Chicken Peppers
Chicken peppers is a specialty of Bayer’s Kolonialwaren und Backeri, a German bakery in Muenster. The recipe is not listed on any website. Several local restaurants -- Shooters Sports Bar &…
Pasture Pickles (jalapeño & cheese stuffed steak fingers)
"Pasture Pickles" is a term used at Cagle Steaks in Lubbock for jalapeño and cheese stuffed steak fingers. There are no pickles in "pasture pickles." The name seems to be…
Giant Side of Texas (Lubbock slogan)
"The Giant Side of Texas" has been the slogan of the city of Lubbock since 2004. The word "giant" has nothing to do with the film Giant (1956), that starred James Dean and…
“I’ll sign anything except bad legislation” (Kinky Friedman)
When author/musician Kinky Friedman ran for governor of Texas in 2005-2006, many people asked for his autograph. "I'll sign anything except bad legislation" was an often-used…
North of Ordinary (Denton slogan)
"North of Ordinary" is the slogan of the city of Denton. Denton is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area; perhaps Dallas is "ordinary"? Wikipedia: Denton, TexasDenton is…
Washeteria (Washateria; Washiteria)
The "washeteria" (wash + cafeteria) is often spelled ""washateria" or even "washiteria" (with the dirty word in the middle). The washeteria is popular in the…
“Bevo. It’s what’s for dinner.” (anti-UT Longhorn slogan)
The University of Texas Longhorns have a mascot named "Bevo." In 1992, the Cattleman's Beef Board ran a series of promotions with the slogan: "Beef. It's what's for…
Real. East Texas. Living. (Longview slogan)
"Real. East Texas. Living." was voted (in 2007) the official slogan of the city of Longview in East Texas. A marketing company had chosen the slogan "pure and simple," but it…
Green Chili Burrito “Saddle Style”
The green chili burrito "saddle style" is a specialty of Yuma, Arizona's Mexican restaurants. The "saddle style" is similar to what's called a "wet burrito"…
Fried Green Tomatoes (Green Tomatoes Fried)
The dish of "fried green tomatoes" (also called "green tomatoes fried" in the 19th century) is known through the South. The dish was popularized by Fannie Flagg's 1991…
“Tougher than a two-dollar steak”
The columnist Molly Ivins described Ann Richards as "tougher than a two-dollar steak." The steak phrase is an old one and not confined to Texas. The price of the steak has varied through…
Texas Hibachi
"Hibachi" is a Japanese word that literally means "fire bowl." The "Texas hibachi" is a large-sized hibachi grill, usually a 55-gallon drum set on its side and with a…
“Native foreign food” (Waverly Root on “Tex-Mex”)
Tex-Mex cuisine is often said to be mostly Texas, with very little authentic Mexican foodways. The food author Waverly Root wrote in his book Eating in America (1976) an often-quoted statement…
“It always rains at the end of a long dry spell” (weather joke)
Some parts of Texas don't get much rain. "It always rains at the end of a long dry spell" is a Texas weather joke from at least 1909. 5 March 1909, Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram,…
Fry Sauce (French Fry Sauce; French Fries Sauce)
Fry sauce (sauce for french fries) is a popular state dish or Utah, but is now served in Oregon and other Western states. A simple recipe is one part ketchup and two parts mayonnaise. The Arctic…
Fried Pickles (Fried Dill Pickles; French Fried Pickle Slices)
Fried pickles are served throughout the South (and, now, in many northern cities as well). The exact origin of "fried pickles," however, is unknown. It is claimed in the Wikipedia (below)…
Loose-Meat Sandwich
The "loose-meat sandwich" is usually identified with the Maid-Rite restaurant chain (since 1926) in Iowa. However, a "loose meat sandwich" was advertised for sale in a…
Frickles (fried pickles)
Fried pickles have long been popular in Texas and many parts of the South, but are now served all across the United States. "Frickles" is a new name often used for "fried…
Okratini (Okra + Martini)
Okra is a popular Southern food, but is it popular enough to be served with cocktails? The seldom-served "Okratini" (okra + martini) is simply the usual martini cocktail (gin and…
“72 hours later, you’re hungry again” (joke about eating deli food)
The old line about Chinese food is that it isn't filling: "A few hours later, you're hungry again." New York's Jewish delis are known for their overstuffed sandwiches,…