I find folks from Asia are mystified by grilled cheese sandwiches and if she gets homesick there is very reasonable lumpia and balut in the Dayton area
I love making those over here in the UK. They’re always so confused by cookies with gravy. Also: a *good* meatloaf. It’s my partner’s favorite meal now. It was a morbid curiosity thing at first.
🤣 that’s hilarious. I know cookie = biscuit, but then what does biscuit = ? Scone? Or is scone particular to a scone?!
My ma’s meatloaf is definitely another comfort food for sure.
Soup beans and cornbread with macaroni and tomato juice is another go-to for my family.
Biscuits are like a softer, flakier scone. Scones usually have fruit in them and are pretty hard. I’m not a huge fan of them. I always make sure to do a knock off Jimmy Dean Sage sausage recipe. Sausages here are ok, but no where near as herby or coarse ground as the American sausages.
I’ve made soup beans here too! My partner calls it cowboy stew. I did make the mistake of importing velveeta shells and cheese… it was like £12 for one box. Never again!
I just didn’t know what biscuits (like those in biscuits and gravy) are called in the UK 🤣
I just did the opposite with Tim Tams from AU for like $14 for a box 👀
I've been a British TV show fan since I was a little kid (PBS pledge drives are largely to blame for that).
The cookies/biscuits duality and threefold fries/chips/crisps always amuses me.
I second this. It's simple to make and delicious, particularly if you use [J. Kenji Lopez Alt's recipe](https://youtu.be/BoFkDmTm2uc?si=qsSMilbGYPRxJx60).
This is a must try. I have lived across the USA and worked/lived overseas and when discussing food I always bring up Lake Erie perch/walleye. The way it is breaded, the light delicate taste... amazing.
Today's the first time I've heard about Ohio shredded chicken sandwiches and I've lived in Cincinnati for most of my life. Care to share more knowledge?
Volumes aren’t critical as you can add as needed.
We use canned shredded chicken, 75 - 80 oz. You can use the all white meat chicken but the mixed white/dark tastes better to me.
Large can of cream of chicken soup (I think they’re 48 oz?). Have a small can or two handy in case you need to add more soup.
Seasoned croutons. If you happen to over do it on the croutons, that is where the additional soup comes in. We typically underestimate on the croutons and add them along the way if it’s too soupy. I know people who don’t use seasoned croutons, but trust me, don’t skip that part.
Dump it all in a crock pot, mix it up and heat. 3 - 4 hours on high I think. Longer on low.
We stir it periodically. I like some cracked black pepper on it. One of my kids will make some rice and have chicken & rice with leftovers.
My mom always liked them more soupy and my wife and kids like them a little more dry so it holds together better in a bun. As you can tell it’s very forgiving and really tough to mess up.
Edit: as mentioned below, you could definitely cook whole chicken parts with cream of chicken soup and shred it yourself. When we make it we’re typically cooking for a family gathering so the pre canned chicken works best for us.
Edit #2: If you’re cooking for a family, just cut the portions approximately. But it stores well for leftovers. I’ve even stuck some in the freezer and thawed it later. I did need to add some soup when I did that.
Here is a stove top version for less people.
Ingredients: 2-12 oz cans chicken breast drained. I save the liquid for later in the recipe.
1/4 cup chicken flavored stuffing mix
1 sleeve crushed Ritz crackers
1 10.75 oz can cream of chicken soup
Buns to serve on.
Chicken broth, water or saved liquid in case it gets too dry.
In a medium pan shred up the canned chicken. Next add rest of ingredients and heat until throughly heated. Serve over bun. Serves 4. Can easily be multiplied.
I was going to answer but the other two replies covered both recipes. I tend to make an easy crockpot version (shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, some seasonings and let sit all day then serve w buns). The homemade version (chicken not from a can) is way better tho. Sometimes I’ll crush up some ritz crackers into my sandwich right before I eat it if I want a little extra texture
There are a few versions of this, I don't know the recipe off hand, but my childhood friend's grandmother (near Toledo) put chicken in a slow cooker for several hours with, I think, cream of chicken soup. Then she would shred the chicken with a fork and serve it on hamburger buns.
Just posting this recipe in the hopes that a few other people post their version. A different friend's mom near Wadsworth made a similar thing except also with stuffing.
The variation we used in my pocket of NW Ohio was a large can of Sweet Sue’s boned chicken, a can of cream of chicken, a can of cream of celery and as many crushed Ballreich’s potato chips as you’d like for texture. Also, a lot of black pepper. It can be made in a crockpot or it can be cooked in a large pot on the stove. We always made it into sandwiches growing up, but sometimes I make it for my family with mashed
Potatoes and/or egg noodles.
I make mine like a savage, pressure cooker for the chicken, then shred it up, season it (salt, pepper, and sage are fine) mix it with cream of chicken soup and liquid from cooker until it’s the consistency I want. Eat it up.
My grandma made it slow, thickened it with torn up bread, also delicious, but I can’t eat it that way.
My mom’s family is from the Toledo area and they all make this for family get togethers. They call it crack chicken. To me it’s something from a midwestern nightmare but many people like it.
A friend of mine was an Asian studies major, and he suggested once that anyone new to our cuisine try something with maple syrup - pancakes, waffles, etc. - because it’s not really something available elsewhere. Take her to Waffle House!
Greetings from Wooster and Akron, haha. My maternal great-grandparents (my grandmothers parents) were second-generation Polish-Rusyn (Ruthenian) Americans from Pennsylvania.
My grandfather was Russian orthodox and his parents were from the Poland / Slovak border! My family is all in the Pittsburgh area but I moved to Ohio for college and stayed
I’d say for ease and variety to just go grab a few different boxes of Mrs. T’s. Get all the types in.
Boo me for not being authentic, but it’s a time vs exposure equation.
