This list has been all over the internet. I had to pile on to the heap.
Very Good Taste, a food blog in the UK, put together a list of 100 foods they think every omnivore should try before they die.
This is how it works: you copy and paste the list into your blog, bold things you have tried, cross out the things you would never let pass your lips, and then tally up and discuss.
Here is how I did, with my thoughts below:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
———————–
So, I suck..only 50 of the 100 have been eaten by yours truly. I need to get on the stick. How have I NOT had bagel and lox? I went to GW, for Christ sake; I am more Jewish than half the Jews I know.
Also, if there is anyone out there who would like to treat me to a tasting menu at a three star restaurant, I am ALL YOURS.
Things I was pleased to see on the list: pistachio ice cream (probably my favorite flavor, though it is a tough call), Hostess fruit pies (Holla!), sweetbreads (fried, please) and Pho (soup of the Gods).
One last observation: This is clearly a list created by a Brit, as evidenced by all the curry. If this originated in the states, I am guessing the list would look a bit different. I am imagining regional cuisine/treats such as King Cake, BBQ Brisket and Mexican (fish tacos?) would be on here.
Alrighty, friends. Share your thoughts below. I am especially curious to hear what you think would be included if this was a list compiled by an American.
And if you are especially in the mood to take orders today, get thee to So Good and read about what kind of food travesty I subjected myself to this week.
9:24 am on September 10th, 2008
What an amazing coincidence … after reading about it in another forum I took the test last night, and my score was exactly the same as yours – 50 out of 100! Seriously.
We are soul mates, Peter! Were you surprised with your results?
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9:29 am on September 10th, 2008
[...] http://lemmonex.com/2008/09/10/vegetaria…; [...]
9:33 am on September 10th, 2008
Definitely some BBQ- Eastern Carolina vinegary and the sweeter, smoky style. And everyone should have a pig pickin’ at least once.
AND, a Fenway Frank.
Fenway frank! How could I forget that? Good call.
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9:50 am on September 10th, 2008
Uh… does it count if you accidentally swallowed a sizable insect? I mean, you didn’t do it for the express purpose of eating it, but you were talking and it flew in and… well…
Hmm, maybe a stretch. I once swallowed a horsefly…but I didn’t count it.
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10:05 am on September 10th, 2008
…what if it was a mayfly?
Nope. Still doesn’t count.
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10:16 am on September 10th, 2008
New York Pizza – and the BBQ from NC -
Yes, pizza was a glaring omission. I am sure some people would argue Chicago pizza, but I am with you on NY style.
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10:16 am on September 10th, 2008
I have tried 61 things on the list. Hell yeah Fish Tacos would be on the list. I would even venture to say a Muffuletta sandwich should also appear on the American list. We really should compile an American list, because there were things on there that should not be tried by anyone.
I know, comparing an American list would be great. Kind of what I was thinking. I agree re: mufletta.
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10:19 am on September 10th, 2008
I’ve had 90 items on that list. I hope I’m not on my way to checking out.
90! You are my hero. Good on ya.
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10:30 am on September 10th, 2008
I got 54, 55 if you could count Restaurant Eve’s Tasting Menu as a 3 star Michelin Restaurant.
However, they left out Ostrich meat which I’ve also eaten, and random animal body parts like chicken hearts and chinchulin (both commonly eaten in S. America).
I totally count Eve’s. I have never had ostrich meat…I am always tempted at Fudruckers.
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10:41 am on September 10th, 2008
DC bias – a half smoke. BBQ bias – give me Memphis, but I think that it should be included along side NC, Texas, and Southern Style BBQ. And as you know I scored an 80.
You have put me to shame. I am really embarassed about some of these.
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10:45 am on September 10th, 2008
If this was an American list Black pudding would not be on it. shudder. i’m good with never trying it again.
Apple pie? sushi?
Apple pie for sure. I am definitely posting an American list.
