Foods Robert Pakko Has Tried

Just so we’re clear, there is actually milk in this old English punch.

An obscure Italian amaro became the pride of Pittsburgh.

After thriving during Prohibition, this soda fountain staple was immortalized in a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Smells like lavender, tastes like lemon rind, looks like a gnarled claw fresh from your nightmares. 

A pharmaceutical company developed this beverage as drinkable IV solution.

One fantasy food's journey from sci-fi vegan steak to silver screen cannibalism to actual meal replacement.

The oldest fruit native to North America is probably the least known.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, vendors sell skewered, sugar-coated berries.

Every morning, Chinese vendors sling savory, crispy crepes to lines of patient fans.

This is one expensive load of crap.

Beneath its serpent-like skin lies pineapple-flavored flesh.

Follow your nose through Taipei for this crispy, warm street snack.

The city loves hot sausage slathered with cold cream cheese.

This staple sandwich of Brooklyn delis has become a symbol of gentrification.

A fizzy, chocolate drink that harkens back to the days of Brooklyn soda fountains.

A cake as dark as a city hiding from enemy bombers.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a classic Midwestern treat!

Produced since 1847, these classic New England candies almost disappeared in 2018.

Palm weevil larvae make succulent street snacks in the Amazon.

Peru's purple drink made from purple corn.

One of the world's least-loved liquors calls Chicago home.

The South Side favorite is a cross between a meat-lover's sub and a gyro.

When life gives you lemons, this tropical fruit makes 'em taste like lemonade.

A New England tradition of steaming bread in coffee tins gave rise to this niche snack.