180 Comments

New Englander here — I love a good chowder (white clam or corn)! I also love clams on basically anything or just steamed — such an underrated protein.

Also every Christmas, my mom gives my husband freshly baked apple cider donuts in his stocking. It’s hard to find good ones outside of the northeast.

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CORN CHOWDER!!!! is corn chowder a summer thing since corn's in season?!

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Moosewood has a summer succotash chowder that is very good and I add butter beans!

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Fellow New Englander here! You're so right about the apple cider donuts—they're a fall staple! Also, I recently had "chowder fries", which were french fries covered in clam chowder with steamed clams on top (like disco fries but with chowder instead of gravy)....they were incredible

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STOPPP I would f up a plate of chowder fries OMG

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Totally agree. I'm originally from MA and since moving to Seattle I miss and crave these!

Also, GOOD bagels, boiled lobster dipped in butter, half moon cookies, morning glory muffins, munchkins/doughnut holes, and Portuguese food like chourico and peppers or chicken Mozambique.

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Same! Yes to all of the above, plus Dunkins iced coffee and ice cream hand scooped by local high schoolers year round if that counts 😉

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From the Central Coast of California - Monterey - AKA the salad-bowl capitol of the world. I love, love, love grilled artichokes with balsamic glaze. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was the first Artichoke Festival Queen??

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this is a FABULOUS ENTRY. i LOVE grilled artichokes. but i'm southern so... butter instead of balsamic glaze hehe

https://www.carolinechambers.com/recipes/vegetarian/grilled-or-steamed-artichokes-with-lemon-pepper-garlic-butter

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Tennessee loves a Tomato sandwich!! Dukes Mayo, a giant beefsteak tomato slice (or 2!), salt/pepper on white bread 🤤

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Can we start a convo about how dukes is absolutely the ELITE mayo?

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Yes! There is no other mayonnaise.

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NC gal here and we also love a tomato sandy with Dukes on WHITE bread, salt & pepper only!

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I'm from Iowa, and one thing we loved was Snickers Salad! The Midwest is great at calling a dessert a "salad" to make you feel better about eating it 😂 it is chopped apples and snickers, mixed into a pudding/whipped cream combo, and it is SO GOOD! I'm also a big fan of the Midwest Sushi you shared :) and we love a good scotcheroo!

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ok i'm revisiting this thread and this is WILD!!!!!! WHAT!!

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From MN and this is so spot on… grew up thinking jello salads & snickers salad were the norm!

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SC gal — fried okra, pickled okra and beets, fried oysters, oyster shooters, banana pudding (custard only - don’t come at me with jello pudding), cream cheese with pepper jelly, Duke’s Mayo, vinegar-based BBQ!

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ok this is a FANTASTIC list. i need to do fried okra this summer!!!!

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If you are frying okra, you definitely need to fry squash and zucchini too! We had porch lunches every summer Friday growing up and this was a staple!!

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this made me think of pickled squash! YUMMMM

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GA gal here to co-sign alllll of this!

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I’m originally from Western NC and would 100% agree with all these. No Jello or Cool Whip on the nanner puddin, only homemade custard and fresh whipped cream

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Buffalo, NY here! Anything Buffalo wing sauced... buffalo chicken wing dip: shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cheddar, blue cheese crumbles and some creamy something to hold it together! UM PLEASE DO A BUFFALO TAQUITO?!?!? Also roast beef on weck: beef on a roll with big flakes of salt and caraway seeds!

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I'm from the midwest and was never a fan of midwest sushi but chili cheese dip also seems very midwestern: In an oven or microwave safe pan, dump a can of hormel chili (I prefer the kind with no beans), top with a packet of cream cheese, then top with two cups cheddar cheese, microwave or put in oven until cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips. Easy and always a hit!

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i can practically TASTE how delicious that is!!!!!!

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Ohhh yes chili cheese dip is 💯💯💯 every time I went to my best friends house for a sleepover growing up her mom made it because she knew it was my fav!

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i need to remember this for when i share a chili recipe here, as a way to repurpose the leftovers! YUM!

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Oh yes brilliant! I’ve always just used the canned stuff, never thought about using homemade chili!!

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As long as it's a really thick chili, that would be a great way to repurpose! And much nicer to look at....canned chili looks like dog food 😂

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I love that y’all also call it “cheese dip” - Arkansans like to claim this as our alternative to queso. Velveta + rotel is the classic around here!

Another favorite dip in this same vein- seasoned & browned sausage mixed with cream cheese. That’s it. That’s the dip. 🤣

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This is a NC specialty too hahaha. My mother in laws go to! Must serve with Fritos!

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Ooh yes my aunt’s “famous” crack dip is browned sausage, cream cheese & 2 cans of rotel and eat with fritos. I could eat it myself in one setting

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this is my MIL's "famous" recipe too LOL!