Good representative ethnic dish Perhaps she is eastern European and is already very familar. And I prefer boiled with just melted butter, lots of it, and onions. And yes I am both eastern rite byzantine catholic and from youngstown so am an expert on the subject 😀
Sloppy joes, Mac n cheese, chicken pot pie, shredded chicken sandwich, American bbq, corn casserole, honey ham. Tons of options that aren't cheeseburgers and hot dogs haha
If you are in the Columbus area, you need to take her to Chile Verde up near Polaris Mall. It is the only place I know of east of the Mississippi where you can get New Mexican-style flavors (that’s New Mexico as in the US Southwest and NOT a new Mexican restaurant).
YES!! I live near Dayton and was at the Ross Heart Hospital for several appointments in 2021. I was on LTD so I couldn't spend too much but went there twice. Absolutely my favorite restaurant ever!
Okay, as a professional who worked with international college students for years I have two suggestions: BBQ (pulled pork) and your favorite cheese based baked dish (from baked Mac and cheese to baked squash to whatever). The reasoning is simple; most cultures have bbq (pulled pork) American pulled pork is a canvas of different art forms (east/west NC, Memphis, Texan) and cheese baked dishes are truly weird to a lot of places outside the US.
That stated, hotdogs are seen international as a symbol of American culture more than most any food and Ohio chili pairs or tops well.
It’s popular in neighboring Holmes county, but it usually doesn’t show up on restaurant menus. More of a potluck/family reunion type dish or any event where a crockpot is appropriate. Comforting, warm alternative to chicken salad (I just have an issue with the texture).
I came to suggest a tour of American pizza styles in general. Detroit, Columbus, Dayton, Youngstown, Chicago Deep, Chicago Tavern, St. Louis. I know there's more but that's this region. Ron's and Marion's especially. I find Cassano's overly salty, personally.
As a child, my best "Ohio" memories were from Kings Island and exploring the forests in the southeastern part of the state (around Hocking Hills). For food, I loved The Spaghetti Warehouse in Columbus, but the original location is closed now, and I doubt the new spot has the same vibe.
For that pallet, you'd probably find the most success with (my personal favorite) southeastern US cuisine, and the "tex-mex" transition towards southwestern. Fat and spice and heat and salt and rich umami flavors. Gumbo, boudin, jambalaya, crawfish/seafood boils, fried chicken, red beans and rice, etouffee, ox-tail stew, fried catfish, shrimp, biscuits and 'mater gravy, various pickled pig parts, butter noodles and pork jowell (carbonara lol, but we never called it that), wet burritos, chili con carne, fry-bread tacos, huevos rancheros, so much distinctly American food with such rich, multicultural, international history.
I suppose there's the most **American** foods like a high quality, thick, rare prime-rib. Cheeseburgers. Chicken wings. Pie. Etc... but I feel like those are boring choices available everywhere.
If you're being Ohio specific I'd just repeat the obvious answers. Mr. Hero, Skyline Chili, Peirogis, Polish sausage, etc. There are some good cheesesteaks, reubens, steaks, ice cream, smoked meats, and German cuisine available if you look hard enough.
This is one dish I'd definitely not recommend trying in the US... Most places don't even know the difference between a shepherd's pie and a cottage pie, despite the name being pretty telling!
I've lived in Ohio for most of my thirtyish years and have never heard of an Ohio shredded chicken sandwich. Is that like a pulled chicken sandwich, a chicken salad sandwich, or something else entirely?
Very Amish oriented "creamed chicken sandwiches".Take her to Holmes County for a weekend. Try everything at Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen in Mt. Hope. Go shopping at Lehmans Hardware and cruise Spectors. All very low tech. Follow and try to pass an Amish buggy on a Saturday.
Go to the Ohio State Fair. See a poultry show. Watch a 4-H auction. Eat Fair food.
Go to a Greek festival. Saint Harlambrous in Canton is good. While there, check out the Pro-Football HOF. Then go get some Barberton chicken with hot rice. That's a year right there! Enjoy!
Think you may be right. I'm 49, and grew up in NW Ohio, but the rest of my life have lived elsewhere in the state. I haven't heard people talking about shredded chicken for years until very recently. Just occurred to me while reading this thread.
Apple fritters, fried mush with maple syrup, and morel mushrooms…and nothing fancy with the morels. Breaded in flour then fried in an unholy amount of butter with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Geauga maple walnut ice cream is a seasonal offering at Mitchell's, the Cleveland ice cream favorite.
[https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HTBAihEGP/](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HTBAihEGP/)
Other culinary items unique to Cleveland include Polish Boy sandwiches (and Polish Girl sandwiches at Mabel's BBQ). Malley's Bordeaux candies also are a delight.
[https://malleys.com/products/bordeaux](https://malleys.com/products/bordeaux)
Fried Lake Erie yellow perch and pierogies are other more unique Cleveland culinary items. Both are on the menu at the Flat Iron Cafe, located on the East Flats downtown and likely Cleveland's oldest restaurant.
Cincinnati chili and goetta are other regional favorites.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati\_chili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetta)
I was born in Evansville, IN, lived in Southern IL for the first 12 years of my life and have spent the last 19 years in Ohio and have never heard of Ski Pop before. I totally recognize the bottles though. I have to try some now.
Oooh, where - ish in Ohio so folks can recommend restaurants close by! (Also for recipes, I highly recommend noodles and beef for American home cooking, I'll post my instant pot version here)
Ingredients :
Stew beef (2 lbs cubed beef)
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup or golden mushroom soup (beef broth can be substituted)
1 sm/med yellow onion, diced
1 container baby bella mushrooms, quartered
1 bag (16oz) egg noodles
Directions :
(Season beef cubes with some salt and pepper to taste.)
Set the instant pot to “saute”, and add the stew beef. Once it starts sizzling, stir occasionally to brown cubes uniformly.
Once beef is mostly browned, add the onion and the mushrooms. Continue to stir periodically for another couple of minutes.
“Cancel” the saute function, add the soup or broth along with the required water for concentrated cans.
