Ordering Food in different parts of the Country

BigTex · June 23rd, 2009, 10:03 AM

I travel quite a bit so I thought it would be interesting to see how orders differ from region to region.

I was in California once at a Mex restaurant and wanted to order Queso. To me that is basically Velveeta and Rotel mixed. They had no clue what it is.

In St Louis once and orderd a steak with a baked potato all the way. They had never heard the term " all the way " for a baked potato.

Difficult to get Grits for breakfast north of Texas. Once in a blue moon I have found it but it is rare.

Anymore ?

Islander · June 23rd, 2009, 11:47 AM

	Quote:	BigTex
	I travel quite a bit so I thought it would be interesting to see how orders differ from region to region. I was in California once at a Mex restaurant and wanted to order Queso. To me that is basically Velveeta and Rotel mixed. They had no clue what it is. In St Louis once and orderd a steak with a baked potato all the way. They had never heard the term " all the way " for a baked potato. Difficult to get Grits for breakfast north of Texas. Once in a blue moon I have found it but it is rare. Anymore ?

Ordered buttered squash is Mass. once upon a time and got buttered pumpkin-not what I had in mind.

derek4tide · June 23rd, 2009, 01:09 PM

Several years ago one winter, I was in Massachusetts and ordered iced tea. The waitress said, "what?" "Iced tea", I replied. "We have hot tea, but not iced tea", she retorted. "Can you bring me the hot tea and a glass of ice?", I asked. "Why do you want a glass of ice?", she asked somewhat puzzled. "I want to pour the hot tea in it and drink the iced tea", I said. "We can't do that," she huffed. I got up and left.

bamanut_aj · June 23rd, 2009, 01:33 PM

	Quote:	derek4tide
	Several years ago one winter, I was in Massachusetts and ordered iced tea. The waitress said, "what?" "Iced tea", I replied. "We have hot tea, but not iced tea", she retorted. "Can you bring me the hot tea and a glass of ice?", I asked. "Why do you want a glass of ice?", she asked somewhat puzzled. "I want to pour the hot tea in it and drink the iced tea", I said. "We can't do that," she huffed. I got up and left.

don't even get me started.......

Once, in Waterton National Park in Canada this restaurant had "pre-sweetened iced tea" on the menu. Woo Hoo! Finally! I took a sip, not expecting that the 'pre-sweetened' part was a strong huckleberry syrup. Ugh.

SavannahDare · June 23rd, 2009, 01:41 PM

I get quizzical looks when I order a cheeseburger "dressed" outside of the deep south. Sweet tea up north is a given blank stare.

bayoutider · June 23rd, 2009, 01:49 PM

Watch people stare at you in the deep south if you put sugar on your grits.

Watch people up north stare at you if you put salt and pepper on your grits.

In SW Louisiana order a hamburger and when they ask if you want everything on it tell them to hold the rice.

derek4tide · June 23rd, 2009, 01:56 PM

I learned on this board that some of our brethren up north didn't know that you're supposed to put slaw on your BBQ sandwich or cheeseburger.

	Quote:
	"..we'll git a slaw burger, fries and a bottle of Ski, bring it on down to my baby and me..." - from "Dumus Walker" - Kentucky Headhunters

ROLLTRIBE · June 23rd, 2009, 09:24 PM

	Quote:	derek4tide
	Several years ago one winter, I was in Massachusetts and ordered iced tea. The waitress said, "what?" "Iced tea", I replied. "We have hot tea, but not iced tea", she retorted. "Can you bring me the hot tea and a glass of ice?", I asked. "Why do you want a glass of ice?", she asked somewhat puzzled. "I want to pour the hot tea in it and drink the iced tea", I said. "We can't do that," she huffed. I got up and left.

Same thing happened to me up in Boston. Waitress looked at me like I was an alien......well, I was from the south, so to them, I guess I was.

Although, she brought me a glass of ice

Islander · June 23rd, 2009, 10:25 PM

	Quote:	derek4tide
	I learned on this board that some of our brethren up north didn't know that you're supposed to put slaw on your BBQ sandwich or cheeseburger.

Still don't eat slaw on either and have lived in the south all my life. Do like it on the side.

BigCountry · June 24th, 2009, 12:02 AM

	Quote:	Islander
	Still don't eat slaw on either and have lived in the south all my life. Do like it on the side.

This can be tricky. Ketchup slaw belongs on hotdogs and hamburgers. Freezer slaw (vinegar slaw) goes on bbq sammiches. Cole slaw goes on the side. Georgians love to put COLE slaw on bbq sammiches, and lots of tomato based sauce (like bottled bbq sauce), might as well be eating bologna instead of bbq if ur gonna cover up the flavor of the meat.

ETA: If you would like people to look at you like you have a leg growing out of your forehead, go to any BBQ joint in Florida and ask for White BBQ Sauce.

Honden · June 24th, 2009, 10:30 AM

	Quote:	BigCountry
	ETA: If you would like people to look at you like you have a leg growing out of your forehead, go to any BBQ joint in Florida and ask for White BBQ Sauce.

I thought that BBQ sauce was SUPPOSED to be white....Am I missing something?

bayoutider · June 24th, 2009, 11:01 AM

A few things I have learned in my travels around the country.

The Chesapeake Bay area (Tidewater Triangle) has the same dishes the Cajuns do with this difference. Everything in the Chesapeake area will be very mild and come in a white sauce. Everything from Cajun country will be spicy and come in a red sauce or brown gravy.

Chicago and New York have the best hot dogs period.

Just about everywhere I have been if you ask for a loaded baked potato they know what you are talking about. Ask for your burger all the way.

There is a difference between a Hogie, a Sub, A Grinder and a Gyro.

There is Southern Fried Chicken, Maryland Fried Chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken and just plain fried chicken. All are pretty good.

You get more free stuff in bars the farther north you go.

Folks north of the Mason Dixon line don't know what an okra is.

Order a hamburger in SW Louisiana. If they ask you if you want everything on it you better say hold the rice. You get rice with everything.

Roast Moose tastes as bad as it smells. Whew!

No matter where you go you can usually find a good steak or bad seafood.

Check out the local greasy spoons and mom and pop cafes they are usually pretty good and have reasonable prices.

Biscuits are bigger in Texas.

BAMAFAN IN NY · June 24th, 2009, 12:18 PM

If you want sweet tea anywhere in the United States.. just go to Mcdonalds.. They have really good sweet tea.

Burger King in Canada has poutine on the menu.. (fries with gravy and cheese curds)

You cant get 'good' cornbread anywhere in the state of NY.. except at my house.

Small Italian restaraunts all over the state of NY have the best food in the country.

Buffalo wings are better in Buffalo.

Barbeque is pretty much non- edible outside of the south.. but I have found a few good spots.

If you say you want a COKE anywhere but the south... you get a coke. In the south if you ask for a COKE... they will ask what kind.... and you will respond with DR. Pepper, or Mountain Dew, or maybe even a coca cola

You cant get good grits in ANY restaurant.. Grits arent meant to sit around and wait for people to order them.. they either solidify, or break down into a watery mess. Stick to homecooked grits.

Diners have the best soups...