What food/meal do you seek out when you go home?

[tktravels]

When you go back to your home country for a visit, what meal or food do you seek out?

[wise_rita]

Lawd almighty, I have a list!

However a top choice is Diet Mountain Dew. I buy a 12 pack and carry it around with me to the different houses I stay at.

[allibally]

Cheeseburgers, Chick-fil-a, and root beer. A nice steak place too.

I went to Chick-fil-a twice today. 1st just to get lemonade and then again for nuggets and lemonade. I had a calorie overload today too. I was at Taste of Chicago. Finally got my long awaited funnel cake. Still tastes yummy. Cleaning tomorrow will burn the calories right.

[Deleted]

Whenever I'm in Michigan I fill up on Diet Vernor's. It's a really good ginger ale that is only available in Michigan and sometimes the surrounding states.

Whenever H is home from Shanghai he requests Cooler Ranch Doritos microwaved with shredded colby jack on top. He could buy Doritos there but they're crazy expensive. He also always wants pizza from Pizza Hut or Old Chicago, pizza in Shanghai is just a little off.

[allibally]

Jul 14, 2012 22:52:32 GMT -5 @juliash said:

Whenever I'm in Michigan I fill up on Diet Vernor's. It's a really good ginger ale that is only available in Michigan and sometimes the surrounding states.

I've seen it in Wisconsin. My old Education Pschology teacher loved the Diet version. But it had to in bottles and we only got cans in the area so he would have the kids from the UP being it back after breaks. Haha.

[oneslybookworm]

OMG...my list is extensive. Diet Mountain Dew is number one...I freaking hoard that stuff. Then Taco Bell...with Diet Mountain Dew. Then Panera...with Diet Mountain Dew. I also do my best to get my fill of Bloomington Bagel Company (in my old college town)...with Mountain Dew (they don't have diet...bastards). Plus...The Cheesecake Factory.

[klingklang77]

NY pizza, Buffalo Wings (10 cent wing night!), bagels with scallion cream cheese from our local bagel shop, good steak, clams, and crabs. Oh and Panera bread. Oh and some Snapple peach iced tea; I don't like soda.

[dorothyinAus]

I haven't been back to the US since I moved over here, but I have plans to hit up all my favourites in NOLA this December -- Taco Bell, Chick-Fil-A and Sonic for a real lime slush. I also plan on getting shrimp flautas at Taqueria Corona, brisket enchiladas at Superior Grill, brociolone at Tony Mandina's and bell pepper rings at Franky & Johnny's.

[Cheesecake]

There's no Dutch food I ever crave or craved when I've been away from here. In the US I'll always make sure I get a really good burger somewhere, some BBQ, good Colorado Mexican food. Yummm, yummm, and sushi (yeah, I know, crazy, sushi in Colorado), but there's this one Japanese restaurant close to my parents that I LOVE and they have the best sushi in the world!

When we go to Milan (going home for DH) I always crave and buy tomatoes with flavor, and fresh breads and meats and such from the store around the corner. And Risotto Giallo (saffron risotto/risotto alla Milanese) just tastes better in the city it's named for, even though DH thinks the one I make at home is excellent. And Fusilli alla Carbonarina and Tagliate alla Robespiere from Tarantella (a neighborhood restaurant 5 minutes from MIL's apartment.)
Besides that a lot of things just taste better there, but really, those things are the ones I make sure I either buy as soon as we arrive, or have within 2 days of arriving).

[bail229]

I always have to have some NY pizza and bagels. I also like chick-fil-a and grape soda. There used to be a bigger list but we can get a lot of things at Costco now.

[wise_rita]

Jul 15, 2012 3:39:49 GMT -5 oneslybookworm said:

OMG...my list is extensive. Diet Mountain Dew is number one...I freaking hoard that stuff. Then Taco Bell...with Diet Mountain Dew. Then Panera...with Diet Mountain Dew. I also do my best to get my fill of Bloomington Bagel Company (in my old college town)...with Mountain Dew (they don't have diet...bastards). Plus...The Cheesecake Factory.

I've only ever seen Diet Dew at KFC and the Target food court. I'd probably die of a fatgasm if I found it at Taco Bell!

[clogged]

Real hamburger with a real shake, real hot dog- bonus if it's a chili dog, and Round Table Pizza. And doughnuts.

OMG How I have been dying for a round table pizza.

[dulcemariamar]

Nathan Hotdog
Chick-fil-a (Especially for the lemonade and French fries)
Panera-Cinnamon Crunch Bagel
Cheese Fries
Frosty from Wendys
Cinnamon and Sugar Pretzel from Auntie Annes
Blueberry Pancakes
Hash Browns
Corn Muffins
Cheesesteak
Cake Mix Ice cream from Cold Stone

[azure]

Sushi (we have it here, but is isn't great and it costs a fortune)
Poutine
Wings from Wild Wings
If it's summer than corn on the cob with a t-bone and baked potato

[travelingturtle]

BBQ
Steak
Cupcakes and other random desserts
Publix Sub
Chicken Wings
Chinese Food
Pizza
Iced Tea
Puerto Rican and Cuban food

[Deleted]

One word:

PIIIIIZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAA!

