A Major Hotspot

Constructed in 1912, the West Side Market in Cleveland, Ohio has been carefully protected and remodeled to make it functional and enjoyable in the 21st century. It’s full of interesting food stands that show off the best of both Cleveland’s local cuisine as well as other treats from around the world.

Featuring nearly 200 food stands, you will find anything that you might need there. Butchers sell local meat products, florists sell flowers, farmers sell locally-grown and sourced produce, and an eclectic variety of vendors sell all kinds of ready-to-eat food dishes as well.

Cleveland, as a bastion of immigration, has always had a food scene that revolves around influences from places such as Germany, Poland, Russia, Italy, West Africa, and other foreign lands. All of these are on display at the West Side Market. The next time you take a trip to Cleveland, don’t hesitate and run to check out this American foodie mecca.

The post Cleveland’s West Side Market is a Foodie Paradise appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

St. Louis is the home of one of the strangest regional favorites in the United States, fried ravioli. And yes, fried ravioli is exactly what you think it is—the Italian pasta favorite which has then been deep fried.

Charlie Gitto’s and Mary’s on the Hill, two classic Gateway City Italian joints located in The Hill, the city’s classic Italian neighborhood, claim to be the restaurant that came up with this strange creation in the 1940s.

What’s for sure is that this dish is uniquely American. Adapting ravioli to the American palate, which loves fried things, makes this dish a creation that would probably only become popular in the United States.

Commonly served topped with Parmesan cheese and Marinara sauce for dipping, fried ravioli remains a favorite to this day in St. Louis.

So, if you find yourself passing through St. Louis in the future, be sure to order up a plate of fried ravioli and try this weird favorite yourself!

The post Fried Ravioli is a Strange St. Louis Favorite appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Check out these classic tailgate foods which are beloved by fans all over the country.

Barbecue Ribs

A definite tailgate favorite is smoking a few racks of barbecue ribs, a process that takes hours and that must be started bright and early on game day! Fans are known to put regional twists on the dish by choosing specific sauces and dry rubs.

Hamburgers

Nothing is more classic to eat at a tailgate than a hamburger! Burgers are fast, easy to make, and a real crowd-pleaser. What’s even better is that everyone can add the condiments and toppings that they prefer, making them totally customizable.

Sausages

Take a trip to the Midwest of the United States and you’ll probably find bratwurst, kielbasa, and Italian sausages sizzling on grills. The region’s Central and Eastern European immigrant tradition has definitely affected the tailgating foods enjoyed by fans of teams like the Green Bay Packers.

The post Classic Tailgate Foods for the NFL Playoffs appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Real Pittsburghers know, however, that the real king of Pittsburgh gastronomy is Primanti Brothers, which makes one of the most unique sandwiches that you’ll find anywhere.

Primanti’s is a Pittsburgh institution that was born in 1933 during the peak of the Great Depression. Workers were looking for a cheap and filling meal, and Joe Primanti and his brothers began selling this packed sandwich in order to fulfill that desire.

These sandwiches can have different meats and cheeses, but what makes them unique is the addition of two unique ingredients: french fries and coleslaw.

Outside of the fries and slaw, all Primanti’s sandwiches also contain thick Italian bread as well as tomato slices. From there, guests have a wide variety of sandwich options to choose from, incorporating a wide variety of grilled meats and cheeses.

The result is a truly massive sandwich that is unmatched anywhere else on Earth in terms of its legend and uniqueness. Would you give one a try?

The post Pittsburgh’s Most Iconic Dish? It’s This One-of-a-Kind Sandwich appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Before football games, whether played at the collegiate or professional level, a time-honored tradition in this North American country is to meet up with friends to drink and eat before kickoff. This beloved ritual is known as tailgating.

The quirky name for this tradition comes from the back part of vehicles, which are typically gathered into a circle and opened in order to prepare and serve food and drinks.

Fans often meet up hours before the start of the game to break out their grills and begin preparing traditional dishes such as grilled chicken, barbecue pork, and hamburgers before the event begins.

Tailgaters usually enjoy typical pre-game beverages as well. Beer is a favorite, with old favorites like Coors Light and Budweiser gradually being mixed with and replaced by craft beers from microbreweries throughout the country. Liquor and mixed drinks are often seen as well, with whiskey-based cocktails being a tailgate favorite.

This social event and food feast is undoubtedly one of the United States’ most interesting culinary traditions. If you ever find yourself in America and have the opportunity to attend a tailgate, don’t pass it up!

The post Tailgating is One of America’s Best Food Traditions appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are a few foods that you must try if you find yourself at a baseball game this summer in order to have the quintessential experience.

Cracker Jack

You might not be familiar with Cracker Jack if you’ve never been to a baseball game, and that’s okay. This snack combines caramel-covered popcorn and peanuts, the perfect sweet and salty treat.

