Occasionally I get so tired, I feel ill. And that’s what happened on Sunday. I don’t know why, because I slept at least nine hours on Saturday night, but I was fatigued almost to the point of pukin’ on Sunday. It’s some kind of cumulative thing that doesn’t necessarily have a lot to do with just the previous day.
So, when the night finally (finally!) ended, I went home and climbed atop the dormancy platform. And the next morning I apparently hit the snooze button so many times, the clock eventually washed its hands (get it?) of the whole situation.
The alarm starts going off at 9:30, and I jerked awake at 12:41 — more than three hours later. Sweet sainted mother of Rembrandt Pussyhorse! I’d planned to write and post an update here, and also take care of a couple of other small tasks, before it was time to leave for work again around 2:00. It threw my entire “morning” into disarray.
And that’s why there was no Monday update. I apologize, but I guess my brain required some additional downtime. And man, I felt fantastic on Monday. It’s crazy how everything can change in just half a day. …Yeah, I’m shaving years off my life working this way, aren’t I?
Toney cut my hair on Sunday morning. It feels ridiculous to even type those words, but they’re true. She bought a set of heavy-duty clippers at Target or someplace, and announced that she was going to start cutting my hair, as well as the boys’ hair, and save us hundreds of dollars per year. Possibly millions.
I was skeptical, highly skeptical, and don’t really view the cost of haircuts as a major expense. But whatever.
On Saturday she cut the older boy’s hair, and it didn’t look too bad. In fact, it looked pretty much like one of the twenty dollar cuts he gets every few weeks. There was no wide strip of naked scalp across the back of his head, and his hair didn’t come to a point like a Dairy Queen sundae, as I’d had it pictured.
So, the next day I let her take a crack at my Jiffy Pop ‘do. And I’d rate it a C+. It doesn’t look horrible, but there’s something… wobbly about it. Certain sections are a little larger than they should be, and it just doesn’t feel right. I can’t see anything terribly wrong with it in the mirror. But something is askew.
I assume she’ll improve with practice, and until then I’ll be walking around with wobbly hair… Stay tuned.
I went to dinner with some big-shots at work last night. I’m not sure why I was invited, and, in true Jeff Kay fashion, spent the whole afternoon trying to come up with some negative doomsday explanation for it all.
But it was a good time (surprisingly enough), and I had expense account New York Strip steak. Is there anything better than expense account steak? I submit that there is not. And it brought back memories of my high-flying record weasel days, when I dined in the finest restaurants of America, on the tabs of major corporations, for no apparent reason. God, I loved that.
Unfortunately, I started to take it for granted, and didn’t fully appreciate my good fortune during the final few years. After it was over, I was left thinking, “Hey, wait a minute. How come no record companies have bought me a fifty dollar steak this month? What the hell, man?!”
And now I’m getting haircuts at home, with Target clippers… <sigh>
I was talking with a guy at work last night, and he told me his brother is driving in from Colorado for Christmas. He grew up here, I’m told, and every time he returns, he fills the trunk of his car with many different varieties of Tastykakes. Like, hundreds of dollars-worth. Heh.
Tastykake, in case you’re unaware, is a regional brand of snack cakes. Sorta like Hostess, but better. And people who grew up on them will fight you in the streets if you have a negative word to say about any of it.
Supposedly this guy takes his trunk-full of snacks back to Colorado, freezes them, and doles them out slowly throughout the year. And when there’s an emergency, family members mail him boxes of the things across the continent.
A woman was standing nearby, and said she has an uncle who buys cases and cases of Middleswarth barbecue chips when he comes home to northeastern Pennsylvania. That’s another regional “delicacy,” which I don’t think I’ve ever tried. I might have to remedy that fact today.
And I’d like to use that as the Question of the Day… Are there any regional products that you hoard when possible, because you now live in a place where they’re not available? Maybe something you liked as a kid, and now you’re in a different city?
If not, what products can you imagine would fall into that category, if you ever moved away from where you currently live? What regional products would you have airlifted to your new home in Alaska, or wherever? Please use the comments link below.
And I’ll see you guys again tomorrow.
Have a great day, boys and girls.
Little Debbie snacks are wonderful, and are widely available here in NJ. My cuz used to drive out to western Maryland and stock up.