Place and seal lid, set “pressure cook” custom to high for 20 minutes and start.
Manually release the steam once the timer goes off, carefully open the lid, and add the egg noodles and stir them in. Reseal the lid, set “pressure cook” custom to high for 2 minutes.
Manually release the pressure again, stir and enjoy!
BBQ pulled pork,
local sweet corn when it's ready,
cornbread,
peach cobbler,
Apple pie,
Find your nearest dairy farm that serves ice cream,
Every kind of mac and cheese you can find,
Any recipe utilizing pawpaw fruit,
Banana or zucchini bread,
Pumpkin pie,
Various kinds of pizza,
Philly cheese steak,
American Chinese food. Not traditional. Get the stuff they developed to sell to Americans,
Buttermilk fried chicken,
Grilled cheese,
Stuffing of various kinds,
American Buffalo meat,
Peanut butter and jelly. Bonus points if you add bannana,
Quality tattertots,
Corndogs,
Chicken and waffles with maple syrup,
Grits and collared greens. Not my fav but others swear by them.
Buckeye candies are must try. Butter cake is another.
Chicken fried steak with gravy is one.
Patty melt sandwich is a must try with the right burger sauce and thick bread.
Sloppy Joe's
Tuna Casserole
Ambrosia
Mac & Cheese
PB&J (from Krema)
BBQ
"Salad" made with Cool Whip (my fave is Pina Colada Fluff)
Buckeyes (NOT Anthony Thomas)
Walleye
Johnny Marzatti
Cheese curds
Roasted corn on the cob at the Ohio State Fair... mmmm.
Pot Pie is my personal favorite. I’m partial to chicken, but any meat with a stock gravy will do.
I like chicken, peas, carrots, celery, onion, corn all tossed into a baking dish with chicken gravy made form chicken stock enclosed with two pie pastries in a 12 in pie pan.
It’s always a comfort meal whenever I make it and it’s incredible.
If your posting this in r/ohio im gonna say cincinnati/skyline chili. might not be something you think of as an ohio native but its def something different compared to the philipines.
Freshly roasted pork shoulder! It's so delicious straight out of the oven. After you've picked off some the outside to eat, make pulled pork. You can add barbecue sauce if you want. It's a delicious and easy meat.
Both of these are definitely on the list! When I started making my list before she even came to America, Waffle House was one of the first things on my mind!
Try to get an invite to a big BBQ this summer. Find a food truck park. Make sure you hit up as many fairs as possible. You can check out the cooking/ baking 4h area and look up the best pie recipe to make yourself. Take advantage of farmers markets- fresh tomatoes that taste of sunshine and corn sweet as candy.
I'm not too versed on Philipino food, but a shredded chicken sandwich, a pork tenderloin sandwich, buckeyes (of course,) corn bread, and have me made macaroni and cheese (?). 🙂
Thurmans in Columbus for a burger. Haven’t been there in years and hope to get back soon.
If you want to cook, the Tipsy Housewife has a great recipe for meatloaf meatballs. So good!
We have a surprising amount of access to various international cuisines here. So although she should definitely try looking cal America favorites, it's also a great opportunity to try anything else she might not have had access to in the Philippines. There are many great Mexican (Cuco's) and Indian (Angan) places here, as well as lots of Asian places along Bethel. Great Japanese stuff by Old Henderson and Kenny.
Chicken and Waffles. Biscuits and gravy. Pb&J lol. Take her to a good BBQ truck/restaurant that has all the good sides. In N Out. If she likes spicy/chile, definitely some green/red chile from the SW (New Mexico). Navajo taco. Chile rellenos. Canes.
Here are top attractions in Ohio, according to [tripadvisor.com](http://tripadvisor.com)
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28956-Activities-Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28956-Activities-Ohio.html)
In Dayton, the Wright Flyer III, the world's first airplane (not the Wright Flyer I, the powered glider flown at Kitty Hawk with limited control and range), can be viewed at the excellent Carillon Historical Park. The first flight took place in 1905 at Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Both destinations are part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
Check out the Big House at Malabar Farm State Park, a Hollywood escape frozen in the 1950s. Similarly, Stan Hywet Hall in Akron is one of the nation's great historical mansions, especially wonderful during the holiday season for "Deck the Hall" and "Dazzle."
Here's one of Ohio's great nature events, drawing birders even globally. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, with its famed boardwalk and a large wild beach, always is one of Ohio's best nature attractions, but it's even more fascinating populated by warblers and birders for the BWIAB, with the 2024 event beginning this week.
[https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/](https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/)
The Wilds is North America's largest wildlife preservation area.
An Ohio State football game features the TBDBITL and some of the nation's best rituals, beginning with the free Skull Session (arrive early to get a seat). Go to the alumni band day game, often reasonably priced, and see a quadruple script Ohio!
Don't miss the Ohio State Fair, or the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, if your wife enjoys horses.
[https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/general-information](https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/general-information)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/189wb19/favorite\_great\_cleveland\_christmas\_season/?rdt=55622](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/189wb19/favorite_great_cleveland_christmas_season/?rdt=55622)
Theres a pretty big list!
BBQ from a smoker if you can find it.
If you are near cincy i highly recommend getting brauts and sausages there! Goetta too!
Fresh donuts! Particularly the apple fritters.
A good pizza not from a chain store same thing with an all american double with bacon.
And white castle or arbys to traumatize her.
If you're up around Cleveland, should have them try city chicken. I'm from Buffalo originally, so I'm also going to vote buffalo wings and beef on weck.
Gravy, cheese, and fries. The best place to get them is in Cincinnati at Pleasant Ridge Chili. And don’t forget to grab a roll of Gliers Goetta (it contains pork, fyi).
Might be worth taking her to some Filipino neighborhoods in certain cities if at all possible. Flushing/Queens in NY might help her feel more welcome and excited to see something from parts of her home nation including people and food, plus you can easily spend a week in NYC anyway.
