While listening to NPR, an interview was aired on the Splendid Table with a terrorism analyst who wrote Cuisines of the Axis of Evil, citing culinary influence within societies of "irritating countries", such as the cultural embracing of the baguette in France and the lesser-attained falafel influence on Israeli culture, which is marketed as "Israel's food". While of course food is such an influence on world culture, how has Oklahoma fared to market a dish specific to our state, even for our city? We promote that we invented the shopping cart and ...parking meter, but what about cuisines? We're home to two sizable restaurant headquarters and we grow and export wheat and cattle. Has anyone made a dish marketed specifically "Oklahoman"? I would like to hear how we have or plan to do so, given our emergence as a champion of economic development.

There was a big statewide push for this initiative a year or so ago. They mainly pushed the Chicken Fried Steak. There was a statewide task force dedicated to upping the marketing for our official state food. I can't seem to find the old threads discussing this or articles, but they made it a pretty big deal. The link below just has some basic facts about some of our official foods.

http://www.blogoklahoma.us/blog.asp?id=244

But what does Oklahoma have different that anywhere else in the states to make it Oklahoman? I'm not sure if Oklahoma is the largest harvester in anything off the top of my head. We have been here 10 yrs and I can't think of anything that I would consider "Oklahoman".

I have thought about this for awhile. Oklahoma doesn't have a true cuisine identity to call their own. The state, geographically, sits on the edge of most of the great cuisines of America. Texas has "Cowboy Cuisine", New Mexico has its Southwestern roots, Louisiana has, of course "Cajun Fare". Arkansas and Missouri have both come up when discussing barbecue. I think we take most of our influences from the all of the above and create a true comfort food; one that draws from the people, not the land.

Indian Taco's

Yeah let's go with Indian Tacos and Cherry Limeades.

Chicken Fried Steak, Indian Tacos and Cherry Limeade, sounds good to me.

Onion Burger?

nah, that's not really a local thing since those are from coast to coast.

I'd never heard of Indian Tacos, Onion burgers, or bbq bologna till I moved here.

Let's go with something good, not something that screams "redneck" (like bbq bologna, fried twinkies, or calf fries).

Indian Tacos work, as would chicken fried steak. It should probably have something to do with beef.

nah, that's not really a local thing since those are from coast to coast.

If you google "onion burger" the only results that talk about origin, mention Oklahoma.

Depression Burgers: http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2005/10/recipe_onion_bu_1.html

I don't know who this guy is, but apparently he thinks Onion Burgers are an Okie thang.

scott hutcheson: Pride of Oklahoma: The Fried Onion Burger (http://scotthutcheson.typepad.com/scott_hutcheson/2006/08/pride_of_oklaho.html)

El Reno claims they are the Onion Burger Capital of the World

Fried Onion Burger Day El Reno Oklahoma May 3, 2008 (http://elrenoburgerday.com/)

I've never seen an Indian Taco outside of a Fair. At least you can go to an Onion Burger restaurant. IMO there's a difference between an Onion Burger and a burger with carmelized onions.

Let's go with something good, not something that screams "redneck" (like bbq bologna, fried twinkies, or calf fries).


I don't think that anyone would have ever suggested fried twinkies or bbq bologna... maybe you're thinking fried bologna... which is delicious BTW.

Calf fries, for one, are delicious too... not "redneck". (PS - why are people on OKCtalk so afraid of anything that is supposedly 'redneck'... buffalo on walls are redneck .... bologna is redneck... the cowboy hall of fame is redneck...)

I think Oklahoma is known for steak in general. Or we could have a state dish... I'd say Posole but New Mexico has the market on that. Okra... fried, pickled, whatever! YUMMY! The state breakfast is deffinatly buscuits and gravy!!! Or as I like to say 'Vitamin G'

Anyway... 'cuisine' is something that I think take centuries to develop. That being said, the US in general can only claim Cajun, BBQ, and 'American' cuisines (hamburgers, hotdogs).

Yes, we hear of bull***t like 'California Cuisine'. That is the biggest joke. All you do is a add avocados, olives, capers, or any combination of the three (none of which are native to California) to any dish of any other cuisine...TA DAAA!!!! IT'S CALIFORNIAN.

A lot of places, while they may specialize in something, don't really have anything unique to their state or city.

Kansas City = BBQ
San Francisco = Sourdough
New Orleans = Cajun/Creole
Seattle = coffee
New York = the bagel

Other places, like Los Angeles or Houston or Atlanta may not have anything unique but would certainly specialize in something. Oklahoma and Texas certainly specialize in Mexican as well as steak. Miami has Cuban food. Atlanta has soul food. Milwaukee has German food.

OK Folks... guess we are the only state to have an 'offical state meal'!!

Here it is...

MEAL: fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas.

State Information (http://www.ok.gov/osfdocs/stinfo.html)

Also see:
The Food Timeline history notes--state foods (http://www.foodtimeline.org/statefoods.html#oklahoma)

"I've never seen an Indian Taco outside of a Fair. At least you can go to an Onion Burger restaurant. IMO there's a difference between an Onion Burger and a burger with carmelized onions.[/QUOTE]"


There is a indian taco place on I think N. Macarthur near NW 50th. I have to go there every now and then to get my fair food fix.

"I've never seen an Indian Taco outside of a Fair. At least you can go to an Onion Burger restaurant. IMO there's a difference between an Onion Burger and a burger with carmelized onions."


There is a indian taco place on I think N. Macarthur near NW 50th. I have to go there every now and then to get my fair food fix.[/QUOTE]

Tim's

http://www.okctalk.com/food-court/14560-indian-tacos.html