Discovering the diverse flavors of America can be an exciting journey. Every region, state, and city boasts its own unique comfort foods that tantalize the taste buds. From drool-worthy classics to acquired tastes, these dishes are a culinary adventure waiting to be explored. If you hail from the Midwest, you may already be familiar with some of these regional delights.
**1. Cheese Curds**
Location: Wisconsin
Wisconsin, renowned for its dairy products, offers a delightful twist on cheese with its fried cheese curds. These crispy, gooey treats are a popular snack in the upper Midwest and can be found at many local eateries and bars. For those outside the region, Culver’s is a great spot to sample this cheesy delight.
**2. Juicy Lucy**
Location: Minnesota
The Juicy Lucy, a burger patty stuffed with molten cheese, is a Minnesota favorite. Originating from South Minneapolis, this iconic burger is beloved for its oozy, cheesy center that adds a burst of flavor to every bite.
**3. Puppy Chow**
Location: Midwest
A nostalgic treat for many Midwesterners, Puppy Chow is a sweet and crunchy mix of Chex, peanut butter, and chocolate. This powdered sugar-covered snack is a staple at parties, school events, and sports gatherings, offering a delightful blend of flavors.
**4. Chislic**
Location: South Dakota
Chislic, a simple dish of cubed and seasoned meat, is a beloved specialty in South Dakota, particularly around Sioux Falls. This flavorful treat, often served with dipping sauces, has been a local favorite for decades.
**5. Runza**
Location: Nebraska
Originating from Nebraska, Runza is a pocket of yeasted bread filled with a savory mix of ground beef, cabbage, and onions. This unique dish, sometimes referred to as a bierock, offers a taste of Eastern European flavors in a convenient handheld form.
**6. Loose Meat Sandwich**
Location: Iowa
Iowa’s Loose Meat Sandwich offers a deconstructed take on the traditional burger. Featuring loose ground beef piled onto a bun with classic toppings, this dish is a favorite at Maid-Rite, a renowned Iowa chain.
**7. St. Paul Sandwich**
Location: St. Louis
Despite its name, the St. Paul sandwich has its roots in St. Louis and combines Chinese and American flavors. This fusion creation features an egg foo young patty sandwiched between bread with fresh vegetables and condiments.
**8. Horseshoe**
Location: Central Illinois
The Horseshoe sandwich traces its origins back to the Leland Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, in the 1920s. This unique dish, consisting of an open-faced sandwich topped with meat, fries, and cheese sauce, offers a hearty and satisfying meal option.
Slices of bread are hidden under layers of meat, french fries, and cheese sauce. While hamburger patties are the traditional meat option, there are various variations available, such as buffalo chicken or tater tots. In certain northern regions like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula, there is a stew known as booyah that is perfect for gatherings. This Belgian-inspired dish features chicken, vegetables, and tomatoes in a hearty stew format. Gooey Butter Cake, originating in the 1930s, was a delightful mistake made by a baker resulting in a dense, pudding-like treat with a cake-like crust and a creamy filling. Provel, a processed cheese blend of provolone, cheddar, and Swiss, is a staple in St. Louis cuisine, commonly used in St. Louis-style pizza and the Gerber Sandwich. Cannibal Sandwiches, popular during Wisconsin holidays, consist of raw ground beef on rye bread topped with onions, resembling a poor man’s steak tartare. Buckeyes, a candy from Ohio, are peanut butter-filled chocolate treats inspired by the buckeye tree’s seeds. Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie is an Indiana dessert made with a simple cream filling flavored with vanilla and spices, thickened with flour or cornstarch. The Jibarito, a Puerto Rican-style sandwich invented in Chicago in the 1990s, uses fried plantains instead of bread for a unique and decadent twist.
1. Ant, steak or shredded beef, garlic mayo, and fresh veggies are common ingredients.
2. Chili and Cinnamon Rolls
Found in Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, this combination is a favorite thanks to school lunch menus dating back to the 1960s. Kids loved it so much that it became a staple.
3. Hotdish
Popular in the Upper Midwest, especially Minnesota, hotdish refers to various baked casseroles. Tater tot hotdish, with ground beef, frozen vegetables, creamy sauce, cheese, and tater tots, is a classic.
4. Kringle
From Wisconsin, kringle is a flaky pastry with Scandinavian roots. Fillings like almond, raspberry, or cherry are encased in layers of dough, making it a common treat at gatherings.
5. Chicken Vesuvio
A popular dish in Chicago, Chicken Vesuvio features roasted bone-in chicken with potato wedges, peas, lemon, garlic, and herbs. It can also be prepared with steak or other meats in Vesuvio-style.
6. Goetta
A breakfast meat popular in Cincinnati, Goetta is made from ground, seasoned meat mixed with oats and fried until brown and crispy.
7. Persimmon Pudding
A dish from Indiana made with American persimmons, similar to Asian varieties, often served at Thanksgiving.
8. Blue Moon
An enigmatic ice cream flavor from Michigan and Wisconsin, likened to Froot Loops or a blend of almond and lemon flavors.
9. Bosco Sticks
Originating from a pizzeria in Detroit, Bosco Sticks are stuffed crust pizzas that became popular with local school kids.
Upon taking a bite of a slice, the concept for the Bosco Stick was conceived. These cheese-filled garlic breadsticks are now available nationwide, yet their presence remains most prominent in the Midwest, particularly in Michigan. Originally featured on Cheapism, this article explores the enduring popularity of Bosco Sticks and their regional significance. From food court comparisons between Costco and Sam’s Club Cafe to the convenience of lobster ravioli from Costco for an at-home date night, Cheapism offers a comprehensive look at various food products and trends. Delving further, the article presents a detailed taste test of 16 potato chip brands, revealing the best and worst options for consumers. Additionally, it highlights the most popular takeout dish in each state, showcasing diverse culinary preferences across the nation. Furthermore, the article reminisces about 17 discontinued canned foods and drinks that are still fondly remembered by fans, illustrating the nostalgia associated with food products of the past.
