As many of you have figured out, I have a love of languages and travel. Growing up a military brat cultivated these passions….my mom being an amazing cook simply added to my love. Along the way she taught me how to indulge my love of Filipino cuisine by teaching me how to make things like Filipino eggrolls, chicken adobo and pancit. (And no, I don’t consider myself a foodie)
Pancit made by yours truly!
After we returned stateside from our 4 year stint in the Philippines we settled in the Chicagoland area where I finished my education. When you mention food to most people from Chicago, the first thing you hear about is pizza…specifically deep dish pizza. Although I’m a pizza snob, that’s not what I crave when I think Chicago. For me, it’s a specific place…Portillo’s.
Portillo’s Drive Thru
Now most people want Chicago style hotdogs when they stop in…but for me it’s always been one particular thing… A nice, wet Italian Beef with mozzarella.
Italian Beef from my last trip
After living in the Chicagoland area for nearly 20 years (the longest I’d ever lived anywhere…prior to that the record was 4 years), I moved to Florida. Although most of the people living in Florida are transplants, technically it’s a part of the south. As I was once told by a friend, “the only thing further south than Florida is Mexico”.
For a girl who doesn’t like tea except when she’s ill, moving to the land of Grits and Sweet tea was very different. People were drinking the stuff everywhere…and I learned to adapt, though I’ve never loved the stuff. I’d still much rather have coffee. But one day, sitting in Cracker Barrel I found myself sending a text message to a friend of mine (a good ol’ boy from Louisiana who’d moved to Tennessee).
Me: I’ve got a question for you.
Him: What’s that, darlin’?
Me: Does me liking grits mean I’m turning southern?
Him: Absolutely!
In case you’re wondering, I like my grits with butter, salt and pepper….sometimes with a fried egg on top.
Then there was my time in El Paso. Although I like seasoning in my food, I’ve never been a big pepper person. Salsa was something you ate with tortilla chips. As for margaritas? Hate tequila…have never been a fan. So why is it that since I’ve been back I love pretty much anything with jalapenos? Or that when I went to breakfast with a friend at Perkins last week I was completely bummed that although they had salsa, I knew it would not be spicy enough to fit the bill…
As for margaritas…I won’t be having them anywhere but in El Paso, but I actually found one I loved after a little pushing from my friends out there.
Margarita courtesy of Carlos and Mickeys in El Paso
What I’ve learned is that I love exploring and experimenting with different, awesome foods (and drinks). Every region of the world has their favorites/specialties… So tell me…if I were to visit you, what foods (or drinks) are a must not miss? Is there a favorite restaurant?
In April I’m headed back to the Bahamas… I can’t wait to visit The Poop Deck…Awesome Conch Fritters!
I love food! I can’t say I’m much of an experimenteur but I do give things a try if subtly forced. My husband is an awesome cook (thankfully, because my specialty dish is Mac n cheese from the box), and he’s made me try so many new things. I found out I do in fact like spicey foods! But if you’re going to come visit Wisconsin, you’ve gotta get a beer brat. It’s mandatory
Add in anything with cheese and you’ve just pledged your allegiance 
As you know, my hubby and yours have that in common.
I can cook…and enjoy doing it, but not all the time. I’d rather write or read…or sing. Shocker, I know. 
(And cheese is a staple in our house) Is there a particular place you recommend for this beer brat? (And if I ever head to Wisconsin, I’m totally reaching out…)
As for beer brats…guess it’s a good thing my sister loves making them.
Best place I know of is at any sports tailgate party on the grills
And if you are ever in WI, you better reach out! We’d have a blast!
I know we would!
In Iowa – you MUST have a giant fried tenderloin sandwich with a side of fresh sweet corn (I suggest you go to the Iowa State Fair in August and pig out when everything’s in season). Nashville…hmm…you covered grits (I’m not officially Southern because I don’t like them!). So maybe hot chicken?
Mmm! Love corn…especially sweet corn. I’m so down! And a tenderloin sandwich sounds yummy. I shall make a note…best time for Iowa is in August…at the state fair.
Hot chicken sounds interesting, too! Man, I’ve got to get up to Nashville…
If you choose to go either place, I’m happy to be a tour guide! Oh and Arnold’s Meat and Three is another place to chow down here in Nashville, FYI. Happy eating!
Yay! I will definitely tap your shoulder if I head in either direction.
You have been invited…http://myownheart.me/2013/01/21/have-a-cup-with/
You honor me, my friend!
You honor me, my friend!
I visited your hallowed feeding ground when I was visiting your fair city a few years ago. My palate is not trained in the finer points of Chicago-style eating, but it was pretty darned good.
Why, thank you…along with places like New York and Dallas, Chicago is definitely a food mecca.
So, where would you recommend I try next time I head to the DFW area?
