Foods that aren't nearly as good outside your metro area. (to live, costs)

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

Is a fish taco better than it sounds? Because it sounds kind of gross, but I can't jump to conclusions until I try it.

Yeah I guess it doesn't sound like the tasiest thing if you haven't tried it and are not used to it being around. A Fish Burrito still sounds weird to me and I don't like them really, haha; they're not that common though. But YES, fish tacos are great imo. I usually prefer them over other tacos like carne asada, carnitas, etc..

[MidwestCruiser]

I would have to say Ghetta...I don't even think you can get it outside of Cincinnati! Man that stuff is Goooooooood!

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by MidwestCruiser

I would have to say Ghetta...I don't even think you can get it outside of Cincinnati! Man that stuff is Goooooooood!

I think it's actually "Goetta", and I think it's a distinct cousin of scrapple, which is the Philadelphia/Delaware equivalent, in Amish country. I think the difference is that Goetta is made from oats while Scrapple is made of cornmeal.

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Using that logic, wouldn't Italian food be great everywhere that has Italians or people of Italian descent?

Yet, according to some, only New York has great Italian food?

Riiiiiight.

lol probably because you haven't been there...

Are you serious?

Each coastal part of the country has its own unique types of seafood. You can't catch Maine lobster off the coast of Alaska, but you can catch king crab. It's much different than Italians living in different areas of the country. There was traditionally huge Italian populations in the Northeast United States. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston (and perhaps Chicago too) have very strong Italian traditions. As a result there are fantastic Italian eateries in these cities.

That's not to say you can't find good Italian food in other parts of the country...but it certainly isn't as prevelant and it usually doesn't taste as good.

[nyc2va76]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

One more thing I forget--hot pastrami sandwiches.

All of a sudden, I have a craving for a pastrami and swiss. Katz Deli on Houston street was my spot for good pastrami.

[nyc2va76]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

Luckily they're all over the place now. I love Omaha steaks--there's a store close by to me, and I just got like $150 worth of meat from there

And I agree about Philly cheesesteaks. There are a couple good places in Manhattan, but it can't compare to Pat's. They're good to hold me over until my next trip to Philly, lol.

As for cheesesteaks, You might want to try Jim's on South Street.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by tmac9wr

Cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston (and perhaps Chicago too) have very strong Italian traditions.

As do cities like Pittsburgh, and Cleveland, and Chicago, and Youngstown, and Steubenville, and Cincinnati, and Buffalo, and New Orleans, and Newport, Ky., and every steel and/or mining and/or manufacturing town in Pennsylvania with a population of more than 50, and Kansas City, and Detroit, and ...

Best Italian food I've ever had outside of my Italian grandmother's house was at a little dive in Steubenville.

[tallydude02]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Using that logic, wouldn't Italian food be great everywhere that has Italians or people of Italian descent?

Yet, according to some, only New York has great Italian food?

Riiiiiight.

lol probably because you haven't been there...

I was wondering about that too.

Northeastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia have large Italian populations. Is their Italian food subpar because they are out of the northeast corridor?

Obviously I am of Italian descent (my screen name is tallydude02) and my family can cook some great food! My hometown of Clarksburg, WV has a huge Italian population and it has great local Italian food.

Also the local Itailan eateries in this region (Pittsburgh) rival any on the east coast.

[Kris000]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

Is a fish taco better than it sounds? Because it sounds kind of gross, but I can't jump to conclusions until I try it.

I don't care for them, but I'm not much of a fish eater. Most people will say that they're amazing though. Sav858 is right about the Mexican food though- SoCal has amazing Mexican food. In my opinion, the carne asada is the best, it is to die for. I haven't had red meat in 9 years, and the carne asada I used to eat in San Diego is the one and only thing I miss.

[carverR]

Originally Posted by TheWereRabbit

Ahhh jeez, the old "New York has the best pizza and bagels" game.

You can get excellent pizza and bagels in Boston.

Montreal is very known for their bagels.

You can get cannolis anywhere with an italian population. Go to Mike's Pastry's in the North End of Boston, I can'T imagine too many places can beat them, in NYC or anywhere.

Black and Whites exist everywhere as far as I know. Well, you can definitely get them in Boston.

Come to think of it, other than bagels, this entire list is just italian-american treats.

No, pizza is just not the same outside of New York, New Jersey and Philly.
There plenty of New York style pizzerias in South Florida most established by New York expatriates and it still does not taste the same.
As fas bagels or bialys go, yes you can get them anywhere but
only in New York that taste as they should be. After all they were introduced in the City. Even Italians eateries outside of the area are simply not the same as there is hardly more vibrant Italian area than the tri-state. Same goes for Philly cheesteaks of course...