My location says Richmond but I'm from the Philadelphia area, so there's only one word that needs to be said:

CHEESESTEAK.




(& also, the Tastykake factory, so Tastykakes!)


Edit: Also - I'm not sure on this one, but scrapple, perhaps?

And don't forget Taylor ham! :)

Another midwest chain...Steak N Shake. Love the original single with everything, cheese fries, and a strawberry shake. I know that if I ever move out of this region, I'll go through withdraw.

Here are the states where you could possibly safely move... ;)

http://www.steaknshake.com/pics/newmap.gif

They really are outstanding.

In the St. Louis area, there are toasted ravioli, Imo's pizza and Pork steak. All of which I miss since I moved to Michigan...especially the Imo's pizza even though I know that some people will say that other pizza is better. :)

Add Oklahoma to the above list. I hear they're opening here soon.

Ooooh. I love toasted ravioli. We have it here but it's generally cheese-filled...not that I am complaining about it, mind you. :D St. Louis is the only place I've been where it's usually meat-filled.

For those out west, what about Fatburger? I've had it in CA and Las Vegas and I love it. I just looked at their website and apparently they'll be expanding to the Chicago area soon...wooo!

lindsay_iu, I used to go to Steak 'N Shake alllll the time when I went to IU. It was the best place to eat at strange hours of the night...still is. :) It finally returned to the Chicago area a few years ago, and I'm very happy about that.

Steak and ale is good...but what is really good , if it is still there in OKC, its on NW expressway Lonestar....my god their steaks are to die for and put Outback to shame

I had no idea Wisconsin had Steak n' Shakes...I've never been to one, or even seen one.

One in Wisconsin
 

Only one in Wisconsin. Here it is:

JANESVILLE

3012 Deerfield Road I-90, Exit 171C
Janesville, WI 53546
608-741-7972

Re: One in Wisconsin
 

Oh that explains why. I've been to Janesville maybe 5 times in my life, usually passing through. :p

I like Steak N Shake. Personally I think the best hamburger is fat burger. In N Out is good but there's nothing so special about it that's it's better than the rest. It's a burger.

-Rudey
--In Chicago, we've got burger depot down south not too far from the highway

Hmmm... interesting.

Maybe buca started in Cali? I read something like that somewhere.

But i do know of an italian restaurant native to chico. it's just called the italian cottage. there is a sister restaurant in davis called cafe italia. they have a sandwich called "the little italy" and it has everything on it... i mean everything. and can't forget elmer sundaes.

They do ship all over The World!Cozies, Cozies, Cozy Burgers, Salina Ks. 10 Times Better Than White Castle Belly Bombers!:D :cool:

Bet you cannot just eat one!:D The fragrance permiates yur every pore and makes you slobber like a Dog!;) Nummy!:)


Buy Them Frozen by the dozens and nuke them!:)

Used to have a supplier:( Not No More!:(

Better Than Drugs, and legal!:D


Sorry, Steak N Shakes suck for food, !:eek:

B-Bops.

www.b-bops.com

Drive-in burger joint in Iowa. Reminiscent of 50's diners--they're so good. They also have kickass superthick shakes.

Buca and PF Changs are both national chain restaurants.

Buca (http://www.bucadibeppo.com) started in Minneapolis and PF Changs I think started in Arizona before going public. There's an Italian place that's kinda fun called C&O trattoria out by santa monica i think that you should check out. They sing and all that jazz.

-Rudey

Ok, nobody from Michigan has chimed in, so here goes:

Vernor's
Sander's Hot Fudge
Awrey Bakery products
Mackinac Island Fudge
Buddy's Pizza
Big Buck Brewery Beer
Any and all foods in Greek Town
Ball Park Franks

Dee

They built a steak n shake near me about two years ago, it was the first time I had it.. awesome!

There's a good deli in Ann Arbor and I can't remember the name. Best in the midwest (that's like being one eyed king in the land of the blind but whatever).