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I’m a fan of the even easier can of chili no bean + velveeta. 😂. I didn’t know there was a fancier recipe.

Any potluck in MN is guaranteed to include at least 3-5 cream cheese based dips.

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Velveeta and can of Rotel was in the rotation a lot as well!

😆 my husband is from the northeast and lactose intolerant so he basically starved the first time we went my family’s in the Midwest over Christmas.

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I was today years old when I learned that this is Midwest specific instead of growing up thinking that I thought everyone had this everywhere 😆

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I grew up in West Texas. I love kolaches! The fruit kind, the cheesy jalapeño sausage kind, any kind. Also love a good chili (beef no beans) with cornbread or fall-apart-delicious smoked brisket with peach cobbler and vanilla Bluebell ice cream for dessert.

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also.. BLUEBELL. so jealous. why isn't it nationwide?! it makes no sense!

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I’m sorry, bluebell is NOT NATIONWIDE!?!?? 🤯

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Another Texan with a chili (no beans) vote!!

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YES love a texas chili.

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I must be the only Texan who likes beans in chili.

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I’m a fervent beans-in-chili Texan

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Alabama orange rolls 🤤🤤🤤😋

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I need to know more! Is it like a cinnamon roll??

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It’s like a cinnamon roll, except with orange. I’m working on a recipe for it for my southern baking book. Some people say it started in Birmingham with a mom and her two sons, and other say it originated at a Greek steakhouse in north Alabama. So, remove the cinnamon, add grated zest, sugar and melted butter for the roll-up filling, and then make a confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, zest glaze. Yeast dough, done.

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I make a shortcut version using crescent rolls. Press seams together, spread butter, sprinkle sugar and I use a little cinnamon. Roll up like a long jelly Rolland cut into pieces. Bake and when done make icing using orange juice, powdered sugar and orange zest. An old southern living recipe if I remember correctly

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ah, YUM. reminds me a little of this recipe which i believe is from a Chattanooga, TN junior league cookbook :) :) https://whattocook.substack.com/p/bonus-recipe-for-caramel-cinnamon?s=w

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The Junior League of San Antonio is releasing a cookbook to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year! JL recipe favorites could be a cool round up!

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If you ever see Sister Schubert Homemade Orange Rolls in the freezer section, GRAB 10!!

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Yum! Dinner on the Diner! Also a good place to find the very famous Broccoli Brag.

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I’ll look for that, thanks! I made little cinnamon rolls the same way and push them into mini muffin pans.

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The All-Steak in Cullman, AL is who I think of as the original orange roll location! Their recipe is so good!!

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Yes! But with orange zest

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Where did they originate? Love them!

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Yes I think Cullman, but not totally sure. A lot of restaurants in bham serve them.

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You are right! It’s Cullman. All Steak restaurant. He was originally from TN. But to me the use of orange in a sweet roll and to serve a sweet roll in a steak restaurant? There’s got to be a story.

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I can ask! My sister-in-law’s family used to own the All Steak (I don’t think they were the original owners...but they may still know the legend).

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Susie, I would love to know the story. I’m writing a book on So baking, and this recipe is on the book. You can email me directly at anne@annebyrn.com

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A Louisville original — Benedictine. Named for Jennie Benedict, who was well known for her cooking & tea room back in the day. Benedictine is like a creamy cucumber spread and you can make sandwiches with it or just eat it like a dip. It’s kind of associated w the Derby because it’ll pop up all over town in the spring especially but you can get it anytime. Super tasty and refreshing and very Southern. Yummm! Here’s the alleged original recipe : https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/2018/04/25/benedictine-spread-louisville-recipe/547398002/

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Cincinnati chili and buckeyes are two favorites from Ohio!

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I'm a hybrid from Arizona, but raised in NC and live back in AZ for a while. Some of my favorites from NC are BLT w/ Pimento on Sourdough (thank you Merritt's in Chapel Hill), and fried grits (you save the leftover grits in a tall glass put in the fridge overnight, cut into grit cakes and fry on the stove the next day!) SW favorites: Green Chili Burro's and Tamales.

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HOW have i never made fried grits???!?!??!?! thank you for this!!!!

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OH OH I forgot! Lady Fingers Ham Biscuits YOU HAVE to figure out how to replicate. IYKYK They are a sister schubert roll with chopped ham and honey i think. OMG to die for. If you have ever been to a baby shower in Raleigh, or a catered meal, I bet you've had them. so dang good

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I think it’s brown sugar and butter and then thinly shaved country ham!! I’ve eaten a lot of those and 😋😋😋

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"if you have ever been to a baby shower in Raleigh" - SO true! Ladyfingers ham rolls are the best!!