Is it just my computer or is anyone else having trouble with jumping to comments after clicking on the applicable “recent comment” link?
Every time I get below the Mason/Dixon I load up on salt-cured Smithfield Ham and Amber Jack. Smithfield Ham aka Bastard Brine…that ultra salty ham that when put on a homemade biscuit is orgasm on a bun. Even better on a sweet potato biscuit. And you have to slice it paper-thin.
Mmmmmm
Amber Jack is a ham spread that Smithfield makes. Sold in grocery stores in VA where I grew up….have to order it online up Nort and pay thru the nose.
Hubs ordered us a salt-cured Smithfield ham when we lived in Jersey and were 1st married. I think it cost almost his whole paycheck!
We invited his family over for Christmas and served it. They had never had it before. I’ll just say that alot of glasses of water were consumed that day…lolol
Mrs. Griffin’s BBQ Sauce.
Throw some chicken pieces in a cast iron skillet, cover with Mrs. Griffin’s and bake for a spell until the chicken juice (the fake pumped in kind) is all cooked out – simply excellent BBQ chicken.
Local specialties include Straub’s Beer, Pfaff’s Smoked Christmas Sausage, Vito’s Hoagies (which really aren’t too good any more since Vito retired, but people still order them), and Johnson’s Grocery Hoagies. All but the beer can be shipped. My brother has the sausage and Johnson’s hoagies shipped to Virginia.
I miss the Banana Flip cakes. A folded round sponge cake filled with banana flavored cream. And the good chocolate cupcakes with cream filling and the white squiggle on top. They still make those, but they don’t taste the same. They used to make an orange flavored cupcakes with the squiggle as well. Totally juvenile tastes, but remembered as so good.
heh, your brother has the sausage.
Straub’s beer, man I ain’t had that in a couple of years. My Dad got some as a Christmas gift a few years back and shared a couple with me. I then started working with a guy who grew up near St. Mary’s. He would pick me up a couple of cases when he went home. Funny thing was he didn’t really care for it. Too bad he moved on.
Straub Light is my daily drink of choice.
I am in Wheeling WV. Nickles Bakery across the Ohio River in Martins Ferry, OH still makes banana flips. Plus we have Faygo and Yuengling (sp) and DiCarlo’s Original Pizza and Little Debby cakes and Coleman’s Fish Sandwiches (since 1917).
Guess I am livin’ in a gustatory paradise. Too bad I only do the beer and the fish.
(I may just try the BBQ sauce recipe listed above on my melt-in-your-mouth oven-baked ribs. Thanks.)
My sister who lives in the hell hole of Terre Haute, Indiana, loads up on Tastycake Butterscotch Crimpets everytime she visits. The last time she bought a dozen boxes and polished off half of them on the 9 hour drive back home.
Terre Haute is a complete hellhole. Nothing good about that town… And the traffic! My sympathies to your sis.
Little Debbie Snackcakes are awesome and I’ve shipped them around the US to people. They have a small outlet shop outside of Collegedale, TN where you can buy by the case. For some reason they don’t have tours of the plant.
I used to load up on cases of Yuengling when on golf vacations along the S. Carolina coastline. Now the golden elixir is widely available in Knoxpatch, TN. One of the managers of a local wing joint says Yuengling easily outsells Miller and Bud at his place.
On trips to New Orleans I bring back a cooler of Zapp’s chips and sandwiches from Mother’s. In Austin, TX I used to ship back a cooler filled with food from Chuy’s and Freebird’s.
Man, all this talk of Yuengling is making me want to make a road trip.
About the only thing I can think of that people yearn for when they leave here is the local pizza places pizza. Not sure why, frozen crust and prepackaged ingredients but I guess you miss what you’ve grown up with.
Holy Holly Goodhead! I am freakin’ salivating over my keyboard while reading today’s comments. I am going to go home and chef up somethin’ fierce.
Much better than Sunday’s update, eh!!
One thing I haven’t found outside of Michigan and would end up jonesing for is Vernors Ginger Ale.
It’s totally different from ginger ale everywhere else, much stronger, more carbonated.
Best Ginger Ale ever.
I agree. It has a bite. I think it’s aged in oak barrels.
I’ve always been able to get Vernors in West Virginia. Just thought it was nationally ditributed.
I love me some Verner’s ginger ale…made in Michigan!
