You Just Wouldn’t Understand
New York has plenty of foods that look perfectly ordinary until you actually order them in New York. Some have unusual names, some come with very specific preparation rules, and others are so tied to local habits that visitors can feel like they missed an important memo. If you're from outside the state, a few of these foods might leave you wondering why everyone seems so passionate about them.
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1. Chopped Cheese
There isn't much to explain about the chopped cheese sandwich other than its name may confuse people who aren't familiar with NYC. It is just beef, cheese, onions, and typically some lettuce and tomatoes on a long piece of bread. It's a neighborhood staple that's particularly associated with bodegas and Harlem and the Bronx.
2. Black and White Cookies
It's when you couldn't decide on icing, so you used both. It's a cake-like cookie with vanilla icing on one half and chocolate icing on the other. New Yorkers generally know exactly what you're talking about, while visitors sometimes expect a traditional crunchy cookie.
3. Beef on Weck
Beef on weck is a Buffalo specialty consisting of thinly sliced roast beef served on a kummelweck roll, which is covered with coarse salt and caraway seeds. Don't expect to ask for no bun because you won't be getting the same experience if you request regular bread. Some outsiders may think that they will receive your average roast beef sandwich.
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4. Garbage Plate
Rochester's garbage plate has a name that sounds considerably less appetizing than the actual meal. Usually, it's your home fries, macaroni salad, meat, and whatever else the restaurant decides to throw on it. It can be overwhelming to those who don't know about it, but it's a favorite here in Rochester.
5. Chicken Riggies
Another NY favorite, chicken riggies are rigatoni with chicken. They have a variety of spices put on top and always a good amount of pepper and cream. There are many opinions on how to properly cook a plate of riggies, especially here in Utica.
6. Spiedies
Spiedies are pieces of meat that have been marinated and grilled. They're then placed on a roll similar to a sub roll. Usually, they are chicken, but there are other types of meat.
7. Salt Potatoes
Potatoes that are cooked with salt are called salt potatoes. They're mostly found around Syracuse and typically will have butter on them. You may think they are extremely salty when you hear the name, but they have their reason for cooking them with salt.
8. Garbage Bread
Despite its unfortunate name, garbage bread isn't made from actual garbage. It's essentially a stuffed, rolled bread creation that can contain ingredients such as meat, cheese, and other fillings, with variations depending on the recipe. The name alone tends to get outsiders asking questions before they've even had a chance to try it.
9. Utica Greens
Utica greens are a dish made with escarole, peppers, breadcrumbs, cheese, and other savory ingredients. They're not just plain green vegetables, as there is a lot of flavor packed into this one. You may be shocked at how seasoned they can be.
10. White Hot Dogs
If you're from New York State, you most likely know what white hots are. They're a hot dog made with pork, beef, and veal. They look like a hot dog but are just pale in color, so many may just stare at one when they see it.
11. New York-Style Cheesecake
New York has the best cheesecake. Outsiders may wonder why a slice feels so substantial compared with other cheesecakes. That's exactly the point, because New York doesn't generally approach cheesecake with restraint.
12. Egg Cream
An egg cream contains neither eggs nor cream, which is usually the first thing outsiders want explained. The classic New York fountain drink combines chocolate syrup, milk, and carbonated water to create a foamy beverage. Once you know what's actually in it, the name becomes even more confusing, but longtime New Yorkers aren't especially bothered by that.
13. Manhattan Clam Chowder
Many people will think Manhattan clam chowder is the same thing as the creamy base associated with New England clam chowder. That single difference can turn a perfectly innocent bowl of soup into a surprisingly serious regional debate. If you grew up expecting clam chowder to be white and creamy, seeing a red version can be genuinely unexpected.
14. Garbage Fries
Garbage fries are exactly the kind of food that makes New York's casual food culture so entertaining. There are many ways people prepare them, but they usually have cheese and meat on them. When you ask them what garbage fries are, they will look at you.
15. Utica Tomato Pie
Utica tomato pie is a thick, rectangular pizza-style dish topped with tomato sauce and usually served at room temperature or cool rather than piping hot. Cheese may be used sparingly or not at all, depending on the bakery. For someone expecting a steaming slice covered in melted mozzarella, the first encounter can be a serious adjustment.
16. New York Pizza
Some people think that when they get a slice of pizza, that's it, you're done. With New York pizza, you have to be able to fold your slice in half. If you order a slice and then sit down expecting a small individual pizza, you may discover that New York has a different idea of what counts as a serving.
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17. Knishes
Knishes are dough that has been stuffed with a potato filling. Typically, they are baked, but you can fry them as well. Outsiders may expect something more like a pastry, but a potato knish can be hearty enough to function as a snack all by itself.
18. Bialys
A bialy looks somewhat like a bagel, which is where the confusion usually begins. They are very similar in appearance. Bialys are not boiled like your bagels; they have an indentation in the middle that can hold onions or anything else the baker wants to put in it.
19. Manhattan Special
Manhattan Special is a coffee soda made in Brooklyn for many years. It combines coffee with carbonated water and sugar, creating a fizzy drink that sounds unusual until you actually taste one. Coffee purists and soda fans may both need a moment to decide what they think about it.
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20. Disco Fries
Disco fries are French fries covered with gravy and melted cheese, making them considerably more indulgent than the average order of fries. They're particularly associated with diners and late-night eating in the New York and New Jersey area. Outsiders might wonder why anyone would add gravy to fries, but after a long night, that question tends to become much less important.
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