-Rudey

That would be Zingerman's

Also from Ann Arbor.. Dominos, the first was on Washtenaw between Eastern Michigan U and U of Mich. Cottage Inn Pizza is pretty awesome too, also originally from Ann Arbor (but the chain stores in the metro Detroit area are awful)

Bottom line...
Nothing beats down home, down south , cajun New Orleons food.....

We have that type of Sandwich here in Cleveland. the name of place that makes them is Paninni's.

Rudey, love ya but you are out of your mind! In N Out is awesome, fat burger is just blah! Maybe in Chicago blah=good? ;)

to add to the list.. i dont think i have seen any of these yet..

hush puppies
cornbread.. my mom makes the best broccolli cornbread..
grits
sweet potatoe pie
iced tea.. (with tons of sugar..like drinking candy)

specific to va.. salty country ham (you can beat smithfield or todd county ham)

They have a Fat Burger here. It's in the casino in Roseville. I dunno about them though. I had one once and I had the worst stomach ache. Too much grease or something. :(
I still love In N Out though cuz they make everything fresh. Although Jack in the Box does too, In N Out just tastes better.

Ok... question for everyone. I went back east a few years ago. There was a restaurant that had an ad campaign that featured cows with signs that read "Eat More Chickin." (Spelling, suprisingly, is correct.) Is that for Chick-a-fil? I don't see those out here. Don't remember eating there, but the ad campaign was hilarious.

There is also the Salty Dog Cafe in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I just remember the gift shop really. And they had good lemonade.

Yes, that is Chick-Fil-A!

They always have cute little advertisements with the cows. The best is the monthly calendar they sell with coupons as a fundraiser for different groups. Something about seeing a cow on a balance beam or on the ski slopes ;)

Okay, my friend and I are wondering....is it pronounced

chick-fil-ay

-or-

chick-fil-ah?

Sorry for the hijack, but my friend and I don't know!

Chick-fil-A (long A) "Chick fill aye" as in filet...Chick-fil-A

(This forum is so educational.)

It really is awesome. IMO, the best chicken sandwich around. And their waffle fries are pretty kickin' also.

Thanks ever so much! I win $5!!! Ha ha, that'll teach Kara to doubt my intuition!

I agree with all of the fans of Chick-fil-A and Steak and Shake- both awesome. No one from Cincy has posted, so I will add our well knowns.

Skyline Chilli (cincy style chilli and three ways)
Goetta (a personal fav, just dont read what it is made out of!)
Graeter's ice cream
lot's of local beer
and home to the first Hofbrauhaus (of Munich) in the U.S.

My husband, who is a Cinci native, would also add:

Grippo's (sp??) potato chips
United Dairy Farmer's ice cream

to the list. When ever we go to Cinci we come back with bags of Grippos!

Kewpee Hamburgers, its local joint that makes their stuff fresh everyday and while you are there so it dont sit in some stupid warmer.
Also...
Happy Daz (days) they got great shakes and breaded mushrooms to name a few

Thought of another:

Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Made fresh in LeMars, IA. One of the largest Ice Cream makers in the country. And Oh so tasty.

braums.
sonic.
bb-Q
fried chicken

OK, so this probably is more of a "certain time of the year" thing than regional, but I love Iowa State fair food. It's the best part of going to the State Fair... gorging on everything that could possibly come on sticks - corn dogs, cheese, deep fried Snickers bars and Oreos (haven't tried these yet) and God only knows what I'm forgetting. Plus obvious fair stuff like Grater Taters, Funnel Cakes, and Grinders.

And don't forget pork chops on a stick, hugeass turkey drumsticks and dippin dots!

Buffalo Wings
 

No one mentioned this! This one regional food has become popular everywhere. It must be served with blue cheese dressing and carrot sticks. And beer.:D

What cracks me up, are those rare occasions when someone says, "I didn't know that buffalos have wings," and they mean it. Uh, the recipe for the wings are from Buffalo, New York. "Oh."

http://www.smokethis.com/news/05-11-02/05-11-02-5.jpg

I like my buffalo wings with ranch dressing. :D


Yaaaay that there is a BW3 opening up down the street from my apt in a few weeks.