Chilorio (Mexican chile-seasoned pork dish)
Chilorio is a pork dish (often used as a filling for tacos or burritos) from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The pork is fried in chile sauce until tender and usually flavored with onions, cumin,…
Chiltepin (State Native Pepper)
The chiltepin is the official state native pepper. The Texas legislature named the jalapeño official state pepper in 1995, so the chiltepin was distinguished as the official state…
Chilympiad
The Chilympiad had been held in San Marcos since 1970. The chili cookoff event lost money in 2001 and 2002 and was cancelled in 2003. Handbook of TexasCHILYMPIAD. The annual Chilympiad celebration,…
Chimichanga
The "chimichanga" is said to have originated in Tucson, Arizona (at the El Charro Cafe?), but it's considered a part of "Tex-Mex" cuisine. Wikipedia:…
Chipotle
Chipotle chili peppers are dried and smoked jalapeño peppers. The Mexican import plays a big part in the Southwestern cusine. Gourmet Sleuth Chipotles chilies [chee-POT-tleh] peppers are smoked…
Chitlin’ Circuit
The "chitlin' circuit" (also spelled "chitlins circuit" and "chittlins circuit" and "chitterling(s) circuit") is the name that was given to…
Chocolate Chip Muffin (State Muffin?)
The chocolate chip muffin is (perhaps) the official state muffin of Texas according to the Wikipedia, but the Texas state legislature passed no such law. Chocolate chip muffins became nationally…
Chocolate Whiskey Cake
The Wunsche Brothers Cafe in Spring, Texas (since 1902) makes a famous chocolate whiskey cake. It may or may not be the first chocolate whiskey cake, but there are claims that it's the best.…
Chokelahoma (Oklahoma nickname)
"Chokelahoma" (choke + Oklahoma) is an unflattering nickname for the state of Oklahoma, more usually for just Oklahoma University. The nickname is used most often at the Texas-Oklahoma…
Chopped & Screwed or Screwed & Chopped (Houston-based hip-hop)
"Chopped and screwed" (or "screwed and chopped" or any of several other names) is a type of hip-hop music that became popular in Houston, mainly from the late DJ Screw…
Chopped Brisket (sandwich)
Chopped brisket sandwiches are another alternative to sliced brisket sandwiches. The brisket is usually made from the "point" -- a fattier slice. The brisket is chopped and is usually…
Chow
"Chow" is a Chinese term and probably came into use in America in California in the 1850s. To the cowboy, "chow" meant something to eat. Google BooksDictionary of the American…
Chow Chow
Chow chow is a Southern dish of vegetables such as cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc. The name comes from pidgen English, and it is believed that "chow chow" was popularized by…
Christmas Capital of Texas (Grapevine nickname)
The city of Grapevine (a suburb of Fort Worth) holds many Christmas events. The nickname "Christmas Capital of Texas" was trademarked by the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau…
Chubbing
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksHatchet Jobs and Hardball: The Oxford dictionary of American political slangBy Grant BarrettPublished by Oxford University Press US2004Pg. 80:chubbing n.…
Chuck Box
The chuck wagon was declared by the Texas legislature to the the official state vehicle of Texas. Attached to the back of the chuck wagon was usually the "chuck box," a cook's pantry…
Chuck Eater
A "chuck eater" is another cowboy term for a "greenhorn" or "pilgrim" or "tenderfoot." To the old hands, a "chuck eater" can't do the work and…
Chuck Line (Chuckline)
In the old west, a "chuck line" (or "chuckline") formed at the chuck wagon (the official Texas state vehicle) so cowboys could get their fill of grub. Some people were said to…
Chuck Wagon
The "chuck wagon" has been recognized as an official state vehicle of Texas. It is often claimed that the "chuck wagon" was invented by Charles Goodnight during his cattle drive…
Chupacabra or Chupacabras (goat-sucker)
The "chupacabra" (goat-sucker) was first spotted in Puerto Rico, in the 1970s. Sightings have also been made in Florida and Mexico; from the 1990s, chupacabra sightings have occurred in…