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10:46 am on September 10th, 2008
Okay, here is a short compiling for the American list:
(I had some time on my hands in the office today)
Beef wellington
Mufletta
Fish tacos
Paella
Jim beam
Nathan’s hot dog (Kosher of course)
Alligator
Crawfish
Duck a’l orange
Saffron rice
Fresh ground wasabi
Grape Kool-Aid
Kona Coffee
Kettle cooked salt and vinegar chips
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles (Scoe’s #2)
Pickled garlic
White Truffle
Cypress Grove’s Purple Haze Chev re Cheese
Porchini Mushrooms
Ackee and Saltfish
Mint Milano cookies
These are all really good… God, I adore salt and vinegar chips.
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11:16 am on September 10th, 2008
I scored 57. I’m ashamed to note that my dad goes by Skeeter, and yet I have NOT eaten roadkill.
Frog legs taste like chicken. They really do! And now I want one of those bug tacos from Oyamel – who’s going with me?
Your dad goes by Skeeter?! That makes me like you even more.
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11:29 am on September 10th, 2008
Oh yeah I have only had 16 off that list – I am allergic to most of that list.
16! Wow. You must have a ton of allergies. That stinks.
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11:30 am on September 10th, 2008
I love that NONE of these are crossed out on your list! Very you.
Thanks…you have to be open minded. That being said, I don’t know if I would LOVE roadkill, but I will try it.
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11:32 am on September 10th, 2008
In West Virginia, it’s legal to eat roadkill just as long as you’re the one that ran it over.
Are you for serious? I am very gullible…
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11:32 am on September 10th, 2008
I just walked in the office so I haven’t compiled my number yet, but I’m more impressed by the fact you crossed nothing off. Good on ya.
There are people in the world who watched Anthony Bourdain eat a still beating cobra heart and gagged. And there are people in the world who watched it and said: “I’d try that.” I’m definitely in the later category. I’m more impressed by people’s willingness to try new things than rave about how good the French Laundry is.
Bourdain eating the heart is legendary. I would do it, but I will not pretend I would be a tad nervous. We have just been programmed to think some things are really gross.
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11:38 am on September 10th, 2008
I was impressed that an otherwise obviously British list included both peanut butter and root beer float. What’s with these ferners not liking the pb and the root beer?
Jambalaya should be on an American list.
Agreed re jambalaya.
Also, I drink root beer from time to time, but it was my mixer the first time I ever got drunk. It has some bad connotations.
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11:39 am on September 10th, 2008
61.
I had roadkill at a buddies ranch in south texas. It was a freshly hit deer and he carved it and braised the saddle. Gamey.
I think any American list should include things like scrapple. BBQ’d goat and squirrel.
I have had venison…kinda gamey, I agree.
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11:40 am on September 10th, 2008
Is Pocky the Japanese candy? If so, they’ve some at my local mini-mart. I’m picking you up a package.
I think you should have to eat head cheese for the So Good blog.
Can I buy headcheese at a normal, non specialty store?
And yep, pocky is the Japanese candy.
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11:56 am on September 10th, 2008
Wait you went to GW? When did you graduate??? (i’m an 05 alum)
‘03, baby. Hail to the buff and blue!
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11:57 am on September 10th, 2008
I think you can buy either head cheese or souse at Eastern Market at Canales Deli. I think.
Hmmm…ok. I may have to consider that, though it is being a bit flexible with my rule.
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12:00 pm on September 10th, 2008
hmm I’m doing pretty well – 68 of them…. and there were at least 15 or so I had never heard of. As for things to add….
Jambalaya
frostie from Wendy’s
a bialy
pierogies
Chili
Buffalo Oysters
Meat and 3
Oh, how I love pierogis. They remind me of my great grandparents. (Fact of the day: I am named after my great grandfather…)
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12:04 pm on September 10th, 2008
kettle corn. krispy kreme. buttermilk biscuits!(i’m going for allliteration here obviously.) fro-yo. roy rogers and/or kfc.
