Irish Turkey (corned beef and cabbage)
Americans traditional eat turkey on Thanksgiving. A traditional Irish-American dish is corned beef and cabbage, and it's often nicknamed "Irish turkey." "Irish turkey with the…
Italian Hot Dog
The "Italian hot dog" was invented at Jimmy Buff's restaurant at 14th Avenue and 9th Street, Newark, New Jersey, that was opened in 1932 by James "Buff" Racioppi. The dish…
Italian Hurricane (spaghetti with garlic sauce)
"Italian hurricane" is lunch room slang for spaghetti with garlic sauce. "Spaghetti and garlic: One Italian hurricane" was printed in the Middletown (NY) Times Herald on January…
Italian Ice
Italian ice (also known as "water ice") is similar to a snow cone or a piragua (Puerto Rico). Each summer, many street vendors and Italian restaurants offer the flavored ice treat.…
Italian Sandwich
Entry in progress -- B.P. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Cuban (medianoche), Dagwood, garibaldi, gondola, grinder, hero, hoagie, jawbreaker,…
Italian Sandwich (“big sandwich” from Angelo Basso)
Angelo Basso of Genoa came to New York City about 1868 and is credited for popularizing the Italian sandwich, which he sold for a nickel. This would later be called the "hero" sandwich,…
Jack (GAC=grilled American cheese); Jack Benny/Jack Back (grilled American cheese with bacon)
Diner lingo shortens a "grilled American cheese sandwich" to "GAC." The term "GAC" is pronounced and often written as "Jack." A "Jack" with bacon…
Jack Rose (cocktail)
The Jack Rose is a cocktail containing applejack, grenadine, and lemon or lime juice. Some people have guessed that the name comes from applejack ("Jack") and Rose's lime juice…
Jamwich (jam + sandwich)
"Jamwich" is a word formed from the two words "jam" and "sandwich." In 2006, Pierre Foods trademarked the name "PB Jamwich" for its peanut butter and jelly…
Japanese Horseradish (wasabi)
Horseradish is often compared to wasabi. Wasabi was called "Japanese horseradish" in 1903 by American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild (1869-1954). "An Expert Describes…
Jargarita (jar + margarita)
A "Jargarita" or "jargarita" (jar + margarita) is a margarita drink served in a jar, such as a Mason jar. The advantage this has is that the drink can be made to a larger size…
Jawbreaker (sandwich)
A "jawbreaker" is a large Italian sandwich that's so big and so stuffed that it could break one's jaw to eat all of it. "Sunday night supper is an especially popular time…
Jazz Brunch
A "jazz brunch" is a brunch (a breakfast/lunch meal usually served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) that includes jazz music. Commander's Palace made the jazz brunch a tradition in New…
JD (chocolate milk)
"J. D." was soda jerk slang for a chocolate milk. The "J. D." comes from American industrialist John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), who was said to have liked to drink chocolate…
Jelly Bean
The origin of the "jelly bean" (a small bean-shaped sugar candy) is unknown. "Jelly beans" was cited in the Dallas (TX) Morning News on November 21, 1885, and in the Fort Worth…
Jersey Breakfast or Triple Bypass (Taylor Pork Roll, Egg & Cheese)
John Taylor (1836-1909), of Trenton, New Jersey, formed the Taylor Provision Company in 1888, although it's often given that the famous 'Taylor ham" was first made in 1856. The name…
Jersey Italian Gravy
Pasta sauce is sometimes called "gravy." "Jersey Italian Gravy" is a commercial product that was trademarked with a date of first use of August 10, 2011. The founders of the…
Jersey Lightning
"Jersey lightning" is a slang name for strong applejack (originally a product of New Jersey). New Jersey has been known for its applejack since at least the 1700s. The term "Jersey…
Jersey Lightning (cocktail; punch)
"Jersey lightning" is applejack; a "Jersey Lightning Cocktail" is applejack brandy and vermouth. "Jersey lightning" has been cited in print since at least 1843 and the…
Jewish Champagne (Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda, seltzer)
"Jewish champagne" is the nickname for both Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray Soda/Tonic and for seltzer. "Description of celery tonic: Jewish champagne" was printed in the "On…