Soft Pretzel

What would a night at the ballgame be without a soft pretzel? These warm, doughy delights are perfect when topped with a generous dose of kosher salt and when dipped in mustard.

Hot Dog

Ah, the hot dog. There are endless varieties of sausages that you can buy at a baseball stadium, including Italian sausages and brats, but a classic ballpark hot dog with mustard and ketchup is about as typical as it gets.

Beer

Well, you have to have something to quench your thirst and cool you down on a hot summer day! Ballparks these days typically offer classic suds like Budweiser and Coors Light as well as local craft offerings.

The post You Need to Try These Classic Ballpark Snacks appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Cafe Jack, located in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, is just this. The Asian fusion restaurant, which serves Asian staples such as sushi and Ramen noodles, isn’t just about Far East cuisine.

Instead, it offers customers a dining experience inside of a faux ship that is decorated from walls to ceilings with memorabilia and paraphernalia related to the classic movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

In addition to dining in what is essentially a faux ship, you can also sample flavors from all kinds of Asian countries here. This restaurant features food from Malaysia, China, India, Japan, and Thailand.

There’s truly a dish for everyone here.

Los Angeles can be an expensive city, especially for those who don’t live there. Believe it or not, however, Cafe Jack offers delicious food at affordable prices!

If you’re looking for a quirky restaurant to eat at while you’re visiting LA, Cafe Jack is an unbeatable option. You’ll certainly never forget your meal here.

The post You Can Visit a “Titanic” Themed Restaurant in LA appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This food, which we’ll call Spanish ham, is one of the most sought-after and expensive food products in the world. It is a cured meat, but it’s a cured meat unlike any other you might have had before.

The pigs that are used to make Spanish ham live naturally in prairies, and they eat a free-range diet of acorns. This fattens them up, and creates an exquisitely delicious meat. Just one leg of this Spanish ham can set you back almost $1,000.

Due to the relative difficulty of acquiring Spanish ham in the United States and outside of Spain, a group of American farmers in the state of Georgia are trying to make their own version of the delicacy.

This farm, called White Oak Pastures, is located in the south of Georgia. The farmers there purchased the Iberian pigs that are used to make the “real thing” and are now attempting to recreate the product in the United States.

These pigs won’t eat the traditional diet of acorns, however, as they don’t grow in the geographical region where the pigs are being raised. Instead, they eat a mixed diet of pecans and peanuts.

While it isn’t exactly like the “real thing,” the Spanish ham produced by White Oak Pastures are aged just like the real thing and are supposed to be delicious.

The post Farmers in the United States are Attempting to Recreate Spanish Ham appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Made from fermented grapes, this alcoholic beverage is one of the most beloved drinks in the world. Its presence has been noted in human societies for over 9000 years.

Let’s take a look at the five countries that produce the highest volume of wine on an annual basis.

Italy

It probably won’t surprise you that Italy is the world’s top wine producer. Regions such as Tuscany, home of delicious reds, and Veneto, which is where Prosecco comes from.

France

France comes in at number 2 on the list, just behind Italy. France is known for an array of wine varieties, including the world famous Champagne white grape as well as the reds that come from Bordeaux.

Spain

The third highest-producing wine country in the world is another European country. Spanish wine encompasses an array of flavors, ranging from the dry, citrusy whites of the Rias Baixas to the Tempranillo-heavy reds of La Rioja.

United States

The only country in the Western Hemisphere on the list is the United States. 90% of the USA’s wine comes from California, which should be no surprise.

Australia

Finally, Australia takes the fifth spot on our list. The only country in the Southern Hemisphere in the top five, the land down under produces more white than red wine, but includes the Shiraz varietal as one of its major successes.

The post These 5 Countries Produce the Most Wine in the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

The Heart Attack Grill, located in the heart of the city’s downtown, serves calorie-laden meals served in an appropriately hospital-themed space.

The restaurant, which opened in 2005, serves unhealthy foods and lets customers know about it. Why is this? The waiters and waitresses dress like doctors and nurses, wine is served out of an IV bag, and condiments are served out of containers meant to resemble pill bottles.

This restaurant is the subject of controversy. People have accused the Heart Attack Grill of selling excessively unhealthy foods. As proof, one of its burgers contains a whopping 8 beef patties and almost 10,000 calories.

Nonetheless, you can eat at Las Vegas´s most infamous restaurant and limit yourself, as they serve more conventional fare as well.

Despite the controversy, diners that go for a meal at the Heart Attack Grill generally leave with a story to tell. This restaurant’s wacky decor and theme makes for an unforgettable experience and story.

Is this restaurant interesting, or too creepy for you? It depends on your tastes, but if you are looking for a good hamburger and you aren’t afraid to be reminded that it isn’t the most healthy fare, this might be the restaurant for you.

