Club Sandwich (Club House Sandwich; Clubhouse Sandwich)
The "club sandwich" probably originated at the Union Club of the City of New York in the 1880s. The World (New York, NY) printed on November 18, 1889: "Have you tries a Union Club…
COB Pizza (cheese-on-bottom)
"Red Front Pizza (Home of the COB)" is how the Red Front restaurant in Troy, New York (another restaurant is in Clifton Park, NY) bills itself on its website. "COB" stands for…
Cocktail
The origin of the word "cocktail" (alcoholic mixed drink) remains a mystery. One early theory supposed that it was served by Elizabeth Flanagan in Westchester County, around the time of…
Cocktail Franks (Cocktail Weiners; Cocktail Wieners; Cocktail Weenies)
"Cocktail franks" are small-sized frankfurters often served with a toothpick as hors d'oeuvres during a cocktail hour. Prohibition ended in the United States on December 5, 1933;…
Cocktail Hour
A "cocktail hour" is an "hour" when "cocktails" are served, but many other things besides cocktails can be served (soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres, for example)…
Cocktail Party
A "cocktail party" is simply a "party" where "cocktails" ( as well as other refreshments) are served. The Missouri newspapers in March 1917 credited a Mrs. Walsh of…
Cocktail Umbrella
A small paper umbrella is placed in the cocktail glasses at many tiki bars. The "cocktail umbrella" is sometimes credited to the Polynesian-themed restaurants of Trader Vic's or Don…
Cocktailian
Entry in progress -- B.P. Word Spycocktailian (kawk.TAYL.ee.un) n. A person who is an expert at making cocktails; a master bartender. —adj. Example Citation:"Professor" Jerry Thomas,…
Coco Bread
Coco bread is a Jamaican dish that has been popular in New York City restaurants since the 1970s. The Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery (founded in the Bronx in 1989, franchised since 1996) serves a…
Cocoanista (cocoa + fashionista)
"Cocoanista" (cocoa/chocolatier + fashionista) was coined in 2011 by Jacqueline Jacek, owner of JACEK Chocolate Couture in Sherwood Park (outside Edmonton). The term is a more descriptive…
Coffee Break
The "coffee break" became an American institution during World War II, when older and inexperienced workers were pushed into the workforce and needed breaks for refreshment. The…
Coffee in the Dark (coffee without milk)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Broolyn Newsstand3 July 1887, Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle, "Restaurant Calls," pg. 13, col. 1:"Coffee in the dark" and "slops in the cup with the…
Coffee Regular
Today, a coffee in New York City is Starbucks. However, some insist that "true" New Yorkers have a "coffee regular" that includes milk and sugar. The Mother Tongue: English…
Coffee Summit
Winston Churchill spoke in February 1950 about a “parley at the summit.” A “summit meeting” would come to mean a high-level meeting, such as one involving the president or prime minsters of…
Coincidence Lasagna/Lasagne (layers of coincidence)
"Coincidence lasagna/lasagne" is not a food, but a term to describe "layers of coincidence" -- like the layers of lasagna. "Coincidence lasagna: layers of coincidence. We…
Cold Cheese Pizza (also called “Oneonta slice”)
"Cold cheese pizza" used to be pizza that's no longer warm, but it's also the name of a special variation of pizza. Tino's Pizza and Restaurant in Oneonta, New York, served…
Cole’s Law: Thinly sliced cabbage (coleslaw joke)
Arthur Bloch's 1977 bestseller, Murphy's law and other reasons why things go wrong, included a food joke: "Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage." The coleslaw joke is still…
Colorado Rib Steak
Smith & Wollensky, a chain of American steakhouses, began in 1977 at East 49th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. "Colorado Rib Steak" (32 ounces) has been one of the…
Competitive Eating Contests
Eating contests have been held in New York City since at least the 19th century. A pie-eating match was held in Brooklyn in in August 1886. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is held at Coney…
Compost Cookie
Momofuku Milk Bar (various locations) trademarked the name "compost cookie" from November 15, 2008. The popular cookie contains potato chips, pretzels, butterscotch and chocolate chips,…