Foodwise? Probably Javier’s. It’s got Mexico City Cuisine and the best atmosphere of any restaurant I’ve ever been to. Brunch at Toulouse is good and mezza at Fadi’s. Tex-Mex? Joe T. Garcia’s in the Stockyards. Gloria’s rocks Salvadorian cuisine. Taco Diner is a Dallas staple. Jasper’s is a great place to get a steak or something else grilled. There’s just not a single food that translates into the Dallas food or restaurant. We love to eat and it shows.
Thanks! I’m going to have to try a couple of these places next time I’m in town. They sound fantastic!
I’m a margarita girl but what’s grits?
It’s a type of corn meal…usually eaten for breakfast. It has the same general consistency as polenta.
lol I’m the same heard of them but don’t know what they are ‘grits’ Love Margaritas and Mojitos! Pretty much anything with alcohol really
Favourite Restaurants over here – can’t name 1 as we are sooo diversified and spoilt for choice. Thai,Vietnamese,Chinese,Mongolian,Italian,German,Japanese,Russian, the list goes on and on. However when YOU do come to Aussie Land the seafood by far would have to be my choice. Lobster, Crayfish, Mud Crabs, Oysters, Scallops…. ok mouth is watering now 
xx
Yum! Sounds like a food mecca where you are! I love good Thai & Indian food. I look forward to one day trying seafood when I get there.
Blog Partay bring it on!
Woot!
Tried grits for the first time in Chicago last summer – at the Publican – and I liked it together with what was on my plate, but I wouldn’t go for it again. Didn’t have one pizza in Chicago .. there is so much other wonderful food in that city. Looking forward to your Bahamas trip too.
Grits is not a specialty in Chicago. I’ve tried it there and was distinctly unimpressed. Grits are more a southern specialty…but also an acquired taste.
So what is the food you feel visitors must try when they visit your city?
I know that it’s a Southern food – New Orleans was full of it.
They should try – laxpudding – a dish made in the oven with gravlax lox, potatoes, cream and dill served with clarified butter – and of course our seafood that I dare the Nordic countries has the best fish and seafood in the world, because of the way we prepare it and the cold waters.
Sounds good…although when it comes to seafood, it depends on the type of seafood you’re talking about.
there is something to be said for seafood in the tropics, too.
I promise you – that there is nowhere seafood taste better than in the Nordic countries *laughing .. because of the cold water.
I don’t know…tilapia is my favorite…and that’s tropical.
And my dislike of cold weather is well documented. When is the summer time up there?
June, July, August …. and in August we have our Crayfish festival .. for every crayfish head you break off you take a shot of ice cold Absolut.
Got it.
Good info for this warm blooded girl to have.
I heard that those shots are very good for warm blooded girls. *smile
I don’t mean the weather cold always is col .. the fishing waters .. are cold.
Understood.
I’ve never tried Filipino food, not sure you can get it around here, but I’d like to.
You’d have to get a good old fashioned big Irish breakfast with beans, toast, black pudding, sausage and rasher
We’ve already discussed black pudding..LOL! What’s rasher? And I would totally make you a Filipino meal if you’re unable to get it out there.
Rasher is crispy bacon
Oh!!! Yum!
I’ve lived in Texas all my life and can’t stand grits. But I don’t think Texas is technically considered “southern.” I prefer hash browns over grits. I’m also not a margarita fan. I prefer rum to tequila. When we were in Cancun between Christmas and New Year’s, we discovered a new favorite drink. It’s called “Miami Vice” and is half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Pina Colada. Yum!!
I’ve had a mix like that before…when I was in the Bahamas. with fresh fruit. It was fantastic! What region of Texas are you in? (Kinda huge state, you know…) And what is your “go to” place that you think visitors MUST visit?
Ah, yes….sorry. I live in DFW. One of our favorite places to eat out for a special time is called the “Magic Time Machine.” As far as I know, there are only two, one in Dallas and one in San Antonio. It’s a large restaurant, with many different themed rooms. The waiters and waitresses dress up as popular movie/comic book characters and actually act the parts. We’ve been waited on by Joe Dirt, Jack Sparrow, the Mad Hatter, and seen many others while there. The food is pretty decent, too. I recommend the Roman Orgy. Piles of fresh fruit, bread, meat, and some really unnecessary vegetables (in my opinion). We always bring at least two boxes of leftovers home with us.
Very cool! I like theme restaurants. But then, we have Ed Debevic’s in Chicago where it’s styled like a ’50′s diner & the waiters & waitresses get to be a bit snarky with you on purpose…kinda like the show Alice, if you remember that one.
You just let me know where you are going and I’ll tell you what food to try! I’ve been to too many places and tried too many different kids of food. If any of you guys ever make it out to the Austin area…you need to go to The Salt Lick. http://www.saltlickbbq.com/
It’s still the BEST bbq I’ve ever had and I’ve tried lots. Living in Chicago I can say I’m a little bit of a food snob, but North Port sure does have some fabulous donuts!!!!!
Will do!