The post Would You Eat at this Hospital-Themed Restaurant? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

A Major Hotspot

Constructed in 1912, the West Side Market in Cleveland, Ohio has been carefully protected and remodeled to make it functional and enjoyable in the 21st century. It’s full of interesting food stands that show off the best of both Cleveland’s local cuisine as well as other treats from around the world.

Featuring nearly 200 food stands, you will find anything that you might need there. Butchers sell local meat products, florists sell flowers, farmers sell locally-grown and sourced produce, and an eclectic variety of vendors sell all kinds of ready-to-eat food dishes as well.

Cleveland, as a bastion of immigration, has always had a food scene that revolves around influences from places such as Germany, Poland, Russia, Italy, West Africa, and other foreign lands. All of these are on display at the West Side Market. The next time you take a trip to Cleveland, don’t hesitate and run to check out this American foodie mecca.

The post Cleveland’s West Side Market is a Foodie Paradise appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

St. Louis is the home of one of the strangest regional favorites in the United States, fried ravioli. And yes, fried ravioli is exactly what you think it is—the Italian pasta favorite which has then been deep fried.

Charlie Gitto’s and Mary’s on the Hill, two classic Gateway City Italian joints located in The Hill, the city’s classic Italian neighborhood, claim to be the restaurant that came up with this strange creation in the 1940s.

What’s for sure is that this dish is uniquely American. Adapting ravioli to the American palate, which loves fried things, makes this dish a creation that would probably only become popular in the United States.

Commonly served topped with Parmesan cheese and Marinara sauce for dipping, fried ravioli remains a favorite to this day in St. Louis.

So, if you find yourself passing through St. Louis in the future, be sure to order up a plate of fried ravioli and try this weird favorite yourself!

The post Fried Ravioli is a Strange St. Louis Favorite appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Check out these classic tailgate foods which are beloved by fans all over the country.

Barbecue Ribs

A definite tailgate favorite is smoking a few racks of barbecue ribs, a process that takes hours and that must be started bright and early on game day! Fans are known to put regional twists on the dish by choosing specific sauces and dry rubs.

Hamburgers

Nothing is more classic to eat at a tailgate than a hamburger! Burgers are fast, easy to make, and a real crowd-pleaser. What’s even better is that everyone can add the condiments and toppings that they prefer, making them totally customizable.

Sausages

Take a trip to the Midwest of the United States and you’ll probably find bratwurst, kielbasa, and Italian sausages sizzling on grills. The region’s Central and Eastern European immigrant tradition has definitely affected the tailgating foods enjoyed by fans of teams like the Green Bay Packers.

The post Classic Tailgate Foods for the NFL Playoffs appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Real Pittsburghers know, however, that the real king of Pittsburgh gastronomy is Primanti Brothers, which makes one of the most unique sandwiches that you’ll find anywhere.

Primanti’s is a Pittsburgh institution that was born in 1933 during the peak of the Great Depression. Workers were looking for a cheap and filling meal, and Joe Primanti and his brothers began selling this packed sandwich in order to fulfill that desire.

These sandwiches can have different meats and cheeses, but what makes them unique is the addition of two unique ingredients: french fries and coleslaw.

Outside of the fries and slaw, all Primanti’s sandwiches also contain thick Italian bread as well as tomato slices. From there, guests have a wide variety of sandwich options to choose from, incorporating a wide variety of grilled meats and cheeses.

The result is a truly massive sandwich that is unmatched anywhere else on Earth in terms of its legend and uniqueness. Would you give one a try?

The post Pittsburgh’s Most Iconic Dish? It’s This One-of-a-Kind Sandwich appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Before football games, whether played at the collegiate or professional level, a time-honored tradition in this North American country is to meet up with friends to drink and eat before kickoff. This beloved ritual is known as tailgating.

The quirky name for this tradition comes from the back part of vehicles, which are typically gathered into a circle and opened in order to prepare and serve food and drinks.

Fans often meet up hours before the start of the game to break out their grills and begin preparing traditional dishes such as grilled chicken, barbecue pork, and hamburgers before the event begins.

Tailgaters usually enjoy typical pre-game beverages as well. Beer is a favorite, with old favorites like Coors Light and Budweiser gradually being mixed with and replaced by craft beers from microbreweries throughout the country. Liquor and mixed drinks are often seen as well, with whiskey-based cocktails being a tailgate favorite.

This social event and food feast is undoubtedly one of the United States’ most interesting culinary traditions. If you ever find yourself in America and have the opportunity to attend a tailgate, don’t pass it up!

The post Tailgating is One of America’s Best Food Traditions appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are a few foods that you must try if you find yourself at a baseball game this summer in order to have the quintessential experience.

Cracker Jack

You might not be familiar with Cracker Jack if you’ve never been to a baseball game, and that’s okay. This snack combines caramel-covered popcorn and peanuts, the perfect sweet and salty treat.