Vernor’s is OK, but if I’m going out of my way for a carbonated beverage from Michigan, I’ll take a Bell’s Two Hearted Ale every time.
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Ditto!!
I love a local ginger ale that is super strong and made with real ginger. It’s Buffalo Rock, and it’s not easy to find around here, even though it’s bottled in this part of the state. Once you’ve had a good ginger ale, it’s impossible to go back to Canada Dry.
I always like Old Tyme Jamaican Style Ginger Beer. No idea where it’s made (probably not Jamaica) but it has a nice flavor and a good kick.
Nowadays I make my own: Ginger, lemon juice, sugar and water. Cook briefly, chill, force carbonate to 2.5 atmospheres. Serve.
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Albertson’s has vernors,the finest ginger ale known to man.
Canfield’s Honee Orange Soda (chicago area). Sweetest soda ever made with quite the caffeine buzz afterward too.
Canfield’s was also the first to make diet chocolate fudge soda, and it wasn’t half bad.
Ring Dings are awesome.
Growing up in Western Mass, State Line potato chips were popular. Can’t find em here in Cackylacky.
I tell you what I crave now and then. Those shitty little Totino’s frozen pizzas. For some reason I just love those things. Cooked in a dirty toaster oven, they’re great.
Publix had a deal last Sunday where you could buy them for one cent each (limit 5). I ate all of them within two days.
I also love Totinos cheap pizzas they are great!
I used to haul frozen Skyline to various places although we can get it now at Harris Teeter in Northern Virginia. I’d also found it in Gainesville Florida in the early 90’s. But they didn’t have the BlueGrass hot dogs so I took some back with me after a visit to C-Town.
When I lived in Arizona, I had my brother (who was coming out for a visit) bring me as much Tradewinds Iced Tea (Lemon with a twist of Lime; alas – no longer made) as he could fit in his car.
I’ve trucked Husman’s cheddar cheese popcorn to St. Louis, Florida and Texas.
A time or two I’ve brought back leftover Donato’s pizza with me, in the car. Once I even had them bake the pizza without slicing it in to little pieces like they usually do (to facilitate re-heating it).
And sandwiches from Blue Ash Chili have made both car trips and airplane trips. Those are always eaten later the same day, though.
I wish I could get my hands on some El Charrito Mexican entrees (like they sold in Austin, TX). That stuff was – no doubt – bad for me but soooo good. The best canned chili – in my opinion – is Dennison and I’ve only found it in Phoenix. No doubt it is available elsewhere. Help me out, Surf Reporters!
I’d drive 100 miles to visit a Rax roast beef restaurant, if I could find one!
Just thot of some more:
Maple creme cookies: Best are sold by SoBe in Canada and I hoard them before returning from vacation. But the ones that Safeway sells are pretty close. Also, I can only get the Apple-Cinnamon flavor of Oatmeal Crisp cereal up there. It was discontinued in the U.S. 8 or more years ago.
Another (no longer made): Stegner’s chili dog sauce and mock turtle soup.
I found these wonderful Maple Creme cookies at the local Deals dollar store for ….. one dollar! They are really good!
You can order Dennison’s from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Dennison-Chili-Concarne-Beans-Unit/dp/B000K2CSWG
Oh my………..
Thanks!!!!
I’m having a heck of a time trying to think of something around here that I would miss.
However, and its likely not a regional thing in the US but still a chore to find sometimes, I always go out of my way to try and locate Doritos Fiery Jalapeno chips when I go to the US. Love those things.
How about fresh walleye?
And Yellow Perch….yummmmm
Those Cheetoes with Jalepeno are great – and I don’t even care for Cheetoes.
Luckily I have both in the freezer. I love to fish Erie.
Forgot about the hair thing… I have never had to spend a cent on getting my hair cut. Had a family member in the hair buisness. Then I became a long hair so cutting wasn’t much more involved than lopping off a couple inches every now and then. Now, I cut my own with the clippers. #0. Hard to mess that up.
Peyote is pretty regional (South Texas)…..
I miss pepperoni rolls from my days in West Virginia – especially the ones with pepper jack cheese. I’ve tried to recreate them but haven’t had much success. Also, my college boyfriend lived in New Jersey and would bring me the best bagels. Miss the bagels … don’t miss the boyfriend.