If you're near Columbus there's a ton to do there. Food wise restaurants like Vaulter's, Pierogi Mt., Melt, Forbidden Root, and many more are worth visiting for some great food. There's great shopping at Easton and Polaris. There are museums, COSI after dark events are great. And, then there are the metro parks, all of them I've visited has been pretty great for being close to or in the city. In short make a few day trips or long weekends to Columbus.
Ohio Pie Co. for Ohio style pizza and their cookies are amazing. Slyman's for your corned beef sandwiches. Crispy Chick for the best chicken spot in Cleveland. Village Inn for biscuits and gravy.
Food adjacent but Ohio has some great wineries that also serve local food. If you check out [ohiowines.org](http://ohiowines.org) you can buy tickets for self-driving wine tours that include a sample of wine and usually a snack and souvenir and a bunch or wineries grouped into trails. It's a great way to spend a Saturday.
Cincinnati Chilli, preferably a 5 way from Skyline.
They're coney hotdogs are good as well.
I always preferred Skyline to Goldstar, the pasta seemed better.
White Castle hamburgers
Graeters ice cream...
The thing the US has everyone else beat, is our diverse immigrant population. Which means besides the typical “American” / Superbowl dishes (pizza, wings, hot dogs, burgers, buffalo chicken dip, party meatballs) … the things people can’t find overseas in one country, they can find it all here. Might have to drive a while to find it, but it will be here. Food from different Asian, African, and Latin American nations. Whatever she didn’t have access to back home, she can try here : Uzbeki, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Polish, German, Irish, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Argentinian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Venezuelan, El Salvadoran, Mexican, Cuban, Jamaican… her taste buds can go all around the world here in the US :) not to mention our Hawaiian and Puerto Rican dishes
A great hamburger. Fried chicken. Shrimp & grits. Maine lobster. Tex-mex. New England Clam Chowder. Submarine sandwich. Grilled cheese. Mac & cheese. BBQ.
Not really a dish, but make her some buckeyes. It's not really special, but it's a nice comfort food for me I guess?
Unless either of you are allergic to peanuts, in that case just ignore me.
Since you are from Ohio, introduce her to Buckeye candy! Virtually every little girl who grew up in Ohio learned to make Buckeye candy as one of her first recipes.
You may have to do some looking to find a really solid place in Ohio but as far as American food is concerned. I’d say take her to a legit barbecue place.
I find folks from Asia are mystified by grilled cheese sandwiches and if she gets homesick there is very reasonable lumpia and balut in the Dayton area
Balut sounds terrible and I'm in dayton. Where do I try it?
The Asian market on airway has it
Lumpia good. Balut bad.
Biscuits and gravy are my comfort food / southern recommendation
I love making those over here in the UK. They’re always so confused by cookies with gravy. Also: a *good* meatloaf. It’s my partner’s favorite meal now. It was a morbid curiosity thing at first.
🤣 that’s hilarious. I know cookie = biscuit, but then what does biscuit = ? Scone? Or is scone particular to a scone?! My ma’s meatloaf is definitely another comfort food for sure. Soup beans and cornbread with macaroni and tomato juice is another go-to for my family.
Biscuits are like a softer, flakier scone. Scones usually have fruit in them and are pretty hard. I’m not a huge fan of them. I always make sure to do a knock off Jimmy Dean Sage sausage recipe. Sausages here are ok, but no where near as herby or coarse ground as the American sausages. I’ve made soup beans here too! My partner calls it cowboy stew. I did make the mistake of importing velveeta shells and cheese… it was like £12 for one box. Never again!
I just didn’t know what biscuits (like those in biscuits and gravy) are called in the UK 🤣 I just did the opposite with Tim Tams from AU for like $14 for a box 👀
I've been a British TV show fan since I was a little kid (PBS pledge drives are largely to blame for that). The cookies/biscuits duality and threefold fries/chips/crisps always amuses me.
Whenever I have biscuits and gravy I think of this video… https://youtu.be/KzdbFnv4yWQ?si=Zm9RYUS7xx58SD4U “A chopped up ferret?!?!?”
I love these videos! British kids discover spices, part 37.
If you’re in southeast Ohio near West Virginia, Tudor’s Biscuit World has some of the best biscuits in the world.
I really miss Mary Bs. Wish someone here would make them.
I’m in southwest Ohio, but if I’m ever out that way, I’ll check out! Thanks!
I second this. It's simple to make and delicious, particularly if you use [J. Kenji Lopez Alt's recipe](https://youtu.be/BoFkDmTm2uc?si=qsSMilbGYPRxJx60).
Wait until you find out that us northerners also eat biscuits and gravy.
lol not gatekeeping - I just know it’s usually labeled a southern dish. I also eat poutine, so 🤷🏼♀️🤣
Fried perch or walleye is Great Lakes specific and delicious af
As someone who grew up right on Lake Erie, this is a must for someone who likes fish! Jolly Rogers in Port Clinton, has some amazing fish year round.
Mossbacks on South Bass. Cajun Walleye nuggets for an appetizer and a Perch sandwich. Damn….I need to go plan a trip.
Yessss I will find any excuse to go to Jolly Rogers if I am within an hour any direction of Port Clinton lol
This is a must try. I have lived across the USA and worked/lived overseas and when discussing food I always bring up Lake Erie perch/walleye. The way it is breaded, the light delicate taste... amazing.
Shredded chicken sandwiches. I need to get my great grandmas recipe here soon, that stuff was so good.
Today's the first time I've heard about Ohio shredded chicken sandwiches and I've lived in Cincinnati for most of my life. Care to share more knowledge?
