What region has the best local cuisine? (foods, rated)

[Travel'r]

LOVE Texas, Southern, Chicago & NY.

But favorite has got to be the stuff you can only get in Philly. Boy do I miss the rolls, hoagies, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels ... when I leave! Lucky to find stale TastyKakes on the shelves in some other states, too.
Talk about being in withdrawal!

[holloway1010]

Louisiana is my home state so I guess I have to represent lol. I wanted to vote for whatever particular "genre" of food produced corn fritters, because I really love those. I had them only once at a restaurant in Amish Country in Penn. but I did not know where they originated.

[milquetoast]

I'm still waiting to try a lobster roll. Anyone know where I can get a nice, buttery lobster roll? Hungry in Vegas!

[ellie]

Originally Posted by anonymous

I agree that there are differences - New Orleans, particularly in the past 50 years or so, has created some unique and interesting dishes that aren't really traditional foods. We don't describe Cajun or Creole food as our regional food, because that is a word to describe two Louisiana ethnic groups. Some people call it "Lowcountry food", but I don't really call it anything. And no, the south at large doesn't claim these dishes, just the coastal parts of Georgia and South Carolina. As to whether they are also lowcountry dishes:

yes, or at least similar
Cracklins
Boiled Crawfish
Gumbo
Red Beans and Rice
Dirty Rice
Crawfish Etoufee
Boudin (Rice and Pork Sausage)
Jambalaya


I only mention all this, because I grew up in South Carolina, eating this type of food. The two sides of my family were from different parts of the state, so my dad cooked stuff like this, and my mom cooked more of your southern country cooking.

No offense, Anon, but I think part of your confusion stems from the fact that you are fairly young. Many of Louisiana's foods and styles of cooking may have migrated into your area by the time you were growing up. But because I know you are a savvy researcher who, in this case simply lacks experience in food history, you might want to do a bit of further reading and try to discover for yourself what the real differences are between Low Country cuisine and Cajun/Creole.

Several other posters hit many of the main differences. You just need to prove it to yourself.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by anonymous

I agree that there are differences - New Orleans, particularly in the past 50 years or so, has created some unique and interesting dishes that aren't really traditional foods. We don't describe Cajun or Creole food as our regional food, because that is a word to describe two Louisiana ethnic groups. Some people call it "Lowcountry food", but I don't really call it anything. And no, the south at large doesn't claim these dishes, just the coastal parts of Georgia and South Carolina. As to whether they are also lowcountry dishes:

yes, or at least similar
Cracklins
Boiled Crawfish
Gumbo
Red Beans and Rice
Dirty Rice
Crawfish Etoufee
Boudin (Rice and Pork Sausage)
Jambalaya


I only mention all this, because I grew up in South Carolina, eating this type of food. The two sides of my family were from different parts of the state, so my dad cooked stuff like this, and my mom cooked more of your southern country cooking.

No offense, Anon, but I think part of your confusion stems from the fact that you are fairly young. Many of Louisiana's foods and styles of cooking may have migrated into your area by the time you were growing up. But because I know you are a savvy researcher who, in this case simply lacks experience in food history, you might want to do a bit of further reading and try to discover what the real differences are between Low Country cuisine and Cajun/Creole.

Several other posters hit many of the main differences. You just need to prove it to yourself.

[Southlander]

I like 'em ALL!!!

[chitown68]

I vote for Cajun/creole. One of the reasons I fell in love with New Orleans was because of the food.Now my mouth is starting to water..lol.

[Ben Around]

This Yankee boy's a sucker for Southern food--grits, okra, black eyed peas, cajun, bobba-que, fried chicken, hush puppies, moon pies, Smithfield ham, you name it. Luziana, Carolina, Kintuck, Florida, Arkansas--it's all good! If it's made in the South, I'll eat it enthuiastically!

[bigreez]

Only in south east texas or luisiana would I buy shrimp on the side of the road and not worry about eating them.

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by milquetoast

I'm still waiting to try a lobster roll. Anyone know where I can get a nice, buttery lobster roll? Hungry in Vegas!

Catch a late night flight into Portland Maine. You'll have hundreds of places to choose from


I, of course, chose New England and New York.


Since my stomach is very sensitive I would starve to death in the south, especially in Cajun country. My DH would love it though.