No Taste Like Home
We dig into the stories behind iconic regional dishes, from Philly cheesesteaks to Chicago giardiniera to the perfect bowl of Texas chili
When it comes to talking about “American food,” it’s easy to slip into cliches about burgers and hot dogs. But turning an eye to more specific iconic regional dishes, from the mumbo sauce wings of D.C. to the kolaches of Texas, kick-starts a conversation about what defines the diverse cuisine of a country made up of 50 different states. The intersection of California communities that produced LA’s Korean taco. The inexpensive ingenuity that led to Hawai‘i’s loco moco. And yes, hot dogs should be part of this conversation, too, whether it be Chicago’s garden-dragged version or Detroit’s chili-drenched Coney dog.
In this package, we dig into the stories behind these regional favorites, unpacking what exactly defines the Massachusetts South Shore’s delicious bar pizza, and explaining why Philly’s oxtail cheesesteak deserves special recognition in a city overflowing with fantastic sandwiches. We unpack the African roots of many classic dishes of New Orleans, and sing the praises of a perfect bowl of Texas chili. And, to truly put those feelings of hometown pride to the test, 16 of our editors have faced off in a great bracketed debate to crown one local dish supreme. You probably have an opinion about that — and it might just be connected to the city you call home.
Credits
Editorial Lead: Missy Frederick | Project Manager: Jess Mayhugh | Creative Director: Nat Belkov | Designer and Illustrator: Lille Allen
Editors: Erika Adams, Nicole Adlman, Nadia Chaudhury, Missy Frederick, Brenna Houck, and Jess Mayhugh
Copy Editors: Nadia Q. Ahmad and Amanda Luansing
Contributors: Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Harry Cheadle, Brooke Jackson-Gladden, Matthew Kang, Melissa McCart, Ernest Owens, Ashok Selvam, Courtney E. Smith, and Valerie Li Stack
Photographers: Carter Hiyama, Justin Kelleher, Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet, Randy Schmidt, and Kathy Tran
Engagement Editors: Kaitlin Bray, Frances Dumlao, and E Jamar
Special Thanks: Erin DeJesus, Amanda Kludt, Clair Lorell, and Stephanie Wu
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