Food & drink

Food & drink

It seems like every year we're introduced to a new regional American style of pizza that most people have never heard of, and it's easy to be dubious about how "authentic" these local delicacies are. But Ohio Valley-style pizza is very much a real, distinctive thing. Unlike most pizza, which is primarily defined by the crust, what sets Ohio Valley-style apart is that the cheese and the toppings both go on cold after the crust and sauce are already cooked.

In the United States, geography and location have a lot to do with the shape of local culture, like accents, architecture, and especially food. Costal environments like the Pacific Northwest and New England tend to lean heavily in to their abundance of oysters, crab, and lobster, while in landlocked areas like Colorado and Kansas, you're more likely to see meat-based cuisine focused on beef and even bison and elk. Knowing how much local foods are shaped by the proximity of ingredients, it's a surprise that some Americans don't translate this idea to other countries, especially ones famous for their cuisine.

Foodie fans of "The Simpsons" won't soon forget the iconic episode in which the children of Springfield find themselves lost in the woods, and one character remarks, "I'm so hungry I could eat at Arby's" ("Gosh" and "wow" remark the other kids). Even self-professed Arby's fans will likely admit that, yeah, the chain isn't exactly known for being top-quality, or for producing sandwiches that remotely resemble the advertised photos.

Food trends are changing and evolving constantly, with yesterday's textures, flavors, and ingredients moving aside or inspiring the ones we expect to see in 2026. We expect the upcoming year to be influenced by health trends, as well as politics, and the need for comfort in our food offerings. People's ever-expanding palates and health needs are also colliding with their budgets, but that doesn't mean they plan to sacrifice their food experiences.

Consumers must be aware that seafood fraud, in which vendors label cheaper fish as products of higher quality and price, is common practice. According to Oceana, fish is mislabeled 25 to 70% of the time, especially when it comes to prized fish like wild salmon and Atlantic cod. Those of us who care about the environment are also concerned with traceability,

Chick-fil-A, the home of sweet and savory fried chicken and those cute, "promootional" mascots (sorry), is also the home to an exclusive rewards program called Chick-fil-A One. Every bite adds up, and the cost to become a top-tier member of their highest order - the Chick-fil-A Signature Member - is $873.73. That's just enough to bump you over 10,000 points (10,001 points to be exact) and enter the top coveted tier.

Ready in just over 30 minutes, these meatballs are easily assembled by hand using a combination of aromatic ingredients such as turmeric, coconut, ginger, lemongrass, and cilantro. The inclusion of fresh bread, egg, and shredded coconut ensures that the ground chicken stays wonderfully succulent as the meatballs are broiled to perfection, offering a little smokiness and char action. The chicken meatballs are served alongside a quick-to-assemble peanut dipping sauce, adding a rich, creamy counter that perfectly complements the other flavors in the dish.

As a professional bartender with years of behind-the-bar experience, I've tasted, mixed, and served my fair share of spirits - from obscure craft distilleries to globally recognized icons. Over time, I've noticed a recurring pattern: certain brands achieve fame, hype, or luxury pricing that their actual liquid rarely justifies. That's what I mean by "overrated." For the purposes of this article, an overrated brand is one that is sought-after, valued, or frequently discussed, yet, in terms of aroma, flavor, or overall drinking experience, fails to live up to its popularity, demand, or price point.

Many of the Easter eggs already out on supermarket shelves this month not only cost more, but have been reduced in size or weight as the price of cocoa has driven a new wave of shrinkflation. Maltesers is living up to its the lighter way to enjoy chocolate slogan with its XL egg rather less large this year at 194g in many shops, down from 231g in 2025, while the price charged by Tesco has risen by 1 to 7.

There are numerous types of mushrooms, each with unique flavor and texture characteristics. Shiitake mushrooms are from Asia, featuring a classic bulbous brown cap and a thinner, edible stem. Their meaty chew and deep umami flavor is a boon to many recipes you're sure to love, whether it's a conventional Asian stir fry or a creamy risotto. Of course, a successful shiitake recipe starts with the freshest mushrooms.

