Outer Boroughs
Manhattan is one borough of five, but the other four (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) are often called the "outer boroughs." The term "outer boroughs" was used…
Red Taco
Red tacos are a specialty at the Casa Manana in Wichita Falls (established 1947). Red tacos also can be found at Benny's Cafe in Del Rio and Border Burgers in Eagle Pass. One citation below…
Latkes or Latkas (potato pancakes)
Latkes (less frequently spelled "latkas") are simply potato pancakes. Latkes are traditionally served for the Jewish holidays of Hanukkah and also Purim, although they can be served at…
Firecracker Applesauce
"Firecracker Applesauce" is a dish that was created by celebrity chef David Burke for the Maloney & Porcelli restaurant in Manhattan in 1996. "Crackling Pork Shank with Fire…
Lobster Fra Diavolo (Shrimp Fra Diavolo)
"Lobster Fra Diavolo" (Italian meaning "Brother Devil") is served in Italian restaurants, mostly in America. The dish is believed to be American because Maine lobsters were…
Boula-Boula (Boula Soup; Boula Gratinee)
"Boula-Boula" is more than just a cheer at Yale University. "Boula" (also called "boula-boula" and "boula soup" and "boula gratinee") was a widely…
Chopped Liver
Chopped liver became a popular dish in the American Jewish cuisine in New York City by at least 1910. The liver is often made with chopped egg, salt, pepper and moistened with chicken fat; fried…
“Show us your shoes!” (San Antonio Battle of Flowers Parade cry)
"Show us your shoes!" is a cry made at San Antonio's Fiesta in late April, at the Battle of Flowers Parade. The dutchesses, queen, and princess on royalty floats often wear tennis…
“The days of wine and roses are over” (Gov. Hugh Carey)
"Days of wine and roses" was the title of a 1962 film starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, and directed by Blake Edwards. The line comes from an 1896 poem by English writer Ernest Dowson…
Submarine Sandwich (Sub Sandwich)
The "hero sandwich" is a regional sandwich name popular in New York City since the 1930s; "submarine sandwich" has been popular since the late 1930s and "sub"…
Cowboy Beans
"Cowboy beans" are usually the same as charro beans (frijoles charros; frijoles a la charra). Sometimes "cowboys beans" is another name for simply "pork and beans."…
Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros; Frijoles a la Charra; Cowboy Beans)
"Charro beans" (also known in Spanish as frijoles charros and frijoles a la charra) are sometimes translated as "cowboy beans." The dish comes from Guadalajara, Mexico and…
Infinity Apple (GreeNYC symbol, 2007)
In 2007, NYC & Co. (New York City's tourism bureau, formerly the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau that re-popularized "the Big Apple" in the 1970s) promoted…
Snickerdoodles
"Snickerdoodles" are drop cookies topped with cinnamon sugar that are cited in print from at least 1889. The cookie is simple, but the origin of the cookie's fanicful name is…
Tunnel of Fudge Cake
"Tunnel of Fudge Cake" was the second-prize winning recipe in the 17th annual Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1966. Houston resident Ella Rita Helfrich invented the cake; Pillsbury promotions of…
Oyster Nachos
"Oyster nachos" are nachos (tortilla chips) with fried oysters. The Dallas-based restaurant chain Fish City Grill claims to be "Home of the Oyster Nacho" and trademarked…
Texas Crud
"The crud" is military slang for a real or imaginary disease, first recorded in the publication American Speech in 1932. Many people in Texas often get "the crud" -- defined as…
Falafel or Felafel
"Falafel" (of "felafel") is a popular dish in Israel and in Middle Eastern restaurants and food stands throughout the world. Falafel is also popular in New York's Greenwich…
American Chop Suey
"American chop suey" usually contains ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce and is very different from "Chinese chop suey." The dish is often called "goulash" in…
Cow Patty Bingo (Cow Chip Bingo; Cowpie Bingo; Bovine Bingo: Bossy Bingo; Fertilizer Lottery)
"Cow patty bingo" (also called "cow chip bingo," "cowpie bingo," bovine bingo," "bossy bingo," "fertilizer lottery," "cow pat…