Cinema Island (City Island)
The "City Island" entry in the Wikipedia states that so many films, television shows, and commercials have been shot at City Island that it's sometimes called "Cinema…
Archive for 08/2008
Hippie Church (“gospel brunch” in Austin)
The city of Austin has an unofficial slogan of "Keep Austin Weird," and the hippie influence has been a part of Austin ever since there were "hippies." Austin's version of…
Buckle (Blueberry Buckle; Peach Buckle)
A "buckle" dessert is similar to a coffee cake, made with fruit (most often blueberry, but also blackberry, raspberry, and peach) and with a topping that "buckles" when…
Mad Men (Madison Avenue admen)
The television show Mad Men premiered on July 19, 2007 and looks at the "ad men" of Madison Avenue in the 1960s (when the advertising professionals were mostly men). The term "mad…
Concrete City (Seguin nickname)
The city of Seguin had so many concrete buildings in the 1850s that it was called "Concrete City" (or "Mother of Concrete Cities" or "Concrete Town"). Dr. John E. Park…
Athens of Texas (nickname of many Texas cities)
Athens, Greece, in the classical period was widely known as a city of arts and learning. Boston, Massachusetts, was called the "Athens of America" in the early 1800s. Many cities…
“Lost in Austin”
"Lost in Austin" is a popularly used phrase with rhyming qualities. The Panama Red song "Lost in Austin" dates to 1976, a song called "Lost in Austin -- Again" is from…
Texas Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A "Texas grilled cheese sandwich" is (usually) a grilled cheese sandwich using Texas toast. The Ruby's Diner national restaurant chain sells a "Texas Grilled Cheese"…
Paris Texas Platter (migas + French toast)
The Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin (several locations, originally on Kerbey Lane) is a popular place to eat breakfast (available 24 hours). An inventively named favorite on the breakfast menu is the…
Chicken Fried Ribeye Steak
Chicken fried steak (CFS) is a legendary Texas dish. The cut of steak is usually chuck steak, cubed steak, or round steak. However, sometimes it is made with ribeye steak and is called…
Gospel Brunch
The "gospel brunch" was a regular feature at Lola's, a Cajun/Creole-style restaurant at 30 West 22nd Street in Chelsea from 1985-2004; in 2007, Lola's reopened at 15 Watts…
No Fun City (New York City; Vancouver)
New York City was called "Fun City" in 1966 by Mayor John Lindsay -- on one of his first days on the job. The nickname was used derisively and "the Big Apple" replaced "Fun…
New Times Square or New Old Times Square (Queens Plaza)
In the 1980s and 1990s, Times Square in Manhattan was cleaned of its seedy image and strip clubs. Many of the strips clubs re-opened at Queens Plaza. Times Square was being called "the new…
Dachshund Sausage
It is sometimes said (incorrectly) that before the food was called a "hot dog," it was called a "dachshund sausage." It's said (incorrectly) that the term "dachshund…
Brownie Butts
Brownie-pan edges can be crunchy treats. Mary Louise Butters of Butters' Brownies of Austin began selling brownie edges at the Austin Farmers' Market in 2004, calling them "Brownie…
Cradle of Texas Liberty (Alamo/San Antonio nickname)
The Battle of the Alamo (1836) is well-remembered today by anyone who visits the historic Alamo mission in the city of San Antonio. Although the Texans who fought there lost the battle to Mexican…
Cradle of Texas Independence (San Augustine nickname)
Both the city of San Augustine and San Augustine County have been called the "Cradle of Texas" (or the "Cradle of Texas Independence") since at least the 1960s. Sam Houston was…
Harlem’s Cathedral (St. Charles Borromeo Church)
St. Charles Borromeo Church in Harlem (213 West 141st Street) was completed in 1904. Its Gothic structure has caused many to call it "Harlem's cathedral" or "the cathedral of…
Placardization
Parking placards allow someone with the placard (handicapped, police, fire, education, et al.) to park in a particular space. In 2008, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attempted to cut down on…
Spasagna (Spaghetti + Lasagna)
Cheddar's is a chain of casual dining restaurants, founded in 1978 in Arlington, Texas. One frequently copied Cheddar's dish is called "spasagna" (spaghetti + lasagna), made of…