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Food History

  • Spaghetti and meatballs with tomato sauce, basil and cherry tomatoes on a plate.

    Why Beef Meatballs In America Look So Different From Their Italian Roots

    Spaghetti with beef meatballs is a popular American dish, but meatballs in Italy are often made from different proteins and serve an entirely different purpose.

    By Jennifer M. McNeill 15 hours ago Read More
  • Interior of Neir's Tavern in Queens, New York.

    One Of NYC's Oldest Operating Bars Was Once A Star In Your Favorite Mob Movie

    You may not know this nearly 200-year-old tavern by name, but you'll recognize it as a background in one of Martin Scorsese's most memorable films.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 2 days ago Read More
  • Outside of Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant building with sign.

    The Nostalgic Fried Dessert Chi-Chi's Fans Will Definitely Remember From The '90s

    Nostalgia for the '90s is real as people reminisce about the many food products no longer around, including this memorable dessert from Chi-Chi's.

    By Amanda Berkey 2 days ago Read More
  • Steak sizzling in a hot pan in a professional kitchen

    Cracker Barrel Once Owned This Growing Steakhouse Chain. Do You Know Which One?

    You might know Cracker Barrel for its Southern-themed atmosphere and cooking, but the comfort food brand also used to own this steakhouse chain.

    By Amber Sutherland-Namako 2 days ago Read More
  • People eating during the Great Depression

    The Unusual Way People Enjoyed Peanut Butter During The Great Depression

    The Great Depression brought with it many dishes born of necessity. One of the most unusual involved peanut butter and this unexpected vegetable.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 2 days ago Read More
  • Young Frank Sinatra wearing a fedora and holding onto a round column.

    Where Frank Sinatra's Hands-Down Favorite Cheesecake Came From

    Frank Sinatra loved this cheesecake so much, he heralded it to well-known establishments and celebrities, and the business took off. Today, it is still popular.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 3 days ago Read More
  • The musician Jimmy Buffett performs on stage with his band, strumming a guitar with a strap over his shoulder. He wears sunglasses and a yellow tee shirt bearing the words

    Jimmy Buffett's Sister Runs A Restaurant That Always Served Him This Louisiana Staple

    Jimmy Buffett's favorite gumbo was a cherished family recipe passed down from his grandmother that can still be found at his sister's restaurants.

    By Ryan Zanoni 4 days ago Read More
  • various fast food items on a yellow background

    This Fast Food Chain Is Still Family Owned Today (And Has Been Since 1921)

    Discover how the country’s oldest burger chain remains family-owned while continuing to serve classic sliders and other fan favorites.

    By Nicole M. LaMarco 4 days ago Read More
  • Meat patties cooking on a grill

    You'll Never Eat Frozen Beef At This Burger Chain, Which Has Been Flipping Fresh Patties Since The '50s

    This popular fast food joint has been serving up fresh, never frozen, burgers for as long as it's been open. You're sure to get 100% American beef as well.

    By Eugenia Lazaris 4 days ago Read More
  • hands holding up a Burger King burger

    How Burger King's 1950s 'Insta-Broiler' Popped Out 400 Burgers An Hour

    In the 1950s, Burger King relied on this nifty contraption to cook burgers for the masses. However, there's a reason the vintage culinary tech didn't last.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 5 days ago Read More
  • Gerald Ford

    Gerald Ford's Comfort Meal Always Started With Pot Roast And Ended With This Dessert

    Gerald Ford is known for many things, including his, shall we say, "interesting" cottage cheese toppings. But his favorite dessert is a certified classic.

    By Hilary Wheelan Remley 5 days ago Read More
  • A white plate of Royal Red Shrimp garnished and sitting on a table.

    How Royal Red Shrimp Earned Its 'Lobster Of The Gulf' Reputation

    According to some Gulf coast diners, royal red shrimp rival the world’s most luxurious shellfish. But how did this crustacean earn its prestigious nickname?

    By Brianna Gunter 6 days ago Read More
  • The counter at Apple Pan is topped with several slices of pie on individual plates and a cup of coffee in the middle.

    When Visiting Los Angeles, Don't Forget To Snag A Slice Of Pie From One Of The City's Oldest Diners

    If you find yourself in Los Angeles, head over to this 1940s diner to step back in history. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and treat yourself to a slice of pie.

