Good thread. Just stumbled on to it.
I think it's a rule that EVERYBODY'S grandmother was the best cook ever!!!
What I haven't seen on the thread however, is the "wierd" stuff from around the world. Here's my contribution:
1962 - Tipton County, TN - Hog Nut Dumplings (for real!)
1967 - Philippines - Monkey on a spit
1967 - Philippines - Fried Dog - cut up like an 8-pc chicken
1968 - Korea - Dog Stew
1968 - Korea - Cat Stew
1975 - Spain - Don't remember the Spanish spelling but it is pronounced Kreeya Deeya. My friends took me to a Tapas bar outside the Plaza de Toros in Puerto de Santa Maria one Sunday evening and ordered these for me. Looked like sliced Chorizo sausage. They were the bull's nuts from the bull fights that day. Damn, I'll never forget that!!!
1997 - Hong Kong - Raw Shark filet
1997 - Hong Kong - Bird's Nest Soup
1997 - Hong Kong - Sharkfin Soup
1997 - Hong Kong - Hummingbird Tongues
Just a few of the more memorable ones...
This is for all Texas Freepers.
In 1976, I was sent to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX to audit a cryptographics course. My hosts took me to a restaurant called "John Zentner's Daughter." Anybody ever heard of it?
Their specialty was a top sirloin served on a 22" platter. It literally hung over the sides. It was slathered in this dynamite garlic-butter sauce. The placemat was the "doggie bag." The waitress said that I would definetly need it. The tossed salad was an entire head of lettuce carved out, tossed, and put back in the head. Endless pitchers of sweet iced tea were included. I think the whole bill was like $15 bucks. One of the most memorable meals I've ever eaten.
I've often wondered if that restaurant was still open. Other than that experience, San Angelo was pretty much blah...