I saw a recipe the other day for Krispy Kreme bread pudding. All I have to say is Thank the LORD it is healthy cooking month here, because I would make the stuff in a hot second.
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12:09 pm on September 10th, 2008
Snake should totally be on the American list. And pickeled trotters.
Oh, I have never had those. I eyed the pigs feet in the store this week though.
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12:26 pm on September 10th, 2008
Second the chili addition.
I definitely agree.
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12:46 pm on September 10th, 2008
Speaking of chili, Red Sage used to have the best steak and black bean chili at their takeout window on F street, but they closed a couple of years ago. Any suggestions on an alternative?
Steak and black bean chili? No. I am probably not the best person to ask about chili. While I like it, I tend to make it at home. I did have it at Booeymonger once and it was damn serviceable. I have also heard it is good at Tonic. Ben’s? Meh. If I am drunk, give me one of their milkshakes, please.
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1:13 pm on September 10th, 2008
Hm. I’ve had alligator (a couple of times), but not crocodile. Would that count?
I don’t think Steve Irwin would allow it, may he rest in peace.
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1:44 pm on September 10th, 2008
lemmonex! you need to go get a bagel and lox TODAY!
I know. I honestly have no idea how this happened. I am full of shame.
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2:21 pm on September 10th, 2008
All mine? Uh, be right over!
I will be waiting!
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2:55 pm on September 10th, 2008
He’s single, love! And in good shape! Buy the book.
FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin (AP) — Talk about a Big Mac attack. Don Gorske says he has eaten 23,000 of the burgers in 36 years.
Don Gorske says he’s skipped eating Big Macs only eight days in 36 years.
The Fond du Lac man said he hit the 23,000 milestone last month, continuing a culinary obsession that began May 17, 1972, and is fed by his obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“I enjoy them every day,” said Gorske, 54. “I need two to fill me up.”
Gorske has kept every burger receipt in a box. He says he was always fascinated with numbers, and watching McDonald’s track its number of customers motivated him to track his own consumption.
Despite a diet some would call unhealthy, Gorske says he keeps himself in good shape. He says he’s 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds, and walks as many as 10 miles a day.
He used to order fries every day in the 1980s but began to cut back in the ’90s, now eating them about once a month. He eats two Big Macs and two parfaits a day. Gorske has written a book about his experience.
He may be in good “shape”, but I am sure he reeks of McD’s. Also, he was in “Supersize Me” and I can attest he is NOT a looker.
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4:09 pm on September 10th, 2008
Ah that’s because the bagels/lox thing is best tasted in NJ or NY…where there are real bagels and lox.
Come and visit and I’ll hook it up for you.
Bagels and Kassy? Best. Visit. EVER.
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7:58 pm on September 10th, 2008
only 35….i have some eating to do. although something else that isn’t on the list that i have eaten is cactus.
Well, you are also young…. how did the cactus go down?
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10:12 pm on September 10th, 2008
Sorry to be a bit off-topic, but Lemmonex, if you have any plans to move to New York here’s a deal you might like, via Eater:
Wanted: a roommate who pays rent in cookies: “The rent is $1 per month, utilities included, as long as you bake me fifty (50) tasty cookies every day by 6 p.m. If you have not completed this task by 6 p.m., I will pour vinegar on all your belongings, throw them into the street, and have the locks changed…I will decide the specific type of cookie the day before and will submit my preference in writing…” [Craigslist]
I saw this! Alas, I am quite happy in DC…no daily cookie baking in my future.
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11:02 pm on September 10th, 2008
New England Clam Chowda! Johnny cakes?
What the snark is King Cake? Is it made out of Kings? Tasty, tasty kings? Mmmmm KINGS.
King cake is delicious. It is a traditional cake, almost like a cinnamon roll, that has a plastic baby hidden in it…it is served in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
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9:01 am on September 11th, 2008
[...] by yesterday’s posting on the “Omnivore’s 100“, I have pulled together a list of quintessentially American foods every God fearing, flag [...]