New York-Style Pizza or Avocado Toast?
New York and California are both known for their culinary scenes, but that doesn't mean you want to eat a hot dog in Los Angeles or a fish taco in Manhattan. Each place's food scene is unique, and you don't want to get confused and order the wrong thing. To help you, here are 10 foods New York does best and 10 California does better.
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1. Bagels with Lox and Cream Cheese
New York bagels aren't like the bagels found in other places. They are a bit denser and chewier because they are boiled before baking. A bagel with lox and cream cheese is a New York morning staple. Katz's Deli and Russ & Daughters can help you get your fix.
2. Pizza
New York pizza is a culinary icon that's recognized globally. Classic New York City pizza has a thin crust with a crisp base, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings. Joe's Pizza in Greenwich is a big reason for the city's pizza reputation.
3. New York Cheesecake
New York cheesecake is rich, creamy, dense, and mouth-watering. Common ingredients that deliver its unique texture and consistency are cream cheese and sour cream. The tang from the sour cream is especially notable.
4. Hot Dogs
Sold from carts that fill the city, hot dogs are the classic New York junk food snack. Nathan's Famous in Coney Island and Gray's Papaya are two of the most iconic hot dog joints in the city.
5. New York Strip Steak
New York steakhouses popularized this cut, and people loved how juicy and marbled it was. Keens Steakhouse remains the go-to place for a strip steak.
6. Black & White Cookie
A cookie that eats more like a cake in some ways. If you know someone visiting New York, and they don't bring you back a black & white cookie, then you should end the relationship. The simple cookie that's half chocolate fondant and half vanilla icing is a true treat.
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7. Egg Cream
Don't let the name fool you. This soda fountain drink is made from milk, seltzer, and chocolate syrup, and it's so quintessentially New York that it practically has a Bronx accent.
8. Manhattan Clam Chowder
Unlikee New England's creamy clam chowder, the Manhattan version is made with a tomato base and lots of vegetables and herbs. It's a beloved classic in every borough.
9. Knish
Brought to New York by Eastern European immigrants, the knish is a delightful doughy pastry filled with meat or potatoes. Smother it in gravy and call it a day.
10. Pastrami on Rye
A New York deli classic, the pastrami on rye can be enjoyed at Kat'z Deli, but be prepared to bite into a tower of pastrami. Don't be shy with the yellow mustard either.
1. Avocado Toast
California is known for many things, and one of them is its love of avocados. Just about any breakfast or brunch spot in California will serve a dish with sourdough bread topped in a layer of avocadoes with tomatoes, herbs, and a spritz of lemon juice. Some even come with a perfectly poached egg.
2. Fish Tacos
California has a wonderful collection of Mexican restaurants, and the signature dish of many is the fish taco. The fish is either fried or grilled, and the perfect fish taco is topped with cabbage, crema, salsa, and a little bit of heat.
3. California Roll
Los Angeles was key to introducing sushi to picky American eaters. By replacing raw fish with imitation crab and avocado, sushi becomes accessible. Chef Ichiro Mashita deserves a lot of the credit for the California roll.
4. Sourdough Bread
San Francisco sourdough has a fun, tangy flavor and actually dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery made it famous, but its legacy has carried through the entire state.
5. Cioppino
This fisherman's stew was quite popular in San Francisco for its blend of Italian flavors with local seafood. A hearty bowl of cioppino features Dungeness crab, shrimp, and clams in a rich tomato broth with an enticing depth of flavor.
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6. Acai Bowls
Leave it to California to make a nutrient-rich and healthy meal popular and beloved. You can get a lovely Acai bowl on most beaches throughout Southern California, but it's Brazilian in origin. Healthy foodies love it for its mix of superfoods, granola, and fruit.
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7. Green Goddess Dressing
Created by a chef working at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco in the 1920s, this herb-forward dressing is a flavorful blend of mayo, tarragon, and anchovies and is a staple for salads being served across the nation.
8. Korean BBQ Tacos
You have to visit one of the Korean food trucks throughout Los Angeles to try BBQ tacos. The Korean short rib is rich and tender, and the Mexican flavors are second-to-none. Roy Choi's Kogi Food truck sparked the popularity of this dish through the gourmet food truck movement that swept the city.
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9. French Dip Sandwich
As legend would have it, at Phillipe the Original in Los Angeles, a worker was preparing a roast beef sandwich but accidentally dropped the bun into the gravy. The customer told them to use the gravy-soaked bun, and an iconic sandwich was born. The French dip is simply roast beef on a baguette dipped in au jus, and there is nothing more succulent or better.
10. Avocado Ice Cream
California is not scared to get creative with avocados. This one might sound weird, but it's been growing in popularity for some time and reflects the collective taste buds of Californians. Try a scoop or two at Mitchell's in San Francisco.
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