies that like to wander thru groceries, if you go to London you must go to Harrod's and see the amazing food floor. Counters of prepared foods by type, different restaurants, bakery, they have it all there and are so proud and proprietary that they do not allow photography. Whatever - that seemed silly to me, but it is an amazing food experience. Like Zabars on steroids, IMHO. Fortnum and Mason's is a fun stop too, but not as varied.
Greece: fried sardines, stuffed grape leaves, and my husband said to mention retsina, a liquor made from pine. It's not great tasting, but it is a Greek experience. Greek salad, yeah, like people said, but frankly I have no trouble replicating that because it is so basic. If you go to Santorini, (DO) drink the wines made there. Although it is hard to find them in the states, at least in Nashville, they are wonderful and recognized as such due to the properties of the volcanic soil.
Seattle/Portland: any berries and other produce that is grown nearby, often organically.
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1. the custard tarts they make in Portugal- I think they're called paste de belem
2. the mayonnaise (if you can even call it that) they standardly serve with your meal in France
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We bought ice-cream at the supermarket on Kaui that came in tropical flavors like mango, passion fruit, haupia, etc. It was delicious. We are going to maui next month and I cant wait to get it again.
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Ok...I did a search for freezing ackee, and ended up here, gaining 25 pounds! BTW..does anyone know how to freeze ackee? I was told I could, but not told how. I have a few ripe ones, but not enough for a meal...never cooked it either, although I have a few recipes...could be interesting. Might have to have some island friends cook it for me!
As for food...Matsumoto's shave ice in Oahu
I miss Eckrich lunch meat from the midwest (live in FL now)
My brother's smoked brisket...dry rub...best in the world, but he lives too far away.
And...if you ever go on Carnival Cruise Line, you MUST have the warm chocolate melting cake at dinner. On the menu every night as an alternate selection. Sometimes better than other times...must be slightly baked cake around the edges, but more like hot fudge in the center, served with their home made ice cream...to die for!
Also...had the Lay's dill pickle chips in Canada. They came out with them a couple years back here in FL for a short time, but did not taste as good. Hmmm...
White Castle sliders....must be fresh, not the frozen crap at the grocery store.
Home made chicken & noodles at any Amish restaurant in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Marco's Mexican Restaurant...think it was in League City, TX, or near there anyway....best Mexican I've ever eaten. Although, we have Pueblo Viejo in Port St. Lucie, FL & it's very scrumptious!
I had to post to keep this thread going....don't stop now, people...the USA is now the most obese country, so we have to keep gaining weight by reading this thread!
Happy travels, Tazarino
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It is said the food in the UK is bland, unimpressive. During my trip to London, I did not find that to be the case. "Clotted cream" always sounded like a nasty thing to me, until I had it! I discovered "Rocket" served in many salads and on many sandwiches there. I liked, searched it out once back in the US, and discovered it is another name for Arugula!
Someone must mention "Rocky Mountain Oysters". I really did like them when I tried them.
As well as other odd foods:
Fried Pickles
Chocolate Covered Grasshoppers
You gotta try everything once.
And yes, I do go in groceries to check out the local food. Once in Aruba tho, I was grossed out by the extremely overripe, bug buzzing vegetables & fruit in a grocery!
Bon Appetit!
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Sorry - a PS
Menudo - after eating it in San Antonio, and truly enjoying it ... I learned from the waiter the main ingredient is tripe (generally intestines).
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levelheadedwoman -- Fried pickles is a pretty good appetizer, no? Actually, so is gator (tough and needs tenderizing). Both are on the menu here in Central Florida, but I've had pickles in the Dallas area as well. Yum!
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It's hard to find a good cannoli in Houston!
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>Croque Monsieur in Paris - couldn't find it in the South of France or anywhere in the US - not even close!<
I agree! My local Whole Foods Market had them available in their deli, but I couldn't bear to tarnish the memory of the real thing I had in Paris. Looking forward to having my next authentic CM in April '08.
Also...Garrett's popcorn, Chicago. Saw someone mentioned this, as well. Promising a stop at Garrett's is the only way to convince my 13-year-old daughter to ride the train downtown. Works every time, though!
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Freshly made soft pretzels, straight from the baker's oven, in Philadephia, PA.
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Where in Philly?
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I'm British but would like to add Reeces Peanut Butter Cups!
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