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Food History

  • The exterior of Tom's Restaurant in NYC has a red neon letters on a blue background that appeared in Seinfeld

    Where To Find Tom's Restaurant, The Real-Life Seinfeld Hangout In NYC

    For fans of Seinfeld, there are few locations as iconic as Monk's Cafe. Luckily, visiting its real-life counterpart, Tom's Restaurant, couldn't be easier.

    By Amber Sutherland-Namako 3 months ago Read More
  • cans of Spam

    The Humble Spam Meal That Quietly Became A Global Comfort Favorite

    Despite its salty flavor, Spam's globetrotting history is sour. The canned meat popularized as a wartime provision inspired this classic comfort meal.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 3 months ago Read More
  • vintaged canned goods displayed on a shelf

    The 1930s Canned Stew That Defined An Era And Then Suddenly Disappeared Forever

    Discover the fascinating story of the 1930s canned stew that became a household staple during the Great Depression and then vanished 80 years later.

    By Emmy Schneider-Green 3 months ago Read More
  • Ground beef on parchment paper with fresh herb

    You Won't Believe How Much A Pound Of Ground Beef Cost In 1970

    Grocery prices have increased over recent years. But when you compare prices to how much they used to be just a few decades go, the results can be shocking.

    By Amanda Berkey 3 months ago Read More
  • McDonald's meal

    The Discontinued 1970s McDonald's Snack We Desperately Want To Try

    Many McDonald's menu items have come and gone over the years, but this 1970s predecessor to the chain's McNuggets is one snack we wish we could try today.

    By Hilary Wheelan Remley 3 months ago Read More
  • The interior of Rudy's Bar & Grill in NYC is dimly lit

    The Legendary 1930s NYC Dive Bar Known For Al Capone And Free Hot Dogs

    New York City isn't home to as many dive bars as it used to be, but Al Capone used to visit this legendary 1930s-era watering hole that has free hot dogs.

    By Amber Sutherland-Namako 3 months ago Read More
  • Anthony Bourdain

    What Anthony Bourdain Really Thought About Airplane Food

    As the host of multiple travel shows, Anthony Bourdain certainly got around. So it's no surprise that he had strong feelings about airplane food.

    By Julia Mullaney 3 months ago Read More
  • Orange juice with oranges

    Find This Once-Popular Drink Chain Quietly Thriving Through A Fast Food Giant

    There are many forgotten drinks and drink chains in food history, but this one still manages to thrive by hiding inside a fast food giant.

    By Julia Mullaney 3 months ago Read More
  • steak dinner at a restaurant

    The Massive Steakhouse Chain That Closed In 2000 And Has Since Faded Into Obscurity

    Once a bustling East Coast favorite, this iconic steakhouse chain closed in 2000. Find out what caused its downfall after decades of success.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 3 months ago Read More
  • mixed skittles creatively framing the brand's logo

    Who Owns Skittles? The Answer Is More Complicated Than You Think

    Skittles have been iconic for more than 50 years. But the company has changed ownership quite a few times. Here's a brief history of who owns Skittles.

    By Marco Sumayao 3 months ago Read More
  • Wisconsin state flag behind Lady Justice

    The Retro Ingredient That Was Once Illegal To Buy And Sell In Wisconsin

    Did you know Wisconsin outlawed the purchase and sale of this condiment for almost 100 years? Here's why it was so divisive in the 19th and 20th centuries.

    By Sean Pagnotti 3 months ago Read More
  • iconic '90s foods on a blue background

    15 Frozen Food Brands That Defined The '90s

    From Ellio's to Totino's, these frozen food brands absolutely defined the '90s. Get ready for a walk down memory lane as we check out some of the most iconic.

    By Inge Pham-Swann 3 months ago Read More
  • Friendly's banana split and other frozen desserts

    The Massachusetts-Based Restaurant Chain That Started As An Ice Cream Shop In The 1930s

    Businesses can change over time, and such is the case with one East Coast restaurant chain that got its start as an ice cream parlor decades ago.

    By Andrew Amelinckx 3 months ago Read More
  • four white bowls of salad dressing against green background

    11 Old-School Salad Dressings Hardly Anyone Eats Anymore

    While salads will always have a place on the table, there are some once-popular dressings that people have forgotten about, left to the greens of yesterday.