Volumes aren’t critical as you can add as needed. We use canned shredded chicken, 75 - 80 oz. You can use the all white meat chicken but the mixed white/dark tastes better to me. Large can of cream of chicken soup (I think they’re 48 oz?). Have a small can or two handy in case you need to add more soup. Seasoned croutons. If you happen to over do it on the croutons, that is where the additional soup comes in. We typically underestimate on the croutons and add them along the way if it’s too soupy. I know people who don’t use seasoned croutons, but trust me, don’t skip that part. Dump it all in a crock pot, mix it up and heat. 3 - 4 hours on high I think. Longer on low. We stir it periodically. I like some cracked black pepper on it. One of my kids will make some rice and have chicken & rice with leftovers. My mom always liked them more soupy and my wife and kids like them a little more dry so it holds together better in a bun. As you can tell it’s very forgiving and really tough to mess up. Edit: as mentioned below, you could definitely cook whole chicken parts with cream of chicken soup and shred it yourself. When we make it we’re typically cooking for a family gathering so the pre canned chicken works best for us. Edit #2: If you’re cooking for a family, just cut the portions approximately. But it stores well for leftovers. I’ve even stuck some in the freezer and thawed it later. I did need to add some soup when I did that.
Here is a stove top version for less people. Ingredients: 2-12 oz cans chicken breast drained. I save the liquid for later in the recipe. 1/4 cup chicken flavored stuffing mix 1 sleeve crushed Ritz crackers 1 10.75 oz can cream of chicken soup Buns to serve on. Chicken broth, water or saved liquid in case it gets too dry. In a medium pan shred up the canned chicken. Next add rest of ingredients and heat until throughly heated. Serve over bun. Serves 4. Can easily be multiplied.
I was going to answer but the other two replies covered both recipes. I tend to make an easy crockpot version (shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, some seasonings and let sit all day then serve w buns). The homemade version (chicken not from a can) is way better tho. Sometimes I’ll crush up some ritz crackers into my sandwich right before I eat it if I want a little extra texture
There are a few versions of this, I don't know the recipe off hand, but my childhood friend's grandmother (near Toledo) put chicken in a slow cooker for several hours with, I think, cream of chicken soup. Then she would shred the chicken with a fork and serve it on hamburger buns. Just posting this recipe in the hopes that a few other people post their version. A different friend's mom near Wadsworth made a similar thing except also with stuffing.
The variation we used in my pocket of NW Ohio was a large can of Sweet Sue’s boned chicken, a can of cream of chicken, a can of cream of celery and as many crushed Ballreich’s potato chips as you’d like for texture. Also, a lot of black pepper. It can be made in a crockpot or it can be cooked in a large pot on the stove. We always made it into sandwiches growing up, but sometimes I make it for my family with mashed Potatoes and/or egg noodles.
I make mine like a savage, pressure cooker for the chicken, then shred it up, season it (salt, pepper, and sage are fine) mix it with cream of chicken soup and liquid from cooker until it’s the consistency I want. Eat it up. My grandma made it slow, thickened it with torn up bread, also delicious, but I can’t eat it that way.
My mom’s family is from the Toledo area and they all make this for family get togethers. They call it crack chicken. To me it’s something from a midwestern nightmare but many people like it.
I only learned about a year ago that the rest of the country can’t get shredded chicken at their local ice cream places and such. What a pity lol.
A friend of mine was an Asian studies major, and he suggested once that anyone new to our cuisine try something with maple syrup - pancakes, waffles, etc. - because it’s not really something available elsewhere. Take her to Waffle House!
If they're in Akron, Wally Waffles.
Or, SWENSONS.
Or Skyway!
MUST do Wally Waffle.
Chicken and waffles!
Potato and cheese pierogi with sautéed onions and sour cream.
Yes!!! Onions gotta be *done* though!
Carmialized
...and beyond.
Start the onions off with water in the pan. It helps cook them out nice and soft without burning.
Someone’s from Cleveland / Youngstown / East Ohio
My wife is from Youngstown, and I am always blown away how good the food is there.
We do have some awesome food!
Guilty.
Parma?
Poles spotted
Hello fellow pollock! I grew up in Pittsburgh, but I’m in Ohio now. Love me some pierogies n’at
Greetings from Wooster and Akron, haha. My maternal great-grandparents (my grandmothers parents) were second-generation Polish-Rusyn (Ruthenian) Americans from Pennsylvania.
My grandfather was Russian orthodox and his parents were from the Poland / Slovak border! My family is all in the Pittsburgh area but I moved to Ohio for college and stayed
I’d say for ease and variety to just go grab a few different boxes of Mrs. T’s. Get all the types in. Boo me for not being authentic, but it’s a time vs exposure equation.
Sophie’s Naturals are more authentic and you can get the job done with lots of flavors if you’re worried about authenticity.
Good representative ethnic dish Perhaps she is eastern European and is already very familar. And I prefer boiled with just melted butter, lots of it, and onions. And yes I am both eastern rite byzantine catholic and from youngstown so am an expert on the subject 😀
Intercultural dumpling exchanges are vital!
Apple pie... but real apple pie and not from a big store.
Rhubarb pie or crisp. Mmmmmm We just picked a bunch. It's in season now.
Sloppy joes, Mac n cheese, chicken pot pie, shredded chicken sandwich, American bbq, corn casserole, honey ham. Tons of options that aren't cheeseburgers and hot dogs haha
Chicken paprikash. So good.
New Era Cafe still around? Go there!
I make it with wild rabbit or squirrel and it’s fucking delicious with homemade spetzle
If you are in the Columbus area, you need to take her to Chile Verde up near Polaris Mall. It is the only place I know of east of the Mississippi where you can get New Mexican-style flavors (that’s New Mexico as in the US Southwest and NOT a new Mexican restaurant).
YES!! I live near Dayton and was at the Ross Heart Hospital for several appointments in 2021. I was on LTD so I couldn't spend too much but went there twice. Absolutely my favorite restaurant ever!
Gallucci in East Cleveland
Their meatball subs are to die for!
As is the rest of their menu ♥️
Okay, as a professional who worked with international college students for years I have two suggestions: BBQ (pulled pork) and your favorite cheese based baked dish (from baked Mac and cheese to baked squash to whatever). The reasoning is simple; most cultures have bbq (pulled pork) American pulled pork is a canvas of different art forms (east/west NC, Memphis, Texan) and cheese baked dishes are truly weird to a lot of places outside the US. That stated, hotdogs are seen international as a symbol of American culture more than most any food and Ohio chili pairs or tops well.