I’m a Pennsylvanian but I’m not a fan of the Middleswarth chips. I don’t think they’re anything special. But if I moved I would definitely miss the Tastykakes and Turkey Hill iced tea and ice cream.
Pepperoni rolls are awesome. Brownie’s Bakery in Marietta used to have them, until they burned down.
I didn’t know until recently that pepperoni rolls were a regional thing.
Most accounts agree that the pepperoni roll was invented at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, West Virginia, by Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro. Although the invention date is sometimes disputed, it was most likely between the late 1920s and the 1940s. Fairmont, located in north central West Virginia, is known as the “pepperoni roll capital of the world.” In this region, the pepperoni roll is widely available in grocery and convenience stores. Because of the regional popularity, church and school groups often sell the pepperoni rolls for fund raising.
Huh.
I read somewhere that pepperoni rolls are illegal to make and sell in most states because under current law they reclassify the baker as a “meat packer”. I’m not sure if that’s true, but it sounds absurd enough to be true.
I understand the meat packers have a parade every year in San Francisco. Somehow, Jason, I always thought of you as more of a cheese packer.
jtb
This is why I come here.
Me too! LMAO!!
I pack cheese like nobody’s business. I have a youtube collection and a small fan club if anyone is interested.
http://www.ghettowebmaster.com/images/mel-ramos-velveeta.jpg
Hood Icecream…..OHYAAAAA
That’s funny you say that you get ill when you are really tired because that’s happened to me so many times over the past few years working in an office, I was starting to convince myself I had some kind of disease or something.
Thought of something else. I do hoard Birch Beer (Pennsylvania Dutch brand) when I go back east.
http://www.daretogodutch.com/homepage.html
OMG, Gretchen, I forgot about Birch Beer! Haven’t had that is YEARS. We lived in Philly when I was little. I remember my dad always bringing it home.
So….good. I’m gonna get two cases when I go home for Christmas. I’ll hoist one in your honor.
Happy Joes has the best taco pizza in the universe. I miss it like crazy.
In STL we have Red Hot Riplets, and I’ve filled many a request for them over the years. The Schnucks in southern IN started carrying them a year ago, so I don’t have to transport as many. Mmm.
Mmmm Red Hot Riplets. I had a friend who used to deliver for them.
Stuff from where I live: Utz chips, especially the dark-roasted ones (I forget the real name). Victory beers. A few years ago I would have said Tuppers’ Hop Pocket Ale, but now that it’s finally being made again it’s just not the same. I should probably also mention half-smokes, but I don’t actually like them that much.
Stuff from where I’m from: the aforementioned Tastykakes, also anything from Drake’s (Ring-Dings, Yodels). Freihofer’s cookies, which don’t seem to be made anymore. Certain non-manufactured foodstuffs, e.g. knishes, Italian ices and zeppole.
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Hudson Bros Ice Cream in Michigan is really good!
I don’t drink much pop anymore but I like IBC root beer and the black cherry soda. Man I miss the old A&W. The new stuff sucks. The old drive-in A&W in Parkersburg was a ratty dirty-looking place but we loved it.
Robinsons Beef Jerky. It is the best beef jerky in the world, and I will murder anyone that disagrees.
http://www.robertsonshams.com/category/JKY.html
You like the Hickory or the Mesquite? I’m about to order some to see if your claim is correct.
Two things come to mind when it comes to regional things. Tasty Tacos, and Big Daddy’s BBQ sauce. Both out of Des Moines, Iowa…and I would kill for both. Seriously.
My wife (Narf), cuts my hair every 10 days with clippers purchased at Walgreens, and to date we have saved $360.00 in a year. After a couple of times, she ended up doing a better job than those gossipy, overcharging, Bi**hes ever did. Did they really want to know how my day was going at 9am? I think not…
Throw some cocoa powder into any pot of chili and you have “cincinnati chili”.. thats the secret ingredient..
I miss Rainier beer sometimes..
I have never tried a Tastykake.. I like Zingers but last time I had the chocolate ones, my sugar went so high i almost went into a coma..i will never touch it again..
There use to be a Schlotskys that made muffalatas and they were awesome
The Turkey Orginal, very much like a muffaletta, is awesome:
http://www.schlotzskys.com/menu/item/id/3
Lori…
Rainier Beer is gone gone gone. So is Olympia. I nursed on Little Olys.
jtb
All is not lost; you can get Deschutes, which is unavailable here in the East.