[ktkl09]

Bagels.
Burritos.

[pittpurple]

Wings and Mexican food. And oddly, we also have a sushi pace we always visit - who knew that was so common? there's a very American restaurant in Pittsburgh near my SIL that has insanely large portions (called Fatheads for a reason!) and gigantic Americanised salads and we always go there at least a couple times. Best wings ever.

[Deleted]

Jul 15, 2012 0:31:32 GMT -5 allibally said:

Jul 14, 2012 22:52:32 GMT -5 @juliash said:

Whenever I'm in Michigan I fill up on Diet Vernor's. It's a really good ginger ale that is only available in Michigan and sometimes the surrounding states.

I've seen it in Wisconsin. My old Education Pschology teacher loved the Diet version. But it had to in bottles and we only got cans in the area so he would have the kids from the UP being it back after breaks. Haha.

I've never seen the bottled version but I bet it would be amazing! I was just up in the UP, and my parents are still there, I might make them check for it

[crimsonandclover]

TexMex. Especially salsa. If we go out to eat TexMex, I will usually just chow down on the chips and salsa, only eat 1/4 to 1/2 of my meal, and take the rest home for the next day.
Taco pizza (a specialty of the area unless it's started to spread) from a local chain
Oyster stew in the winter
Sandwiches from a place I used to work at in the summers
Cheetos
Fritos

[popcorn]

Mexican/Tex Mex food. Like others I gorge myself on (free!) chips and salsa. NOM.

Bottomless chips&salsa from Chili's. Amazing.

Red Robin: Whiskey River Barbecue Chicken Burger, bottomless fries, real milkshakes!

Chipotle

Smoothies (usually Jamba Juice, but any good smoothie will do)

If I'm in the South I'll get sweet tea--which you can't get in Seattle. Same with chik-fil-a.

Dr. Pepper

Free refills in general

American style breakfast (pancakes, eggs, real crunchy bacon, hash browns, etc)

Sour Punch Straws

Basically, anything greasy and delicious. I'm sure there are more things, but that's all I can think of now.

And I leave for the US tomorrow so this list is not depressing me, but making me so excited!!!

[Wanderista]

Uh, well, Chipotle is definitely at the top of the list of places that I go to first when I've been traveling, then again, I'll go when I have any excuse. I love a spicy chicken burrito with guacamole. DC has great frozen yogurt places, I'm addicted to things like pomegranate or pink guava frozen yogurt with Fruity Pebbles and honey.

Also there is this place called Dangerously Delicious Pies which is the kind of place where you can close your eyes, point, and be happy because everything is delicious.

I lived in London long enough and at an integral enough point in my life, so it does feel like another type of home. I love going to Nando's, Wagamama, and Yo! Sushi. All of those are either in DC or about to open in DC so I am not too deprived. There's also this creperie in South Kensington that is like heaven no matter what you order. In the spring, I had a savory crepe with gruyere and broccoli and a sweet crepe with apples and cinnamon. I washed it down with Breton cider and wanted to die with pleasure.

Out where my Midwestern family lives, there are many regional favorites. There are things like sandwiches covered in French fries and cheese. There are also lots of biscuits and gravy. Also, when I'm in the Midwest, I visit chains like Dairy Queen and A&W. I'll prefer to keep those sorts of things as periodic treats rather than as regular haunts. They're delicious but not good for the waistline!

[Deleted]

Wanderista - Sandwiches covered in fries and cheese - are you referring to horseshoes?
I grew up in Springfield, IL where there are a few restaurants that specialize in them. I haven't had one in a few years because my parents moved and I have no reason to go back there, but they are awesome!

[Wanderista]

Jul 15, 2012 17:27:28 GMT -5 @juliash said:

Wanderista - Sandwiches covered in fries and cheese - are you referring to horseshoes?
I grew up in Springfield, IL where there are a few restaurants that specialize in them. I haven't had one in a few years because my parents moved and I have no reason to go back there, but they are awesome!

Hehe, it is indeed a horseshoe or a ponyshoe. My mom is from that vicinity. I fondly remember eating them, though they were enormous and I could rarely finish a whole one. I guess that it is a central Illinois version of a Welsh rarebit. It's such a great idea that I am not sure why it has not gained more traction in other places.

[Deleted]

Jul 15, 2012 18:32:15 GMT -5 Wanderista said:

Jul 15, 2012 17:27:28 GMT -5 @juliash said:

Wanderista - Sandwiches covered in fries and cheese - are you referring to horseshoes?
I grew up in Springfield, IL where there are a few restaurants that specialize in them. I haven't had one in a few years because my parents moved and I have no reason to go back there, but they are awesome!