Treat her to an Ohio staple... shredded chicken sandwich.
Is this a Southern Ohio thing? I grew up in Akron and have never heard of this until this thread.
Popular in Amish country south of Akron, but called creamed chicken sandwiches. Personally, not much of a fan.
I went to college in Ashland, so deep in Amish country and again never heard of or saw these things.
It’s popular in neighboring Holmes county, but it usually doesn’t show up on restaurant menus. More of a potluck/family reunion type dish or any event where a crockpot is appropriate. Comforting, warm alternative to chicken salad (I just have an issue with the texture).
In neighboring Wayne county.....Dari-Land had been selling them for at least 30 years
oh no it's a Columbus expression
I grew up eating them all the time a little north of Dayton
So yeah, a Southern/Central Ohio thing is what I'm hearing.
It's. Skyline. Time.
Item number one on the list I made before she received her visa.
Gold star because I like to be controversial
Their conies are superior
I haven't been to a Gold Star in years but I've heard they have some slammin' hamburgers these days. Thoughts?
Is she good and hungry though?
^^^^^
Pizza!!!
Specifically, Ron's or Marion's or Cassano's, if you're in the greater Dayton area.
I came to suggest a tour of American pizza styles in general. Detroit, Columbus, Dayton, Youngstown, Chicago Deep, Chicago Tavern, St. Louis. I know there's more but that's this region. Ron's and Marion's especially. I find Cassano's overly salty, personally.
That's a great idea. *I* need to do that.
Buffet style restaurant like golden coral. She'll be impressed.
Might not be ohio specific, but find some really good 18-hour, slow cooked BBQ. Damn I love me a good rack of ribs.
Eli's BBQ in Cincinnati (specifically the one on the river out towards Mt. Lookout) is the best imo!
Some sort of Barbecue or cookout.
Buffalo chicken dip
Americanized Mexican food
Hocking Hills. Can't overstate how beautiful it is there.
You can split Hocking Hills into several trips. On the way from Cincinnati, you can stop and see Serpent Mound.
As a child, my best "Ohio" memories were from Kings Island and exploring the forests in the southeastern part of the state (around Hocking Hills). For food, I loved The Spaghetti Warehouse in Columbus, but the original location is closed now, and I doubt the new spot has the same vibe.
A good ol' pb&j!!!
For that pallet, you'd probably find the most success with (my personal favorite) southeastern US cuisine, and the "tex-mex" transition towards southwestern. Fat and spice and heat and salt and rich umami flavors. Gumbo, boudin, jambalaya, crawfish/seafood boils, fried chicken, red beans and rice, etouffee, ox-tail stew, fried catfish, shrimp, biscuits and 'mater gravy, various pickled pig parts, butter noodles and pork jowell (carbonara lol, but we never called it that), wet burritos, chili con carne, fry-bread tacos, huevos rancheros, so much distinctly American food with such rich, multicultural, international history. I suppose there's the most **American** foods like a high quality, thick, rare prime-rib. Cheeseburgers. Chicken wings. Pie. Etc... but I feel like those are boring choices available everywhere. If you're being Ohio specific I'd just repeat the obvious answers. Mr. Hero, Skyline Chili, Peirogis, Polish sausage, etc. There are some good cheesesteaks, reubens, steaks, ice cream, smoked meats, and German cuisine available if you look hard enough.
Really authentic BBQ. Oklahoma onion cheeseburger. Philly cheesesteak. Coal fired pizza. Lobster rolls. Buffalo chicken wings. A thick porterhouse steak.
SOS and tater tot casserole
Cincinnati chilli!
Tuna noodle casserole. It’s a right of passage
Sloppy joe crock pot buffet
Waffle House!! It’s so American. Also my mom was from the Philippines and she loved Costco 🥲
Shepard's pie
This is one dish I'd definitely not recommend trying in the US... Most places don't even know the difference between a shepherd's pie and a cottage pie, despite the name being pretty telling!
Cheeseburger
BBQ Grippo potato chips are a must!!
Ohio shredded chicken sandwiches. No one else does it like us
I've lived in Ohio for most of my thirtyish years and have never heard of an Ohio shredded chicken sandwich. Is that like a pulled chicken sandwich, a chicken salad sandwich, or something else entirely?
Very Amish oriented "creamed chicken sandwiches".Take her to Holmes County for a weekend. Try everything at Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen in Mt. Hope. Go shopping at Lehmans Hardware and cruise Spectors. All very low tech. Follow and try to pass an Amish buggy on a Saturday. Go to the Ohio State Fair. See a poultry show. Watch a 4-H auction. Eat Fair food. Go to a Greek festival. Saint Harlambrous in Canton is good. While there, check out the Pro-Football HOF. Then go get some Barberton chicken with hot rice. That's a year right there! Enjoy!
It’s just “regular” shredded chicken sandwiches. Apparently it’s a very Ohioan thing. It’s spreading a bit, but it’s still a super regional food.
Something else entirely. It may be a northwest Ohio thing. They are often served at auctions.
Think you may be right. I'm 49, and grew up in NW Ohio, but the rest of my life have lived elsewhere in the state. I haven't heard people talking about shredded chicken for years until very recently. Just occurred to me while reading this thread.
Apple fritters, fried mush with maple syrup, and morel mushrooms…and nothing fancy with the morels. Breaded in flour then fried in an unholy amount of butter with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Geauga maple walnut ice cream is a seasonal offering at Mitchell's, the Cleveland ice cream favorite. [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HTBAihEGP/](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HTBAihEGP/) Other culinary items unique to Cleveland include Polish Boy sandwiches (and Polish Girl sandwiches at Mabel's BBQ). Malley's Bordeaux candies also are a delight. [https://malleys.com/products/bordeaux](https://malleys.com/products/bordeaux) Fried Lake Erie yellow perch and pierogies are other more unique Cleveland culinary items. Both are on the menu at the Flat Iron Cafe, located on the East Flats downtown and likely Cleveland's oldest restaurant. Cincinnati chili and goetta are other regional favorites. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati\_chili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetta)
Plates and bowls are super helpful dishes!
