Romainetic (romaine lettuce + romantic)
"Romainetic" (romaine lettuce + romantic) is a portmanteau word that is somewhat popular on Valentine's Day (February 14). "The gigolo, now in his salad days, was still…
Roof-to-Table (Rooftop-to-Table)
"Roof-to table" (sometimes written without hyphens as "roof to table" and less-frequently written as "rooftop-to-table") indicates that the food comes from a rooftop…
Root Beer
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Root beerRoot beer, also known as sarsaparilla, is a carbonated beverage (or possibly a type of beer) originally created from sassafras. Root beer, popularized…
Root Beer Float or Ice Cream Float
It has been said that the "root beer float" or "ice cream float" (ice cream plus root beer or cola or other soda) was invented in New York City. This cannot be verified, but…
Rotatoes (rotate + potatoes; jocular name for curly fries)
Many people believe that "curly fries" should be called "rotatoes" (rotate + potatoes). "Curly fries should be called 'rotatoes'" was posted on Twitter by…
RPG Sandwich (roast pork on garlic bread)
The Chinese roast pork sandwich on garlic bread (sometimes called "RPG" for short) was invented at Herbie's Restaurant in Loch Sheldrake, New York, in the 1950s. The sandwich was…
Rubber Chicken
The 1940s term "rubber chicken circuit" described the poor food at banquets, but when an actual rubber chicken was made and sold by novelty stores is not exactly known. Loftus…
Rubber Chicken Circuit
The "rubber chicken circuit" is the lecture circuit, where banquets are held that serve frequently unappetizing food. "The rubber chicken at hotel banquets" was cited in print…
Rubies of the Pines (New Jersey cranberries)
New Jersey's Pine Barrens helps make New Jersey the third largest cranberry producing state. Its cranberries have been dubbed "The Rubies of the Pines" since at least 1991. Union…
Rugelach
I found one of the first citations (1941) for "rugelach." This is a difficult food to trace because the names and spelling vary widely.…
Rum Raisin
"Rum Raisin" is a flavor most often used in ice cream; the raisins are soaked in rum. It's not known who invented "rum raisin," but it was listed in several ice cream shops…
Rum Rita or Rumrita (cocktail)
A "Rum Rita" (or "Rumrita") is a "Margarita" cocktail, with rum included instead of tequila. In 2000, there was a tequila shortage and restaurants were facing…
Runway Food
"Down With Runway Food" by Drew Magary was published on Deadspin -- The Concourse on May 2, 2014. Magary referred to food at restaurants so expensive that only the very rich and a few…
Rushing/Working the Growler
The "growler" was a pail that men would send down to the local bar for more beer. In the 1880s. this was called "rushing the growler" or "working the growler." A…
Russian Dressing
Russian Dressing is served in a
S’more (Some-more)
"S'more" (or "some-more") is a popular Girl Scout dish of toasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiches between two graham crackers. "Kabobs and Some-more, two…
Sabich
Sabich came to New York City from Israel, where it is popularly served in falafel restaurants. Sabich contains such ingredients as eggplants, fried eggs, hummus, tahini, and amba sauce (an Iraqi…
Sailgating (sail + tailgating)
"Sailgating" (sail + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. Sailgating can involve any boat -- not just sailboats. The tradition…
Sailor Sandwich
The "sailor sandwich" began in 1943 at the New York Deli in Richmond, Virginia, where it was served to the many sailors who were customers during World War II. According to the New York…
Salad Astoria
Waldorf Salad is a famous salad of the old Waldorf-Astoria hotel (1893-1929) at Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street. Swiss-American restaurateur Oscar Tschirky (1866-1950) -- called "Oscar of the…