Meatery (meat eatery)
A "meatery" is a simple blend of the words "meat" and "eatery." The term "meatery" has been used since at least 1994 as another term for…
Menuspeak
"Menuspeak" (or "menu-speak") is the language that is used on menus. Foreign terms are often used and the language is often excessively descriptive, making plain dishes more…
Mickey D’s (McDonald’s nickname)
"Mickey D's" is a popular nickname for McDonald's fast food restaurants. The nickname was trademarked by McDonald's in 1981. The nickname "Mickey D's" has…
Micro-bakery
A "micro-bakery" (or "microbakery") is a small bakery that usually specializes in a small variety of products. Often the "micro-bakery" is the oven of someone's…
Microbrewery
A "microbrewery" (or "micro brewery") is a brewery with a limited production of beer. The definition of a microbrewery varies by state law. In New York State:…
Museum of Fine Foods (Dean & DeLuca nickname)
Dean & DeLuca, an upscale grocery store, opened in New York City's SoHo district in September 1977 by Joel Dean, Giorgio DeLuca and Jack Ceglic. "Museum of Fine Food" is a Dean…
Nanobrewery
A "nanobrewery" (or "nano brewery") is smaller than a "microbrewery." A nanobrewery can brew, at most, four barrels of beer at a time. The term "nano…
Nitery
Entry in progress -- B.P. Historical Dictionary of American Slangnitery n. Journ. a nightclub. Now colloq. or S.E.1934 Weseen Dict. Amer. Slang 147: Nitery -- A night club.1936 Esquire (Sept.) 159:…
Nonstaurant (non-traditional restaurant)
The word "nonstaurant" was popularized in San Francisco in 2009. Lessley Anderson's article on the blog CHOW on May 12, 2009, "A New San Francisco Nonstaurant at Bruno’s"…
Nurse-in (protest for breastfeeding in restaurants)
Many mothers take children to restaurants and desire to breastfeed their newborns. Some restaurants have objecting to breastfeeding. A "nurse-in" (nurse + sit-in) is a public protest by…
NYPD (New York Pizza Dept./Deli/Depot/Diner/Delivery)
"NYPD" means "New York Police Department," but the letters were trademarked very late (after Sept. 11, 2001, when "NYPD" merchandise became big sellers). New York City…
Olive Gardener (Olive Garden customer or employee)
Olive Garden is an Italian-themed casual dining restaurant chain. The term "Olive Gardener" has applied both to the Oliver Garden's employees and its customers. "Olive…
Olive Oil Sommelier (Oleologist)
A sommelier normally advises restaurant patrons in their choices of wine, but the term "sommelier" has been applied to other things besides wine. "(Olive) oil sommelier" was…
One-Food Wonder
A "one-hit wonder" is a recording artist who has only one hit song. A "one-trick pony" is someone who can do only one thing well. New York City saw a growth of one-food…
Order Sniping (prank)
"Order sniping" is a prank popularized by Dominic Harris in his YouTube video, "Drive Thru Order Sniping Prank," published on December 19, 2013. The video appeared on the…
Oscars of Street Food (Vendy Awards nickname)
The Vendy Awards originated in 2005 in New York City to honor its street food vendors. The "Vendys" (as spelled on the official website, but "Vendies" has also been used) soon…
Outhouse Steakback (Outback Steakhouse nickname)
Outback Steakhouse is a restaurant chain that began in Tampa, Florida, in 1988. The nickname "Outhouse Steakback" is a ""spoonerism" (or transposition) of the compunds…
Oyster Bar
The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant (at Grand Central Terminal at 42nd Street) opened in 1913 and is one of the world's most famous oyster bars. Before this establishment, the Grand…
Paddy’s Market (formerly of Ninth Avenue)
"Paddy's Market," from 35th to 42nd Streets on Ninth Avenue, began in the 1880s and died with the Lincoln Tunnel construction of 1937. It used to be full of pushcarts on a Saturday…
Pastrogi (pastrami + pierogi)
"Pastrogi" is a food portmanteau of "pastrami" and "pierogi." In May 2024, the New York City restaurants Katz's Delicatessen (famed for its pastrami) and Veselka…