Hehe, it is indeed a horseshoe or a ponyshoe. My mom is from that vicinity. I fondly remember eating them, though they were enormous and I could rarely finish a whole one. I guess that it is a central Illinois version of a Welsh rarebit. It's such a great idea that I am not sure why it has not gained more traction in other places.

I love finding other people who know about and have eaten horseshoes/ponyshoes. I introduced DH to them when we visited my parents while they were still living in Springfield. It blew his mind. I'm also not sure why it hasn't spread...maybe everyone else is afraid of the insane amount of calories in it.

[clogged]

Jul 15, 2012 18:32:15 GMT -5 Wanderista said:

Jul 15, 2012 17:27:28 GMT -5 @juliash said:

Wanderista - Sandwiches covered in fries and cheese - are you referring to horseshoes?
I grew up in Springfield, IL where there are a few restaurants that specialize in them. I haven't had one in a few years because my parents moved and I have no reason to go back there, but they are awesome!

Hehe, it is indeed a horseshoe or a ponyshoe. My mom is from that vicinity. I fondly remember eating them, though they were enormous and I could rarely finish a whole one. I guess that it is a central Illinois version of a Welsh rarebit. It's such a great idea that I am not sure why it has not gained more traction in other places.

Off subject, but for years I though it was called Welsh Rabbit. And thought it was some derogatory/racist thing because there wasn't any meat on it. Yeah.... I am an idiot. 8-D

[dorothyinAus]

Jul 16, 2012 6:27:56 GMT -5 clogged said:

Off subject, but for years I though it was called Welsh Rabbit.

I have seen it called both Rarebit and Rabbit. The plain cheese version had always been called Welsh Rabbit at my house, but I have also had Creole Rabbit with sauteed onions, bell pepper and celery, and Mexican Rabbit with tomatoes, chili peppers, onions and corn.

[Wanderista]

Jul 16, 2012 6:27:56 GMT -5 clogged said:

Jul 15, 2012 18:32:15 GMT -5 Wanderista said:

Hehe, it is indeed a horseshoe or a ponyshoe. My mom is from that vicinity. I fondly remember eating them, though they were enormous and I could rarely finish a whole one. I guess that it is a central Illinois version of a Welsh rarebit. It's such a great idea that I am not sure why it has not gained more traction in other places.

Off subject, but for years I though it was called Welsh Rabbit. And thought it was some derogatory/racist thing because there wasn't any meat on it. Yeah.... I am an idiot.

You're not an idiot at all, you're actually pretty right on about it. As a kid, I had to do a report on Wales and I always thought that Welsh rarebit had rabbit in it, so I never ordered it. (I'm not a vegetarian but I try to avoid eating bunnies).

According to Wikipedia/Google, Welsh rarebit was originally called Welsh rabbit but became rarebit by a corruption of the word, back before there were standardized spellings for things. There is strong suspicion that Welsh rabbit was a derogatory saying refering to how poor the Welsh were or that they weren't good at hunting, "Cheese is a Welshman's rabbit". All ridiculous stuff. Apparently there used to exist English, Irish and Scottish "rabbits" as well. I guess that it comes from a time when people were poor and cheese was the only protein that could be afforded by many.

That said, I finally had it at a Covent Garden cafe in London in the spring. It's an excellent dish. The ingenuity of historic poverty has resulted in a number of excellent dishes throughout the world. It is interesting to know that there are other regional variations on this dish in the Americas as well.

[Shreddingbetty]

I can get a so much stuff in the US now that there isn't a lot of things I have to have when I go to NL. Most of the things tend to be sweet stuff. I do love a good saté and I love filet américain. Filet américain is basically a steak tartare spread for bread/crackers. I have always loved it even as a kid. I have no idea why it is called filet américain because there is nothing "américain" about it, I fact most Americans I know get all grossed out by steak tartare of any kind.

I also like pudding broodjes and always have. Can't get those here. Basically a soft sweet white roll with yellow vanilla pastry cream...yum ( www.thedutchtable.com/2011/03/puddingbroodjes.html , I'm gonna have to check this blog out more now...) the pics here actually don't look as appetizing as the ones at the bakeries in NL but that's probably becuase these were homemade

I can get a lot of good chocolate here now but one thing I have not been able to find (even online) is BonBonBloc....we always bring about 12-15 of those back.

I guess those are the main things. I definitely have a sweet tooth but there is actually a Dutch bakery in Colorado Springs that carries chocolate sprinkles and chocolate "flakes" for bread (although I tend to eat it by itself), stroop wafels, black licorice, gevulde speculaas, Café noir cookies. Pricey but worth it

[lin]

Reese's Pieces (the pieces, not the peanut butter cups). That seems to be the only American candy that's really hard to find overseas. Also Root Beer and Dr. Pepper; I've yet to find a non-American who "gets" either of those, though I think the Aussies have caught on to Dr. Pepper a bit.