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…
Salad Bar
The "salad bar" was announced in April 1937 newspaper articles -- the "bar" being a glorified tea wagon on which salad ingredients were placed. The Boston Oyster House of the…
Salad Undressing
"Salad dressing" exists. There is no "salad undressing, but there are jokes. "What about salad undressing?" was posted on Twitter by Jeff Straw Branding on April 23, 2009.…
Salt Water Taffy
"Salt water taffy" supposedly originated by accident in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1883. Salt water taffy was served at other seaside places (such as Coney Island), but it remains an…
Sam ‘n’ Ella (salmonella)
Salmonella (bacteria) has nothing to do with salmon (a fish) or anyone named Ella, but there are jokes. "I heard that Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr. are buying out the Jewel Food Store…
Sam and Ella (salmonella)
Salmonella (bacteria) has nothing to do with salmon (a fish) or anyone named Ella, but there are jokes. "I heard that Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr. are buying out the Jewel Food Store…
Sam Ward (cocktail)
Entry in progress -- B.P. 21 May 1893, Cleveland (OH) Plain Dealer, pg. 17, col. 2:THE MANHATTAN.The Greatest of American Democratic Clubs.The Manhattan club at Fifth avenue and Thirty-fourth…
Sauce Proposal (Proposal Sauce)
American chef Marc Forgione opened Restaurant Marc Forgione at 134 Reade Street in Manhattan. "Halibut en Croute, Hazelnuts, Sauce Proposal" is a popular dish, and many diners have…
Sausage Sandwich
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe True Story of My Life: A SketchBy Hans Christian AndersenTranslated by Mary HowittLondon: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans1847Pp. 37-38:A few women, who…