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Yea, I remember it. Down by the bridge. The root beer was great in those big ol’ frozen glass mugs in the summertime. An actual drive-in! Right before you got to Adkins Fat Boy.
Sorry, Chuck. Meant to reply to your post.
Fat Boy was in the Traffic Circle by the toll bridge. A&W was by the East St. Bridge. They recently tore down the fat boy building…but of course it hadnt been a restaurant for 30 years.
Parkersburg has way too many chain steak houses now. Not too many places where people really cook.
I didn’t mean to come across as a condescending asshole.
At this time.
There was another A&W on Ohio Avenue, right along where Napoli’s is now. I didn’t even remember the one by the East Street Bridge. Your memory is much better than mine!
Texas stuff- Whataburger (much like the aforementioned Sonic)…when I would be driving back to TX from faraway places, that was always my first stop. Dublin Dr. Depper, made with real cane sugar at a small bottling plant in Dublin TX. Getting tamales from the grandmother of some Mexican guy you work with. Taco Casa and/or Chicken Express, small area fast food joints. Any BBQ brisket/sausage from West Central TX, particularly Lockhart. The aforementioned Julio’s chips/salsa from San Angelo. Shiner Bock was not the same after Miller bought them out & started mass producing it in metal tanks.
Ohio- Uncle Ray’s chips…they had crazy flavors. Donato’s Pizza. White Castle. Graeter’s ice cream. Brats at every cook out. Jersey Mike’s subs.
San Fran- Independent taco/burrito shops (esp. Chabela’s/Haight.) Cybelle’s pizza by the slice. Anchor Steam. Humbolt kind bud.
Atlanta- Mrs. Winner’s chicken. Varsity hot dogs. Waffle House (they are everywhere.) Getting peanuts from a roadside stand when going camping in N Ga.
Right on with the Whataburger. They opened a couple on I65 on Alabama, so whenever I go to Birmingham I make a stop. Best burgers ever.
I miss good brisket a lot too. I sometimes do it myself here in Alabama (they want $75 fucking dollars for a brisket at the grocery store) but I also order from the Salt Lick or Coulters sometimes.
A friend of mine did his own “search for the best burger” on a coast to coast road trip.
A lot burgers later, he decided that the Whataburger in Russellville Arkansas produced the best.
And this was a guy who worked 20 years in the restaurant and wine business.
I have yet to travel to Russellville (apparently it is on or near I-40), but it is on my bucket list.
I live about 15 miles from Lockhart. You’ll be happy to know that the Smitty’s vs. Black’s BBQ war is still going strong.
I grew up with Whataburger, too. There are a few of them in Tallahassee, FL. I ate breakfast at one of the original A-frame ones just last month while visiting there.
Blake’s Lotaburger…New Mexico only. As in only! Blake’s has been around since the early ’50’s. I think Whataburger took the twist on the name but they ain’t got a green chili double cheeseburger in Arkansas. Whoa!.
Miller bought Shiner? Fucking South Africans!
According to Jimmy Wales and his merry band of knuckleheads, Gambrinus Corporation owns Shiner. Gambrinus is owned by some Mexican dude. They did up the quantity of beer produced. What type of tanks did they use prior?
Shit I forgot…Fucking Mexicans!
Runza’s from Nebraska. A meat and cabage filled bread pocket of delight. Dorthy Lynch as previously mentioned and anything Wimmers (hot dogs, hams etc.,)
Also for TX: Taco Cabana…you have to eat in to take full advantage of the salsa bar.
From my time in SaMo/LA, I have to add Fatburger, but the edge goes to In & Out. And Izzy’s Deli on Wilshire.
I order boiled peanuts online. If we ever left WV, I don’t think I’d be able to have Tudor’s biscuits mailed to me….that would be sad.
Grandma Utz potato chips. Fried with lard. In the brown bag.
Used to have to go up north to get them, but now sold here in the Glorious People’s Republic of WV.
Gibble’s plain potato chips- again with the lard- An eastern panhandle/PA/MD item.
Hostess Chocodiles- Twinkies dipped in chocolate. Only available out west, in a few states.
