My dad and my brother both drink it like it's going out of style, but I can't tolerate the stuff beyond one sip... *shudder* Just moved down South and I'm beginning to discover the wonders of Southern cookin'. There's some mighty good food down here!
All my friends from up North who've been down here tell me things like, "You gotta' try so-and-so"... Here's what I've had...
Sonny's Ribs
Krispy Kreme donuts
Sonic's "Chilli Pie"
Meat 'n' three at "Po folks"
Moon Pies
Goo-Goo clusters.
grits
fried okra
What else is there? You know, those things that you are required to eat al least once.
(Like if you go to New England, you have to have fresh-off-the-boat seafood.)
Hehe...one New England thing that everyone ought to try is a cola called Moxie! It certainly qualifies as something that is an acquired taste! My dad and my brother both drink it like it's going out of style, but I can't tolerate the stuff beyond one sip... *shudder*
Someone 'from away' have also told me that playing cribbage is a New England thing also, this same person then proceeded to tell me how much he did not like the game at all. It probably didn't help that I had not only beaten him at the game, but had skunked him as well. (For those clueless in the ways of playing cribbage, someone is skunked if they lose by 30 or more points, double skunked if they lose by 60 or more points.)
In the past I have seen many "You know you're from Maine when..." lists, here are a few I remember from those lists that involve food:
-You've ever eaten baked beans at a grange supper
-You've ever made a meal out of a Jordan's Red Dye hotdog, a bag of Humpty Dumpty potato chips, and a can of Moxie
-You've ever argued the comparative quality of fried dough
-Even your high school cafeteria made a good clam chowder
-You know that Moody's Diner does not take credit cards!
-You've ever had a moose-meat burger
-You wonder why there aren't fried clam shacks elsewhere in the country
-You (or a friend) ever packed Deering Ice Cream cones as a summer job
-You know what tomalley is...
(The spelling may not be 100% on that, I know what the stuff is, know how it's pronounced, I'm iffy on the spelling though. 
)
OK...I'll shut up now, or I could ramble for a long time! 
~Gracia
Oh yeah... ham italians... I knew something was eluding my memory in the wee hours of the morning! Heh, it was even on one of those lists...so here ya go:
'You know you're from Maine when you crave ham italian sandwiches at least once a week!'
I've tried that RC Edge cola. It's good stuff! And the 20 oz bottles of it can usually be purchased inexpensively, like two of said bottles for $0.89, I've not seen it available in the 2L bottles. 
For sandwiches though, I prefer Subway to Amato's, but in general I like Amato's better, Sam's is just...well, blah. I've never really cared for Sam's. And there are three or four Sam's locations in this area, three Subway locations as well, but only one Amato's. 
~Gracia
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In some cultures, what I do is considered normal.
I've only been here for a week but I can feel my arteries hardening already! 
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Better Projection Pays!
Mr. Tom,
I like Subway a lot also, but the only reason for that is because it is at most 200 yards away from my theater. But Amatoes sure does have a great Calzone! I have never heard of Clam flavored Humpty Dumpty potato chips sounds good though!
Jolt Cola usualy gets me hyper, but I dont see that all that much up here. That could be a southern thing, but I am not sure.
Joe
It's on I-75, just south of the Tennessee / Kentucky state line, in a town called "Jellico".
It's called BUCKNER'S TROUGH!
Stuffed deer heads on the wall and everything. The ribs were fallin'-off-the-bone tender! The sauce was good but it was 'vinegar-y'. Haven't had that kind before. I'll have to try it again.
But, talk about LOCAL COLOR!!!
...And no, I do not call myself a true Mainer. No one truely from Maine ever calls themself a 'Mainer' as it is what people from away call us.
I call myself a Maine-iac.
Joe -
Believe me, I know what Moxie Fest is. I grew up in Bowdoin, which is right up the road from Lisbon Falls.
...And I think that we have met, albeit only briefly. But such is the way of things working for a small chain, at different locations!
~Gracia
How do you pronounce these names?
1) "Bowdoin"
2) "Worcester"
3) "Peabody"
If you're not from N.E. you'll probably fail miserably!
1) "Bowd'n"
2) "Woostah"
3) "Peeb'dy"
Cheese & Onion - mmm - I like em!
Ketchup - mmm - sounds weirds, tastes good
Clam (or perhaps its Cream Cheese & Clam) - mmm - eliminates the need for clam dip! Be brave, try them!
There are others, but for the most part its the same old same old, salt & vinegar, sour cream, bbq...
I like bbq chips well enough, but the salt & vinegar, and the sour cream, to me, are just plain nasty!
But if you take your potato chip munching seriously, track down either Maine Coast or Cape Cod chips - they're kettle cooked! mm mm mm Thick & crunchy.
~Gracia
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In some cultures, what I do is considered normal.
>Brother Dave Gardner says you gotta have an RC Cola to go with those Moon Pies <
This is another topic entirely, but I am always amazed when someone mentions the late, great Brother Dave Gardner, one of the finest comedians to have ever lived! I guess he kind of fits with the topic of southern food because he was southern food for the soul. But so FEW people even know who he was.
Oscar
quote:
It's on I-75, just south of the Tennessee / Kentucky state line, in a town called "Jellico".
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Better Projection Pays!
quote:
What else is there? You know, those things that you are required to eat al least once.
Dickie's BBQ, in Dallas (Ummmmmm-UMM!)
The Blackeyed Pea Restaurants, throughout TX, OK, et.al.. (I REALLY miss this place!)
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Better Projection Pays!
I pulled off to get gas and a little chow. There was a Wendy's right next to the Amoco gas station. I was going to go there but I asked the girl at the counter if there was any good local joint to eat at. She told me how to get there. It was only a mile or so.
Just go left at the exit and it's just a little way down the road on the left. It's got a wooden deck/porch on the front. Not too hard to spot.
When I go up that way again, past "Stinking Creek Road" and on into Jellico I'll stop again.