Chain Restaurants Helped Redefine Everyday Dining. Restaurant chains have shaped American eating habits far more than people sometimes admit. They changed what families expect from a quick meal, how much food should cost, where people…
Internet Archive Book Images on WikimediaJell-O salads are one of those foods that make modern diners pause and ask several fair questions. Why is there shredded carrot in lime gelatin? Who decided cottage cheese needed…
Some Kitchen Projects Ask Too Much. Some foods are rewarding to make from scratch, and then there are the ones that seem committed to taking over your entire day. They require special equipment, endless waiting,…
Famartin on WikimediaRanch dressing feels so familiar now that it can seem like it's always been sitting in American refrigerators. It shows up on salads, wings, pizza crusts, fries, sandwiches, raw vegetables, and plenty of…
Lunch Used to Have a Little More Ceremony. Victorian-era luncheons were not always casual little meals squeezed between errands. For middle- and upper-class households, meals could include carefully arranged cold meats, delicate sandwiches, savory pastries,…
Mexican Takeout Can Go Either Way. Mexican takeout can be colorful, flavorful, comforting, and surprisingly easy to turn into a very heavy meal. The difference often comes down to portion size, whether something is fried,…
Phil Hearing on UnsplashMaple syrup seems too wholesome for crime, which is probably part of why maple fraud always feels so dramatic. It comes from trees, sits nicely on pancakes, and looks like the sort…
Ice Cream Tastes Different Everywhere, but Some Flavors Travel Well. Ice cream may be one of the most universally loved desserts, but the flavors people reach for can change a lot depending on where they…
Food Pride Gets Personal Fast. Americans can disagree politely about plenty of things, but regional food isn't always one of them. Once barbecue sauce, pizza crust, chili, bagels, hot dogs, or clam chowder enters the…
