References we don’t lean into? (Boston, Lynn: neighborhood, college, restaurants)

[Boston Shudra]

For a while, I knew that there was a dessert called a “Boston Cream Pie” that wasn’t actually available at most restaurants. You’d only see it maybe as a donut incarnation.

In college, I learned that there was a Canadian pizza chain called “Boston Pizza”. And while Boston does have some great pizza, it doesn’t seem like we market it very much especially compared to NYC.

I just recently learned that there is a drink called a “Boston Cooler”. Never knew about it growing up in Boston, but it’s great.

Is there any other city with its name in a dish that can’t actually be found within the city?

[massnative71]

You've never seen a Boston cream pie before???

[msRB311]

Two weird ones associated with Boston for me are Boston Bibb (lettuce) and Boston butt (pork)

Not really sure why either of those are named after Boston. The Bibb lettuce was grown in Kentucky in the late 1800's:

'Bibb lettuce is named for its original cultivator, John Bibb. In 1865 he grew his special Bibb lettuce in Kentucky's alkaline soil and began giving the lettuce to his neighbors in town in 1870'

[msRB311]

I'm also surprised he's never seen or had Boston creme pie. Delicious.

[bostongymjunkie]

I've seen plenty of Boston cream pies, but rarely "Boston baked beans" at least during my lifetime. I'm aware of the history and what not, just never saw baked beans as any kind of notable dish around here. I bristle when people refer to the city as "Beantown." I think parts of Northern MA, NH, and ME are more widely known for baked beans, especially those connected to the French Canadian population. The famous "Beanpot" tournament notwithstanding, Boston's connection with baked beans kind of evaporated during the 20th century in my opinion.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

In college, I learned that there was a Canadian pizza chain called “Boston Pizza”. And while Boston does have some great pizza, it doesn’t seem like we market it very much especially compared to NYC.

Not pizza and not Boston proper, but North Shore Roast Beef is having a moment. Not only is it a huge thing here in MA (check out NorthShoreBeefs on Instagram - they held a pretty big festival in Lynn earlier this fall), it's expanding pretty rapidly outside of the region. Kelly's is looking to go national, it's been covered in national media outlets, and I even ate at a "Boston Beef By The Sea" in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea last spring. Yet I still know a lot of people around here who will look at you like you've got three heads if you say you're going to have a "super beef three-way" tonight (understandable if they're not familiar with beef lingo).

South Shore Bar Pizza is also expanding well beyond the south shore. Bardo's at Castle Island Brewing in Southie and Hot Box in Somerville are introducing the staple to new audiences. It's also getting some national attention. Maybe it can catch lightning in a bottle the same way Detroit Style Pizza seems to have done recently.

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by massnative71

You've never seen a Boston cream pie before???

A few times! Always on menus at fancy restaurants; it isn’t common!

[BOORGONG]

Boston steak is another one for Boston. It’s one of the more popular cuts, traditionally.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

A few times! Always on menus at fancy restaurants; it isn’t common!

Don't know about restaurants (I rarely pay attention to the desert menu?), but I think most any bakery or grocery store bake shop would have them. Definitely not rare!

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

I've seen plenty of Boston cream pies, but rarely "Boston baked beans" at least during my lifetime. I'm aware of the history and what not, just never saw baked beans as any kind of notable dish around here. I bristle when people refer to the city as "Beantown." I think parts of Northern MA, NH, and ME are more widely known for baked beans, especially those connected to the French Canadian population. The famous "Beanpot" tournament notwithstanding, Boston's connection with baked beans kind of evaporated during the 20th century in my opinion.

Maybe you are too young, but in the 1950s, in MA, in my neighborhood, everyone’s mother made baked beans with brown sugar, molasses and salt pork, from scratch on Saturdays. Franks and beans for supper, and then leftover beans with bacon and eggs for breakfast.