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Merritt’s BLTs are 💯

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Merritt's! I recently left the Triangle and wowww I miss it

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OMG this brings me back

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New Mexico-ish: Chicken posole (pozole?) soup is the ultimate comfort food in the winter but also somehow works with a margarita and pile of avocadoes in the summer. There are tons of recipes out there for red and green versions - the key is hominy which is an under appreciated pantry ingredient. I prefer the green version made with tomatillos ... if you want to be a sinner like me you can just dump in a jar of salsa verde!

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I’m from Chicago but my partner is from Nebraska and has introduced me to cinnamon rolls with your chili. Apparently they even have this for school lunches there. It sounds like trash but I have to admit I’m a convert.

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I grew up in southwest Washington state and my favorite "hot lunch" at school was chili and maple bars! Sounds strange but the combination is delicious.

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I just moved to Washington and maple bars are my new favorite thing! I’ve always loved chili so I’ll have to try the combo!

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Does anyone have a maple bar recipe?? I can't figure out what it is from googling!!

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It’s a long John donut with maple glaze on top. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_bar

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I went to school in Arkansas and this was my FAVORITE cafeteria day--Chili! because there was the promise of a stick of cheddar cheese (to slice with your spoon and add to your chili) and a humongous cinnamon roll.

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I grew in NJ but have lived in MA my whole adult life. NJ: pork roll, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches on a goooood bagel! Nobody does breakfast sandwiches quite like the tri-state area (NJ, NY, CT). New England: clam chowder and apple cider donuts (like someone else already mentioned!). I think breakfast in general is just done well up here—we've got great blueberries, apples, and syrup, and it's usually cold so you're in the mood for something cozy like pancakes or french toast :D

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My husband is from NJ and has totally converted me to the pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich

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Oh and sausage and peppers! How could I forget this Boston street meat classic??

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I’m from Texas (central and now Southeast) so my favorites are chili (no beans) especially in a Frito pie, Texas sheet cake (the chocolate one you pour hot icing on), and Tex-Mex (enchiladas, tacos, nachos, queso!)

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Texas sheet cake is next level

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I live in MA: clam chowder, fried clams, lobster rolls, steak tips, and hermit cookies!

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Okay, I have to know what hermit cookies are!

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Ok so they are a really delicious kind of soft cookie that is in the same family as a molasses cookie! https://www.bonappetit.com/story/hermit-cookie-reclusive-recipe/amp

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Any chance you’re associated with D’ags deli in Arlington??

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Yes! What are hermit cookies?

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i gotta know too

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Hermit cookies could be the American version of the NZ/Australian anzac cookies (it stands for Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces), which are made with rolled oats and golden syrup and were often sent in care packages to soldiers fighting on the front in WWI. The key thing is that they didn't use eggs, which were in short supply during the war, and biscuits without eggs last much longer.

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I live on the coast of Maine. My Fave Regional specialties - crab cakes, lobster rolls, and haddock (sandwich, fish tacos, chowder). And blueberry pie!

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New England (specifically NH) and EVERY single time I’m home I have to get marinated steak tips from the butcher. You really can’t get them anywhere else and they are just my love language. Some of these butchers have a case with like 8 different marinades displayed like you’re at a gelato shop or something. AH-mazing. I believe the technical name for steak tips is “flap meat” which just sounds terrible but I promise it’s the best summer grill feature

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OMG steak tips! I grew up in Dover, moved to Maryland in high school and lived in Boston for 6 years after college. You really cannot get them outside of New England but dang I love them. #livefreeordie

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I'm from Tampa, FL which is such a fun melting pot of Cuban, Italian, and Southern culture/ cuisine. We're the home of the Cuban Sandwich (not Miami!) and I would say that sando and our 1905 Salad from the Columbia Restaurant are some of our best regional offerings here. The Columbia Restaurant opened in 1905 and is the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US. The dressing has Lea and Perrin's Worcestershire sauce in it and the salad is so popular here that the Columbia is the biggest restaurant consumer of Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire sauce in the country. 10/10 would recommend for your salad club, Caroline!

https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/The-Columbia-Experience/Recipes/1905-Salad

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100% agree on the 1905 salad DELISH!

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From Louisiana, love jambalaya (Cajun not creole, don’t @ me), red beans and rice, pot roast with rice and gravy

Now we live in Maryland and love crabcakes (just a few crumbled up ritz crackers are the secret ingredient I’ve learned about since moving here), love chowder and have bastardized it with crawfish tails from home and a dash of crab boil added to the broth!

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Pot roast with rice- this is the way.

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New Orleans girl, too -- YES to pot roast with rice!! And red beans and rice, and jambalaya.

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Exactly, y’all!!! Pot roast is meant to be served with rice and gravy! It is the only way!

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