Nibble with Gibble’s if you must. But whatever you do, don’t go ’round hungry.
And what’s the difference between “Snyder’s of Hanover” and “Snyder’s of Berlin”? Just wondering.
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According to google maps, about 127 miles.
Good Morning Surf Reporters…..
These comments are better when served reheated…
The first thing I thought when presented the QOTD…
pierogies
Yes, that pierogie belt runs wide, but not too far. Real pierogies, not that Mrs.Paul’s®: shit. Which were actually, with gross audacity, were served in a local restaurant as the real McCoy. I’m not 100% sure, but I think the storefront window was busted out and there was a bitchload of swearing……
Digression.
The pierogie is a complex little dumpling. Far beyond the standard cheese, or potato, or cheese and</i/ potato… they've been stuffed with just about everything else… from venison to spinach…and don't forget the cheese.
penalty….excessive italics…15 yards….repeat 2nd down
Hey JCIII how about Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe hot dogs. I would miss the fuck out of them.
Mmmmmmmm…..Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe! Definately!
Agreed. BHDS chili cheese fries too.
I used to work there as a youth (they love to exploit teen workers: “If you have time to lean you have time to clean”) and for awhile they stored the potatoes in an outside room. I remember cutting potatoes for fries and found some with some little maggots in them and I’m sure some of them made it into the fryer….but hey, the the chili-cheese fries are good!
They do have great milkshakes too, and can call them milkshakes because they use real milk-shake-mix, unlike McDonalds who aren’t allowed to call them ‘milk-shakes’, just ‘Shakes’ because there isn’t hardly any, if at all, milk in them, just artificially flavored chemicals….
I was in Moline for a few weeks years back and picked up a good case of crabs. Never had the itch to go back for more.
Growing up in Flint, MI, there are two things we’ve been known to smuggle back to where ever we currently reside: REAL coney sauce and Koegel hot dogs (for both of us) and pickled bologna (for the wife). We get some strange looks from the TSA when we go through security with 10 lbs of frozen hot dogs in our carry-on, and I don’t even want to know what happens when they x-ray our checked bag with a half-dozen plastic, liquid-filled jars with the lids duct-taped on.
I miss Pizza King! When I go back to Angola it’s the first place I go and the last before I leave. I keep dropping hints to the family about shipping me a pizza on dry ice but they haven’t come through. They have Sir Pizza in the south but none close to where I live now.
Faygo Red Pop rates high on both the taste and burp meter!
How about the burp taste meter?
I concur with many of the things said about Texas (particularly West-Central Texas, where I live also)… Julio’s chips (we have Julio’s restaurants in my locale – Saturday menudo day is fabulous!), Whataburger, Shiner Bock, etc.
But to add to that, we chicken-fry EVERYTHING including pickles.., mmm… fried pickles… frito pie, Texas- style chili, and Lone Star beer which is a decent cheap beer. Texas sushi with jalapenos.
When I lived in Toledo/Bowling Green I liked their thick, beer-battered onion rings and French onion soup. God, I miss that. Great Lakes Beer.
Michigan = Dutch apple pie, cinnamon ice cream, pasties…
If I moved to another part of the country, I would miss Golden Eagle Syrup and Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale. The last time I worked in another state, I loaded the trunk with Buffalo Rock to take with me and ration while I was there.
Here it’s very easy to get green tomatoes at the grocery store to be fried. When I was in California, it took five minutes of explanation to convince the produce manager of Albertson’s that I did not want tomatillos, that I actually wanted an unripe tomato. When he finally got it, he said, “Why would you want that?”
I made the mistake of getting hooked on In-And-Out burgers the last time I worked in California, and will probably never get to eat there again.
When I head home (Northern Maine), I am sure to stock up on Moxie, Fluff and Humpty Dumpty potato chips.
The last item actually requires a trip to Canada, because my favorite flavor (All Dressed) is only sold there. It’s a bag of ALL of the flavors in one bag. It should really be called “Leftovers”.
When I lived in Colorado, there was no way to get to any kind of Saranac beer, Utica Club lager or Kutztown soda. When I came back, it was usually a three day drunk fest, then I flew home. Good times were always had.
Bitter Lemon soda. A nice cool Gin and bitter lemon soda in the summer is great, except you can’t find it in NC supermarkets, so we have to bring it back with us when we travel north.