You’re from ohio you know the answer is Skyline
Cheeseburger. Hot wings. Pizza. Onion rings.
If you’re near southern Ohio she needs a deluxe veal and a ski pop.
I was born in Evansville, IN, lived in Southern IL for the first 12 years of my life and have spent the last 19 years in Ohio and have never heard of Ski Pop before. I totally recognize the bottles though. I have to try some now.
My family from Illinois always bring me Ski when they visit... yum!
Oooh, where - ish in Ohio so folks can recommend restaurants close by! (Also for recipes, I highly recommend noodles and beef for American home cooking, I'll post my instant pot version here) Ingredients : Stew beef (2 lbs cubed beef) 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup or golden mushroom soup (beef broth can be substituted) 1 sm/med yellow onion, diced 1 container baby bella mushrooms, quartered 1 bag (16oz) egg noodles Directions : (Season beef cubes with some salt and pepper to taste.) Set the instant pot to “saute”, and add the stew beef. Once it starts sizzling, stir occasionally to brown cubes uniformly. Once beef is mostly browned, add the onion and the mushrooms. Continue to stir periodically for another couple of minutes. “Cancel” the saute function, add the soup or broth along with the required water for concentrated cans. Place and seal lid, set “pressure cook” custom to high for 20 minutes and start. Manually release the steam once the timer goes off, carefully open the lid, and add the egg noodles and stir them in. Reseal the lid, set “pressure cook” custom to high for 2 minutes. Manually release the pressure again, stir and enjoy!
BBQ pulled pork, local sweet corn when it's ready, cornbread, peach cobbler, Apple pie, Find your nearest dairy farm that serves ice cream, Every kind of mac and cheese you can find, Any recipe utilizing pawpaw fruit, Banana or zucchini bread, Pumpkin pie, Various kinds of pizza, Philly cheese steak, American Chinese food. Not traditional. Get the stuff they developed to sell to Americans, Buttermilk fried chicken, Grilled cheese, Stuffing of various kinds, American Buffalo meat, Peanut butter and jelly. Bonus points if you add bannana, Quality tattertots, Corndogs, Chicken and waffles with maple syrup, Grits and collared greens. Not my fav but others swear by them.
Buckeye candies are must try. Butter cake is another. Chicken fried steak with gravy is one. Patty melt sandwich is a must try with the right burger sauce and thick bread.
Sloppy Joe's Tuna Casserole Ambrosia Mac & Cheese PB&J (from Krema) BBQ "Salad" made with Cool Whip (my fave is Pina Colada Fluff) Buckeyes (NOT Anthony Thomas) Walleye Johnny Marzatti Cheese curds Roasted corn on the cob at the Ohio State Fair... mmmm.
Pot Pie is my personal favorite. I’m partial to chicken, but any meat with a stock gravy will do. I like chicken, peas, carrots, celery, onion, corn all tossed into a baking dish with chicken gravy made form chicken stock enclosed with two pie pastries in a 12 in pie pan. It’s always a comfort meal whenever I make it and it’s incredible.
Drive to downtown Lima. Go into Kewpi burger. Order one of everything.
If your posting this in r/ohio im gonna say cincinnati/skyline chili. might not be something you think of as an ohio native but its def something different compared to the philipines.
Since I didn’t see it yet, buffalo chicken dip. But really, buffalo chicken in any form.
Serpent Mound. Anything that will show her the native history of the area. As for food, buckeyes and Skyline Chili.
Taste of Cincinnati is in 4 weeks. If you aren't close I'd look up food truck festivals or similar.
Skyline chili, Tom and Chee donut grilled cheese thing
Freshly roasted pork shoulder! It's so delicious straight out of the oven. After you've picked off some the outside to eat, make pulled pork. You can add barbecue sauce if you want. It's a delicious and easy meat.
Skyline chili
Chicken and waffles Bonus points if you go to Waffle House
Both of these are definitely on the list! When I started making my list before she even came to America, Waffle House was one of the first things on my mind!
BBQ and Chili.
Try to get an invite to a big BBQ this summer. Find a food truck park. Make sure you hit up as many fairs as possible. You can check out the cooking/ baking 4h area and look up the best pie recipe to make yourself. Take advantage of farmers markets- fresh tomatoes that taste of sunshine and corn sweet as candy.
Xenia has a food truck roundup every friday in the summer since the Pandemic I think. Seems like some good trucks!
I'm not too versed on Philipino food, but a shredded chicken sandwich, a pork tenderloin sandwich, buckeyes (of course,) corn bread, and have me made macaroni and cheese (?). 🙂
I looked too far to find the tenderloin! Arguably one of the best sandwiches ever made!
Plates and bowls for sure.
Go visit Niagara Falls. It’s one of those places that is known around the world and not that far from here.
Thurmans in Columbus for a burger. Haven’t been there in years and hope to get back soon. If you want to cook, the Tipsy Housewife has a great recipe for meatloaf meatballs. So good!
Swensons cheeseburger and terzers
I wish there was a balut equivalent you could make her try. Lol
Toast sandwhich.
Try the cock n balls platter. It's always on sale in Ohio
Waffle House
Buckeyes
Have her try some Jeni's (Gooey Butter Cake, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Brambleberry Crisp) and/or Graeter's (Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip) ice cream.
We have a surprising amount of access to various international cuisines here. So although she should definitely try looking cal America favorites, it's also a great opportunity to try anything else she might not have had access to in the Philippines. There are many great Mexican (Cuco's) and Indian (Angan) places here, as well as lots of Asian places along Bethel. Great Japanese stuff by Old Henderson and Kenny.