    By Jon Dempsey 3 months ago Read More
  • A beef sandwich and fries in red plastic basket

    Before McDonald's, This Beloved Restaurant Chain Once Ruled American Roads

    When roadside restaurants first got started, McDonald's wasn't the only game in town. Another restaurant with a name you'll recognize also ruled the roost.

    By Tim Forster 3 months ago Read More
  • Ben & Jerry's pints

    Why Ben & Jerry's Stopped Making Fossil Fuel Ice Cream

    Popular ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's once made a positively prehistoric flavor called Fossil Fuel. Here's why it went the way of the dinosaurs.

    By Hilary Wheelan Remley 3 months ago Read More
  • Bowl of popcorn scattered on a wooden table

    These 1970s Popcorn Makers Once Made Snack Time Feel Futuristic. Now They're So Nostalgic

    Take a look back at a nostalgic childhood favorite for movie nights. These old school machines were a staple in '70s households and continue to delight today.

    By Jennifer M. McNeill 3 months ago Read More
  • A bowl with roasted chicken drumsticks stacked up.

    The Unconventional Meat Americans Ate Before Chicken Became Affordable

    Before chicken became a widespread food in U.S. households, some Americans found ways to create the experience of eating chicken without the chicken itself.

    By Tim Forster 3 months ago Read More
  • Bottles of Mug root beer in a row on a store shelf

    The Popular Soda Company That Owns Mug Root Beer

    Mug root beer may seem like a standalone product, and it is in many ways, but it's owned by a conglomerate. Here's how the soda launched in 1940 endured.

    By Hanan Z. Naqeeb 3 months ago Read More
  • Cheesy pepperoni pizza slice pulled from pie.

    This Vintage Pizza Chain Was In Business 50 Years, But You've Probably Never Heard Of It

    This Pacific Northwest pizza chain revolutionized how we order pizza today, but that didn't stop it from shutting down all of its locations by 2013.

    By Jennifer Magid 3 months ago Read More
  • A McDonald's Quarter Pounder meal with fries and a soda.

    The Legendary '90s McDonald's Meal We'd Love To Try Today

    McDonald's is known for its brand collaborations, but one crossover with an NBA legend might as well have been a Happy Meal for '90s adults.

    By Gerard Jones 3 months ago Read More
  • Assortment of colorful dips in small bowls

    This Bygone Dip From The '70s Costs Pennies To Make

    This delicious dip from the 1970s is almost just as affordable to make now as it was in decades past. All you need are a few ingredients to make it happen.

    By Megan Shoop-Volz 3 months ago Read More
  • Inside of the Greenbrier Restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    The Tennessee Steakhouse With A Spooky History

    This steakhouse in the Smoky Mountains has been around for a long time. Along the way, it's seen plenty of history and attracted many spirits.

    By Hilary Wheelan Remley 3 months ago Read More
  • A grilled sandwich cut into triangles

    The Old School Great Depression-Era Sandwich That Still Holds Up Today

    Discover the humble Depression-era sandwich that stood the test of time thanks to its simple ingredients, rich flavor, and nostalgic comfort in every bite.

    By Hanan Z. Naqeeb 3 months ago Read More
  • Juicy tomatoes glisten with dewdrops.

    The Wild Spanish Festival Where People Throw Tomatoes By The Truckload

    Throwing crushed tomatoes at someone would certainly be frowned upon in the U.S., but doing so is the main appeal of this exciting festival in Spain.

    By Jennifer M. McNeill 3 months ago Read More
  • Assorted homemade slices of pie

    The Hands Down Best Pie In Every Single US State

    Nearly every state has its favorite local pie recipe, ranging from sweet delights to savory ones. Here's where you can find the best slice in your state.

    By Monika Sudakov 3 months ago Read More
  • East coast dishes on a blue background

    10 East Coast Delicacies You Should Try At Least Once

    From a whoopie pie to a cheesesteak, there are a lot of foods that originated on the East Coast, and it's true that they also just taste better there.

    By Sara Klimek 3 months ago Read More
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