The best restaurants in Albuquerque tell a greater story of this city and state. Albuquerque's rich blend of traditional New Mexican cuisine and Route 66 roadside fare has evolved into one of the most unexpectedly diverse dining scenes in the Southwest. The Duke City's working-class vibes and demographic breadth has led to a tremendous spread of establishments- from hole-in-the-wall lunch spots to James Beard-recognized fine dining joints defining their own categories of place-based cuisine. So whether you're in pursuit of dishes that will transport your tastebuds around the world, or simply looking to sink your teeth into the best huevos rancheros or handheld burrito in the city, you can find it all here in the heart of the Land of Enchantment.

Chinatown has always belonged to multiple generations. Young and old share the streets, and it's the same on Doyers, where you'll find a dim sum spot in residence since 1920 right next door to a modern wine bar, Lei. Annie Shi opened Lei in June. Ms. Shi hopes that guests will think Lei as part of a longer visit to Chinatown. You can see the traces of a Chinese American childhood: mahogany walls with this red blush, and red is for luck.

"We just always believed that barbecue was a part of our culture, going all the way back in history," Cedric explained. And Anthony put it even more personally: "When you go to a barbecue, no matter where you go, it's like a family reunion. You've got the spades, you've got the dominoes, you've got the good music, you've got the great food, you've got the great camaraderie, you have family around you, and that's what this business is for us."

Join us for our official kickoff of Commercial Break Marketplace celebrating the Lunar New Year featuring: Lion Dance + Giant Labubu performance God of Fortune appearances Chinese art demonstrations and hands-on tutorials Busking, Live Music and festive street atmosphere Decorative lighting and Lunar New Year-themed street décor A wide variety of exciting pop-up vendors Come experience Chinatown in a new way: shop local, celebrate culture, and enjoy the street as a place to gather, connect, and relax.

Flushing doesn't need another restaurant to prove it's a food destination-but it just got one anyway. Nong Geng Ji, a Hunan cuisine group that built its name in China, will open its first New York City location in Queens on January 18, bringing unique countryside-rooted flavors to 37th Avenue. Founded in 2017, the brand has quickly expanded to more than 100 directly operated restaurants across China, Southeast Asia and Canada.

Chefs take surplus food ingredients from the charity's depot next door and turn them into meals. These are then cooked, chilled, packed into boxes and distributed across to the organisations the charity supports. More than 1,200 organisations who are feeding people experiencing food insecurity and food poverty benefit from the work of The Felix Project. Its initial aim was to produce 100,000 meals to feed local families and children throughout the summer holidays, but five years on and it continues to support those in need.

Potbelly may be best known for its sandwiches, even those you instantly regret ordering - but that doesn't mean the chain's menu doesn't have more to offer. You'll also find cookies, milkshakes, and other sweet treats on the menu, along with classic sandwich shop staples like salads, bags of chips, and whole pickles. Hot food lovers are also in luck when they step foot into a Potbelly location, because it also offers a selection

I too have spent my life colloquially referring to everything from the cheese I ate in Parma itself to the Kraft stuff that comes pre-grated in a canister as "Parmesan." It's what American producers BelGioioso and Polly-O call their products, and what any server asks if you'd like sprinkled on your spaghetti and meatballs. But the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium views this as tantamount to deceit, a way to swindle innocent consumers into buying an inferior product. And the group has a plan to stop it.

When you dine out instead of making your own meal, there's a trade-off: What you gain in convenience, you lose in terms of knowledge and control. Customers rarely know exactly how their orders are made, and more restaurants rely on frozen food than you might guess - even for "premium" items like steak. We've rounded up four popular chain eateries that have been rumored to use frozen steaks.

If I were to rank my top biscuits of all time, Viennese fingers would sit firmly in my top three. There's not too much going on: just a good, buttery crumb, melt-in-the-mouth texture and chocolate-dipped ends, which are a must. While they're pretty straightforward to make, issues often arise when it's time to pipe the dough, and it can be tricky to strike a balance between a consistency that has enough butter but still holds its shape once baked.