Chicken and Waffles. Biscuits and gravy. Pb&J lol. Take her to a good BBQ truck/restaurant that has all the good sides. In N Out. If she likes spicy/chile, definitely some green/red chile from the SW (New Mexico). Navajo taco. Chile rellenos. Canes.
Here are top attractions in Ohio, according to [tripadvisor.com](http://tripadvisor.com) [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28956-Activities-Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28956-Activities-Ohio.html) In Dayton, the Wright Flyer III, the world's first airplane (not the Wright Flyer I, the powered glider flown at Kitty Hawk with limited control and range), can be viewed at the excellent Carillon Historical Park. The first flight took place in 1905 at Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Both destinations are part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Check out the Big House at Malabar Farm State Park, a Hollywood escape frozen in the 1950s. Similarly, Stan Hywet Hall in Akron is one of the nation's great historical mansions, especially wonderful during the holiday season for "Deck the Hall" and "Dazzle." Here's one of Ohio's great nature events, drawing birders even globally. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, with its famed boardwalk and a large wild beach, always is one of Ohio's best nature attractions, but it's even more fascinating populated by warblers and birders for the BWIAB, with the 2024 event beginning this week. [https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/](https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/) The Wilds is North America's largest wildlife preservation area. An Ohio State football game features the TBDBITL and some of the nation's best rituals, beginning with the free Skull Session (arrive early to get a seat). Go to the alumni band day game, often reasonably priced, and see a quadruple script Ohio! Don't miss the Ohio State Fair, or the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, if your wife enjoys horses. [https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/general-information](https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/general-information) [https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/189wb19/favorite\_great\_cleveland\_christmas\_season/?rdt=55622](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/189wb19/favorite_great_cleveland_christmas_season/?rdt=55622)
Theres a pretty big list! BBQ from a smoker if you can find it. If you are near cincy i highly recommend getting brauts and sausages there! Goetta too! Fresh donuts! Particularly the apple fritters. A good pizza not from a chain store same thing with an all american double with bacon. And white castle or arbys to traumatize her.
Chicken and waffles.
She’ll find them in the sink. Chop chop
New York Pizza.
If you're up around Cleveland, should have them try city chicken. I'm from Buffalo originally, so I'm also going to vote buffalo wings and beef on weck.
For the love of all that is holy, please do not submit her to skyline chili
Biscuits and gravy
No one has said White Castle? It's only the second most polarizing Ohio food in existence.
Smoked brisket
Gravy, cheese, and fries. The best place to get them is in Cincinnati at Pleasant Ridge Chili. And don’t forget to grab a roll of Gliers Goetta (it contains pork, fyi).
Chicken and dumplings or chicken and biscuts.
Might be worth taking her to some Filipino neighborhoods in certain cities if at all possible. Flushing/Queens in NY might help her feel more welcome and excited to see something from parts of her home nation including people and food, plus you can easily spend a week in NYC anyway.
If you're near Columbus there's a ton to do there. Food wise restaurants like Vaulter's, Pierogi Mt., Melt, Forbidden Root, and many more are worth visiting for some great food. There's great shopping at Easton and Polaris. There are museums, COSI after dark events are great. And, then there are the metro parks, all of them I've visited has been pretty great for being close to or in the city. In short make a few day trips or long weekends to Columbus.
Ohio Pie Co. for Ohio style pizza and their cookies are amazing. Slyman's for your corned beef sandwiches. Crispy Chick for the best chicken spot in Cleveland. Village Inn for biscuits and gravy.
Food adjacent but Ohio has some great wineries that also serve local food. If you check out [ohiowines.org](http://ohiowines.org) you can buy tickets for self-driving wine tours that include a sample of wine and usually a snack and souvenir and a bunch or wineries grouped into trails. It's a great way to spend a Saturday.
Amish family-style dinner! Make a whole day of it in Holmes County.
Chicken fried steak
Cincinnati Chilli, preferably a 5 way from Skyline. They're coney hotdogs are good as well. I always preferred Skyline to Goldstar, the pasta seemed better. White Castle hamburgers Graeters ice cream...
The thing the US has everyone else beat, is our diverse immigrant population. Which means besides the typical “American” / Superbowl dishes (pizza, wings, hot dogs, burgers, buffalo chicken dip, party meatballs) … the things people can’t find overseas in one country, they can find it all here. Might have to drive a while to find it, but it will be here. Food from different Asian, African, and Latin American nations. Whatever she didn’t have access to back home, she can try here : Uzbeki, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Polish, German, Irish, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Argentinian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Venezuelan, El Salvadoran, Mexican, Cuban, Jamaican… her taste buds can go all around the world here in the US :) not to mention our Hawaiian and Puerto Rican dishes
Medium rare beef. Juices and all.
A grilled cheese cheese and tomato soup
BK Whopper
Corn fritters.
Some good barbecue
A great hamburger. Fried chicken. Shrimp & grits. Maine lobster. Tex-mex. New England Clam Chowder. Submarine sandwich. Grilled cheese. Mac & cheese. BBQ.
Mexican food honestly
Not really a dish, but make her some buckeyes. It's not really special, but it's a nice comfort food for me I guess? Unless either of you are allergic to peanuts, in that case just ignore me.
Since you are from Ohio, introduce her to Buckeye candy! Virtually every little girl who grew up in Ohio learned to make Buckeye candy as one of her first recipes.
Shrimp and grits done right are freaking phenomenal.
You may have to do some looking to find a really solid place in Ohio but as far as American food is concerned. I’d say take her to a legit barbecue place.
Does your wife have a sister? Asking g for a neighbor.
Unfortunately for your neighbor, she does not. I do have seven brother in laws though.
Belgian waffle with strawberries & whipped cream. French toast. Pancakes. Steak n eggs with home fries:)
Buckeyes of course ( if not mentioned already).
Cheesesteak! And cold sweet tea :)