    By Amber Sutherland-Namako 6 days ago Read More
  • A portrait of Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson Dropped Over $10,000 On This Drink While In Office (That's Over A Quarter Million Today)

    While in office, Thomas Jefferson splurged on one costly drink. Here’s what it was and how it influenced American tastes and drinking habits.

    By Amy Andrews 7 days ago Read More
  • Kool-Aid packets on a store shelf

    Kool-Aid Is The Official Soft Drink Of This US State

    Only two states in the U.S. have official soft drinks. One of them designated Kool-Aid as theirs in 1998, as it's where the powdered beverage mix was invented.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 8 days ago Read More
  • A Muffuletta sandwich cut in four on a plate.

    Eat A Muffuletta Sandwich Bigger Than Your Head At This 1914 New Orleans Restaurant

    This New Orleans restaurant has been around for over a century, and along the way, it's developed a rep for serving some of the best muffulettas in town.

    By Tim Forster 8 days ago Read More
  • A close-up of a freshly baked cinnamon roll being served by a gloved hand in a bakery.

    Do You Remember The '80s Cinnamon Roll Chain Acquired By Arby's In The '90s?

    Arby's acquired this chain in the mid-1990s, hoping its cinnamon rolls would drive customers in during slow hours. However, it has since faded into obscurity.

    By Jennifer M. McNeill 9 days ago Read More
  • A Filet-O-Fish sandwich sits atop its paper container.

    I Watched And Ranked 16 McDonald's Filet-O-Fish Commercials And This One Is Best

    McDonalds has always been an innovator when it comes to fast food advertising, so we set out to find which Filet-o-Fish commercials were the most enticing.

    By Allyson Morgan 9 days ago Read More
  • Four ground beef patties on white squares of parchment paper surrounded by fresh rosemary and sliced onions

    The 1960s Ground Beef Dish Burger Lovers Would Swoon Over Today

    If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this vintage ground beef dish will satisfy your cravings for comforting, savory flavors.

    By Crystal Antonace 9 days ago Read More
  • Jimmy Carter smiling

    Jimmy Carter Served This Unexpected Dish To Foreign Leaders At The White House

    Jimmy Carter was a big fan of Southern food. His preferred dish to serve to White House guests was no exception, and many guests had never tried it before.

    By Hilary Wheelan Remley 10 days ago Read More
  • A bottle of the classic Old No. 7 Jack Daniel's whiskey along with a rocks glass with whiskey

    Meet The Real Jack Daniel: The Runaway Behind Your Favorite Whiskey

    Is there a real guy behind the name Jack Daniel's? Here's what you need to know about the iconic whiskey distillery's real-life lore.

    By JC Gonzalez 10 days ago Read More
  • Sliced spiral ham with orange slices on a white platter with string beans and herbs.

    The Old-Fashioned Way To Make Baked Ham Called For This Classic Drink

    There are numerous ways to bake ham, but this 1800s version requires this classic drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. It creates a tasty dish.

    By Craig Mattson 10 days ago Read More
  • Frank Sinatra smiling

    Frank Sinatra's Absolute Favorite Scotch Is Available Today At An Affordable Price

    The Rat Pack icon’s favorite Scotch is still easy to find, surprisingly affordable, and delivers the smooth Speyside flavor he loved.

    By Amy Andrews 11 days ago Read More
  • Guy Fieri smiling on stage at a cooking demonstration

    From Humble Beginnings To Mayor Of Flavortown: How Guy Fieri Got His Start

    He’s the face of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," but how did Guy Fieri become the celebrity he is today? His unique origin story explains it all.

    By Amanda Berkey 11 days ago Read More
  • Several menu items from Taco Bell served on a tray

    Taco Bell's 1970s Value Meal Included 3 Classic Items For Just 59 Cents

    In the 1970s, Taco Bell offered a value meal that gave you three classic menu items for just 59 cents. That's a good deal even by today's standards.

    By Robert Bruce 11 days ago Read More
  • Assorted sandwiches cut into quarters

    10 Old-School Sandwiches We'd Love To Bring Back

    You've likely had the classics like a club sandwich or a pb&j but nothing holds up to these old-school bites that we haven't seen in a very long time.

    By Suzanne S. Wiley 12 days ago Read More
  • Pot of crushed Italian tomatoes

    The Popular Soup Brand That Once Sold Canned Italian Tomatoes In The 1930s

    Before this classic soup brand got into the canned convenience meal market, the company started out by selling tomatoes imported from Italy.

    By Julia Mullaney 12 days ago Read More
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