My fav topic - FOOD
 

OK, I know that we've had a topic sorta like this before but I still have a question. Is there any food in your area that you can't find anywhere else? Like, here in south Alabama (go ahead and laugh, I won't hear you http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif) we have grits and boiled peanuts. If you ever visit the south and are brave enough to try grits, you do not eat "a grit" you eat "grits." Ask for "a grit" and you'll get laughed at http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif! I think that boiled peanuts are only popular in the Wiregrass area of Alabama. I can't find them in Mobile at all. Also, I don't know about anywhere else, but the south has some of the best fried catfish - mmmmm! Anyway, I was just wondering. Thanks!

Allie http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif

You can find boiled peanuts in Florida. There are stands along the highways that sell them. I've seen billboards advertising them - "Exit now! Disney T-shirts! Florida Souvenirs! Oranges! Boiled Peanuts!" and so on ... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I can't stand them (too mushy), but my best friend - she's from Okechobee - loves them. Boiled peanuts are definitely a Southern thing - if you didn't grow up with them, chances are you'll never like them. Same with grits.

BTW, within Florida, the further north you go, the more "Southern" you get. The panhandle is basically South Alabama, while South Florida (i.e. Miami) is more like New York or Cuba, depending on where you go. I grew up in Orlando. We say "ya'll" and have a general appreciation for "southern hospitality", etc. but that's about it.

And I do know better than to say "a grit"! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I've heard people say that, it cracks me up.

Yeah...it's totally true that the Panhandle is more like Alabama than it is Florida...we call it "Lower Alabama" (I'm from there, so I feel free to do it). I think you can get boiled peanuts around there. Of course, I don't live there right now, so I can't tell you with any certainty.

Boiled peanuts are the bomb...

Yup--we like em over here too...the stores always stock up during football season, where tailgating is GOD here. I'd say that boiled peanuts consumption is at an all time high during that time...but I'll eat them whenever!

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*I'm an Alpha Gam...Yes I am, Yes I am!*

I've lived in 3 different places and will talk about each locations particular unique cuisines.

1) New York City: bagels, pizza, Jamaican food, Chinese food, Jewish cooking

2) Rhode Island: the best grinders and vegetarian dishes

3) Maryland: NOTHING! I HATE THIS STATE!!! OK, I'm calm! But, if I had to pick the best known: CRABS!!! MARYLAND HAS CRABS!! Alright, I'm fine ...

OK, I misread the topic. You said cannot FIND anywhere else. Well, none of the things I've listed are unique to the areas, but they are the best in those areas!! There are particular CHAINS that are only local. I would have to say that of all these states, Rhode Island has the best restaurant chains:
1) Gregg's
2) D'Angelo's Grinders
3) Chelo's
4)TJ Cinnamon's

IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND A TJ CINNAMON'S OUTSIDE OF RI/MASS, I WILL SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR YOU!!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

King Cake! It is impossible to find decent King Cake outside of the greater New Orleans area. I'm in Baton Rouge for school, and you can't get a *good* one up here.

For those of you that don't know, a King Cake is a Mardi Gras tradition. It's a cake that's ring-shaped and is kind of doughy. It has purple, green and gold colored sugar sprinkled on the top. Inside is a plastic baby. Its to signify the three kings finding the Baby Jesus in the manger. Tradition dictates that the person who finds the baby has to buy the next king cake.

TL's Cinnamon, I assume that they have cinimmon rolls? Have you ever has a Cinnubum? Yummy! And I've also heard that you can order "real New Orleans King Cakes" over the internet, but I could just be delusional. I knew about getting peanuts in Florida, but I figured that was just from all the Alabama folks going to the beach. Shows my worldly knowledge http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif. And I love bagles!

Allie http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif

Stromboli (hope I spelled it right) - everytime I go to the midwest I have to have one but with all the fantastic Italian restaurants in NY & CT - I've never seen it on the menu! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

You proabably can order king cakes from reputable bakeries on the internet, but it doesn't make too much sense for me to do that. I'm 90 minutes away from home in Baton Rouge - I swear, for such a short distance between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, its two completely different worlds. Its hard to believe both cities are in the same state...

Yes, TJ Cinnamon's is a cinnamon bun place. They are HUGE and have the BEST cream cheese frosting!! I have tried Cinnabun, but I don't care for them...

One thing that they (we?) have here in Virginia are pickeled watermellon rinds. They are made the same way as pickels, but instead of cucumbers, you use watermellons rinds. They're not that great. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif Another thing is fried pickels. I've never heard of fried pickeled water mellon rinds though. That would be gross!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

"It's a Pittsburgh thing."

Primanti Brothers has the best sandwiches in the world. 2 slices Italian bread, meat, cheese, fries and coleslaw on the sandwich. MMMMMMMM.
http://www.primantibros.com

Even after living in Florida my entire life, there are certain Rhode Island foods that I miss sooo much when I come home from school, I miss D'Angelos so much! I've never heard of TJ Cinnamon...where is it? I go to school in Providence. I don't know if you're familiar with it, sigmagrrrl...but Spike's?

When I went to Disneyland a week and a half ago, I had this immense craving for strawberry funnel cake....BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT! I thought all amusement parks have it! I've had it at Knotts, Great America, and Magic Mountain...but Disneyland didn't have it! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif So, I had to settle for a churro...the BF wasn't going to drive me around and pay $$$ just to get funnel cake.

Are there any non-amusement park places where I could possibly get them? I know it'll be hard for me since I'm in Hawaii, but next time I'm on the continent I'll know where to look.

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*I'm an Alpha Gam...Yes I am, Yes I am!*