Grub Americana

food histories

Hot Dogs, Another Iconic American Food

The hot dog consists of a boiled, steamed, or grilled sausage, known as a wiener or frankfurter, tucked into a specially designed bun, usually dressed with condiments or toppings that can vary depending on your country, state, or locale.

The American Diner

Diners can be traced back to Walter Scott, a newspaper pressman at the Providence Journal who, in 1872, left the presses to sell late night coffee and sandwiches from a horse-drawn wagon.

Chimichangas

The chimichanga is said to have been created not in Mexico but in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Cheesecake Story

The first cheesecakes, known as “plakous,” were simply made using only flour, wheat, honey, and cheese.

America’s Favorite Condiment

One of my all-time favorites is a tuna salad sandwich–canned Albacore tuna packed in water with minced celery and onion, hard-boiled egg, a touch of garlic, and lots of America’s favorite condiment, mayonnaise. And though some of you may dislike, even hate mayo, I’m among the majority who wouldn’t think of having a ham and […]