If you’re eating a bagel with a Philadelphia cream cheese schmear while you read this, you can thank Upstate New York.Yes, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York, not the city of brotherly love, though some Philadelphians may refute that claim.Local folklore says the cream cheese came from Philadelphia, NY, just northeast of Fort Drum. It’s even mentioned on the town website, but others claim its just a myth.According to world-renowned cream cheese expert Rabbi Jeffrey Marx, in 1872, a dairy farmer named William Lawrence from Chester, experimented with increasing the cream content in his cheese recipe. This resulted…

It’s been a long, slow summer in New Orleans, but there’s still been a lot happening in the local restaurant scene.That’s why I’m using this edition of my regular where-to-eat-now column to catch you up on a few things, and also check in with some enduring favorites I revisited during the slump. A selection of nigiri with “chef’s choice” dressings at Yakuza House in Metairie. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) These are quick picks from a restaurant scene that is rich, diverse, constantly changing and still very much in need of the locals as the slow…

Petit Pomeroy announces it’s now open in River North. Inspired by Pomeroy in Winnetka, Petit Pomeroy will offer a refined dining experience with a menu that celebrates French bistro favorites. Guests will be transported to Paris with classics such as Onion Soup Gratinée, Escargot, Bouillabaisse, and daily plats du jour specials like Coq Au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon. The ambiance is complemented by a curated wine list and a cocktail program inspired by French brasserie classics. Petit Pomeroy is open daily Sunday – Thursday: 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reservations are now available on…

It took four years for the Duggans to expand from there. In 2016, they opened a second Original Joe’s in the iconic midcentury Daly City space owned by their founder’s former partner, who, for more than 50 years, ran it as Joe’s of Westlake. But most of Original Joe’s new expansion has brazenly occurred during the economically tender years that started in 2020. Since then, in the face of a full-blown hospitality recession, the Duggans have opened three restaurants, with another on the way.The first was in 2020, when the Duggans opened Little Original Joe’s in West Portal, a pizza…

Houston’s food scene always has a lot going on, but not every bit of news that we get qualifies for a full article. However, that does not mean that it’s not useful. We often hear about deals, events such as wine dinners, limited-time menu items, culinary classes and new dishes. “Small Bites” rounds up these tasty little morsels to keep you on top of what’s going on in Houston. Houston Restaurant Opening News in Brief Mediterranean Food — Made Your Way — Arrives in Missouri City Gyro Republic has opened in Missouri City at 23040 Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road.…

Charleston has long been known for its food scene among those who love it, but that reputation has picked up steam and the Holy City has begun to emerge in the general travel world as a top food destination. Ranked No. 2 behind New Orleans as the best city for eating in the United States, it’s no surprise that Charleston restaurants have been noticed in these lists. One such restaurant, the Charleston Grill, was picked up in the Best Restaurants in the U.S. list by Trip Advisor, coming in at No. 8. Some of its patrons concur, noting in reviews…

Pulled pork, hash, shredded chicken and coleslaw are some options North Augusta residents can get a taste of at a new barbecue truck.Palmetto Smoke-House BBQ is a new barbecue food truck that specializes in Carolina-style barbecue. The truck, which is located at 1187 Edgefield Road, has been open since July. “It makes you feel good when you see people coming back for more and more,” said Mike Powell, who is the owner and founder of Palmetto Smoke-House BBQ.The truck sells pork and chicken-based items such as pulled pork, a shredded chicken sandwich, along with other items including coleslaw, mac and…

A New York City nonprofit is helping communities fight food insecurity.Rethink Food began in 2017 with the mission of taking excess food from top restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park to be redistributed to food-insecure communities across the city. Despite declines, post-pandemic food insecurity in the city remains high as one in nine families doesn’t often have enough to eat.Matt Jozwiak, founder and CEO of Rethink Food, said the organization filled a unique niche during the pandemic.”There’s not a lot of nonprofits that are working with, like, a soul-food restaurant in Harlem and a community center down the street,” Jozwiak…

Chicago’s famed Garrett Popcorn is gearing up to celebrate 75 years in business with a rather sweet offer. In commemoration of Garrett’s 75th anniversary, you can get a small bag of any signature recipe for $1.75 starting Monday, the company said in a news release. The deal runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available in-store only, expect for in shops at sports venues and airports. Customers are limited to one bag per transaction, and one offer per item. While the special ends Friday, it isn’t the only deal available this month. From Monday, Sept. 16…

EL SOBRANTE — There is a growing push to get healthy foods into lower income communities and it’s changing people’s views about how and where their food is grown.  Now, an agricultural non-profit in Oakland is concentrating its efforts to transform one neighborhood in Contra Costa County.Like a lot of small towns, El Sobrante doesn’t often get a lot of new things.  In fact, the town’s Spanish name actually translates to “the leftovers.”  So, it seemed like the perfect place for a group called Planting Justice to create a new weekly farmers market.”It was an agricultural community for a long,…