Know These Regional Food Names, Avoid Kerfuffles
All photo credits: Getty
Do you call sandwiches on long rolls “subs” or “hoagies”? Maybe you call them “heros” or “grinders.” Whatever your chosen sandwich term of endearment, we bet you’re willing to go to the mat about it. Just try telling a “pop” person that it’s actually called “Coke,” we dare you. You might want to duck first.
Various names exist for seemingly identical dishes across the U.S., and it makes sense: America is vast, its population varied, and hometown pride is a point of hot contention. The melting pot in action! As is the case with regional accents, the names of popular dishes were affected by local cultures over time. The rest is history.
Below are a few dishes you might recognize by appearance if not by name. We bet they’ll come in handy on your next road trip.
1. In the Midwest, jelly donuts are “bismarcks.”
German immigrants who settled in the Midwest named the dessert after the 19th-century Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Fun fact: He unified Germany. (Boom!)
2. In New England, milkshakes are “frappes.”
Most people think milkshakes and frappes are the same thing (we agree), but the topic apparently inspires serious debate.
3. In Sheboygan, Wisconsin, sloppy joes are “hot tamales.”
Nope, Mexican spices aren’t used. We don’t get it either.
4. Soft drinks are called “soda,” “Coke” or “pop” depending upon where you are in the U.S.
Ah, the eternal epic soda-pop-Coke debate. We’d say pick a side, but it’s fun to watch people argue about it.
5. In Minnesota, casseroles are “hotdish.”
Casseroles are served warm, so they’re called hotdish? But not all hotdish is casserole. We’re lost.
At any rate, the dish’s origins can be traced to church picnics. Today, it’s so influential in Minnesota culinary culture that it inspired a documentary.
6. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, submarine sandwiches are “hoagies.”
Some say the sandwich was popular with Italian-American shipyard workers on Hog Island, Pa., hence the name. Others swear the name comes from the Irish surname Hogan. Alternate theories abound, so we’ll probably never know. Bonus: A toasted sub is called a grinder in parts of New England, and a hero in New York City.
7. In Cincinnati, chili con carne is “Cincinnati chili.”
The origin of this dish’s name is pretty obvious. What’s less obvious is its similarity to Texas chili mac, another chili dish served atop pasta. There’s a strong case that Texas chili mac was first concocted in Washington, D.C., which further complicates things.
Origin stories can be murky when it comes to certain foods, but people tend to be passionate about whichever one they choose to believe; pick your fights wisely. We suggest you follow this simple advice: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Outside Rome, call a hoagie whatever you want.
