Where do we live?
North of Spiedies. South of Thousand Island Dressing and Croghan Bologna. East of Beef on Weck, Chicken Wings, Garbage Plate and White Hots. West of Peppermint Pig, Chicken Riggies, Tomato Pie and Utica Greens.
We live in the land of Salt Potatoes and Dinosaur BBQ. We are firmly planted in soda country, well east of the Empire State’s Soda vs. Pop line.
If you love food and love to discover local and regional favorites, none of this is breaking news. But New York’s diverse food terrain is officially noted on an appetizing and entertaining map, “New York State by Food Regions,’’ created by Shannon Glazer, a Geographic Information Services specialist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Inspired by my visits to all corners of New York State, I recently decided to map different food regions in the state,’’ Glazer notes on the New York State Food Map Facebook page. The map has been “shared” more than 2,500 times.
“After the first version of my map spread like wildfire, I decided to edit the map based on some of the comments I received. …
“I'm starting this page to continue the conversation! Post your thoughts on local food here...Check out the "likes" on the page for more info about some of the restaurants and foods on the map!’’
My editor at Central New York: The Good Life Magazine turned me on to Glazer’s accomplishment. The May/June issue features a story on the treasure-filled foodie map, as well stories on Upstate travel destinations in all directions of Syracuse.
I can live without Michigans (a Plattsburgh specialty; hotdogs piled with onions and smothered in mustard and meat sauce) but I am bound and determined (translation: hellbent!) to get to Brooks Chicken BBQ country (Oneonta), possibly on the way to Mozzarella Sticks with Raspberry Sauce (Albany/Capital Region).
Thanks, Shannon. Happy food trails!
Yes! Thanks for visiting, Robin.
--Margaret
Posted by: Margaret @ Eat First | 05/07/2012 at 06:12 PM
Can't forget about half moon cookies, also from Utica I believe!
Posted by: Robin | 05/07/2012 at 02:42 PM
Hi, Wanda --
I am also a St. Bonaventure grad. Maybe Shannon Glazer will add Cuba Cheese to her Food Regions of New York State map. Whaddaya think?
Thanks for visiting.
--Margaret
Posted by: Margaret @ Eat First | 05/06/2012 at 03:54 PM
When I was an undergrad at Bonas in the late 80s/early 90s I wrote a statistics paper that I eventually turned into an article for our magazine class on the word "pop" vs. "soda." I took an informal poll of students to see which word they used and what part of NY state (or another state) they were from. And, yes it was all those Western New Yorkers that used "pop." LOL. One of the professors I worked for used to have a mini refrigerator in his office full of "pop." Funny thing is when I lived in the South after graduation, everyone down there called all soda "coke" even if it wasn't Coke.
Posted by: Wanda | 05/06/2012 at 10:01 AM
Hi, Patti --
Glad you visited! I love this map, too. Shannon is a genius! Re Cornell chicken: Love that, too! Have you ever been to the Brooks Chicken BBQ in Oneonta mentioned on the map? Rumor has it that it has the largest BBQ pit in the Northeast. I'm not sure if it's BBQ-sauce style chicken or more unadorned, like the Cornell chicken. All I can say is: ROAD TRIP!!
Cheers,
--Margaret
Posted by: Margaret @ Eat First | 05/05/2012 at 03:25 PM
I love this map. My favorite local food is Cornell Chicken or is it State Fair Chicken?
Posted by: SnarkWaffle | 05/05/2012 at 12:10 AM