Soft Pretzel

What would a night at the ballgame be without a soft pretzel? These warm, doughy delights are perfect when topped with a generous dose of kosher salt and when dipped in mustard.

Hot Dog

Ah, the hot dog. There are endless varieties of sausages that you can buy at a baseball stadium, including Italian sausages and brats, but a classic ballpark hot dog with mustard and ketchup is about as typical as it gets.

Beer

Well, you have to have something to quench your thirst and cool you down on a hot summer day! Ballparks these days typically offer classic suds like Budweiser and Coors Light as well as local craft offerings.

The post You Need to Try These Classic Ballpark Snacks appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Cafe Jack, located in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, is just this. The Asian fusion restaurant, which serves Asian staples such as sushi and Ramen noodles, isn’t just about Far East cuisine.

Instead, it offers customers a dining experience inside of a faux ship that is decorated from walls to ceilings with memorabilia and paraphernalia related to the classic movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

In addition to dining in what is essentially a faux ship, you can also sample flavors from all kinds of Asian countries here. This restaurant features food from Malaysia, China, India, Japan, and Thailand.

There’s truly a dish for everyone here.

Los Angeles can be an expensive city, especially for those who don’t live there. Believe it or not, however, Cafe Jack offers delicious food at affordable prices!

If you’re looking for a quirky restaurant to eat at while you’re visiting LA, Cafe Jack is an unbeatable option. You’ll certainly never forget your meal here.

The post You Can Visit a “Titanic” Themed Restaurant in LA appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This food, which we’ll call Spanish ham, is one of the most sought-after and expensive food products in the world. It is a cured meat, but it’s a cured meat unlike any other you might have had before.

The pigs that are used to make Spanish ham live naturally in prairies, and they eat a free-range diet of acorns. This fattens them up, and creates an exquisitely delicious meat. Just one leg of this Spanish ham can set you back almost $1,000.

Due to the relative difficulty of acquiring Spanish ham in the United States and outside of Spain, a group of American farmers in the state of Georgia are trying to make their own version of the delicacy.

This farm, called White Oak Pastures, is located in the south of Georgia. The farmers there purchased the Iberian pigs that are used to make the “real thing” and are now attempting to recreate the product in the United States.

These pigs won’t eat the traditional diet of acorns, however, as they don’t grow in the geographical region where the pigs are being raised. Instead, they eat a mixed diet of pecans and peanuts.

While it isn’t exactly like the “real thing,” the Spanish ham produced by White Oak Pastures are aged just like the real thing and are supposed to be delicious.

The post Farmers in the United States are Attempting to Recreate Spanish Ham appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Made from fermented grapes, this alcoholic beverage is one of the most beloved drinks in the world. Its presence has been noted in human societies for over 9000 years.

Let’s take a look at the five countries that produce the highest volume of wine on an annual basis.

Italy

It probably won’t surprise you that Italy is the world’s top wine producer. Regions such as Tuscany, home of delicious reds, and Veneto, which is where Prosecco comes from.

France

France comes in at number 2 on the list, just behind Italy. France is known for an array of wine varieties, including the world famous Champagne white grape as well as the reds that come from Bordeaux.

Spain

The third highest-producing wine country in the world is another European country. Spanish wine encompasses an array of flavors, ranging from the dry, citrusy whites of the Rias Baixas to the Tempranillo-heavy reds of La Rioja.

United States

The only country in the Western Hemisphere on the list is the United States. 90% of the USA’s wine comes from California, which should be no surprise.

Australia

Finally, Australia takes the fifth spot on our list. The only country in the Southern Hemisphere in the top five, the land down under produces more white than red wine, but includes the Shiraz varietal as one of its major successes.

The post These 5 Countries Produce the Most Wine in the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

The Heart Attack Grill, located in the heart of the city’s downtown, serves calorie-laden meals served in an appropriately hospital-themed space.

The restaurant, which opened in 2005, serves unhealthy foods and lets customers know about it. Why is this? The waiters and waitresses dress like doctors and nurses, wine is served out of an IV bag, and condiments are served out of containers meant to resemble pill bottles.

This restaurant is the subject of controversy. People have accused the Heart Attack Grill of selling excessively unhealthy foods. As proof, one of its burgers contains a whopping 8 beef patties and almost 10,000 calories.

Nonetheless, you can eat at Las Vegas´s most infamous restaurant and limit yourself, as they serve more conventional fare as well.

Despite the controversy, diners that go for a meal at the Heart Attack Grill generally leave with a story to tell. This restaurant’s wacky decor and theme makes for an unforgettable experience and story.

Is this restaurant interesting, or too creepy for you? It depends on your tastes, but if you are looking for a good hamburger and you aren’t afraid to be reminded that it isn’t the most healthy fare, this might be the restaurant for you.

The post Would You Eat at this Hospital-Themed Restaurant? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.