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Oh, the Things You’ll Learn (and Eat)

Posted by amy on January 30th, 2009 — Posted in Mayor's Decree

America is a vast wasteland melting pot where one can find a mixture of food, fun and ideas that varies greatly even by a short distance. It is often easy to take the local flavor for granted assuming something is nearly a rule rather than an exception. Such was the case this week.

My new VP is in the process of relocating to Bentonville from Newark, New Jersey (can you say culture shock?). After a brief description of the “mystery meat” she encountered in an area restaurant I realized she was talking about chicken fried steak, a delicacy or abomination(depending on your culinary stamina) she had apparently never heard of before.  Our team graciously clarified that it was not, in fact, chicken but rather cheap cube steak beaten to a pulp, battered, fried (like chicken) and topped with gravy. To serve without mashed potatoes and more gravy was criminal. She assured us she had received the requisite sides.

Her next culinary encounter was the serving of biscuits where ” people poured fluffy, white sauce on top.” Yes, biscuits and gravy (i.e., B&G) – another culinary delight of the heartland although not really too healthy for the heart.  The latter she questioned which we replied: “Yes it’s full of cholesterol and fat but it’s Arkansas and no one cares.”

Salute to local delights and whatever trans-fats they may carry. Here are a few of my own regional indulgences. What are yours?

Chicago Style Pizza – Gino’s East

St. Louis Style Pizza – Balducchi’s

Guacamole and Chips – Garcia’s, Matamoros, Mexico

Fried Green Tomatoes – my dad’s

KC BBQ (preferred over any other style) – Jack Stack, Overland Park, KS

Memphis BBQ – Rendezvous, downtown Memphis

Clam Chowder – the Black Pearl, Newport, Rhode Island

Italian (in general) – Zia’s or Mama Campisi’s on The Hill

Parmesan Egg Salad Sandwiches – Pret a Manger (originally in London)

Cappuccino – Cimatori Bed & Breakfast in Florence

Springfield Style Cashew Chicken – looking for my new fave place

Mexican – Mexican Villa but it’s got to be the original on National

Spaghetti Bolognese  – Il Gatto e la Volpe (The Cat & the Fox), Florence

Macaroni and Cheese – my mom’s

Shrimp Scampi – Anthony’s Fish Grotto, San Diego

Conch Fritters – Topsider, Bristol,RI

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