alvarezmahon's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Leaderboard Highlights
alvarezmahon's activity rankings
1st
Places visited in Dubrovnik, Croatia
1st
Places visited in Sleepy Hollow, New York
1st
Places visited in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
2nd
Places visited in Durham, New Hampshire
3rd
Places visited in Concord, New Hampshire
3rd
Places visited in Winthrop, Massachusetts
Chop Suey Sandwich
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Chop Suey Sandwich

In the 19th century, Chinese immigrants developed an early New England fusion sandwich that is divisive as it is salty.
Gastro Obscura
Tea Dance
Gastro Obscura
Story

Tea Dance

The surprisingly subversive history of dancing over afternoon tea.
Gastro Obscura
Emily Dickinson's Black Cake
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Emily Dickinson's Black Cake

This brandy-spiked recipe reveals the reclusive poet was actually a well-known baker.
Gastro Obscura
Joe Froggers
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Joe Froggers

The legend of these rum-and-molasses cookies leads to a New England tavern owned by a Black Revolutionary War veteran.
Gastro Obscura
Awful Awful
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Awful Awful

This Jersey-born frosty drink is now a Rhode Island favorite.
Gastro Obscura
Clarified Milk Punch
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Clarified Milk Punch

Just so we’re clear, there is actually milk in this old English punch.
Gastro Obscura
Coffee Jelly
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Coffee Jelly

Leftover coffee plus gelatin equals this vintage dessert.
Gastro Obscura
Marlborough Pie
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Marlborough Pie

A custardy twist on apple pie finds delicious use for fruit reaching spoilage.
Gastro Obscura
St. Martin's Croissant
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

St. Martin's Croissant

Bakers fold this Polish pastry 81 times into the shape of a horseshoe.
Gastro Obscura
Pennsylvania Pretzel Art
Gastro Obscura
Story

Pennsylvania Pretzel Art

In Langhorne, Pennsylvania, two brothers decided to take their doughy creations to the next level.
Gastro Obscura
Pongala
Gastro Obscura
Story

Pongala

This annual offering involves four million women, one goddess, and incredible quantities of rice pudding.
Gastro Obscura
Grisette
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Grisette

Make like a 19th-century Belgian miner and cool off with this refreshing ale.
Gastro Obscura
Pacific Razor Clams
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Pacific Razor Clams

It takes patience and skill to harvest these delicious bivalves.
Gastro Obscura
Whole Roasted Camel
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Whole Roasted Camel

Typically reserved for special occasions, the massive meal can be bought for a hefty sum at restaurants in Qatar.
Gastro Obscura
The Puffing Gun
Gastro Obscura
Story

The Puffing Gun

Many popular cereals exploded out of its chamber and into existence.
Gastro Obscura
World Oyster Opening Championship
Gastro Obscura
Story
Food Festivals

World Oyster Opening Championship

Welcome to the olympics of oyster shucking.
Gastro Obscura
Tchoukoutou
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Tchoukoutou

In Togolese markets, locals socialize over gourds of this sweet-and-sour sorghum beer.
Gastro Obscura
Canelazo
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Canelazo

A sweet, warm cocktail to chase away the chill of Andean nights.
Gastro Obscura
Sugar Toad
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Sugar Toad

Chefs carefully detoxify this East Coast pufferfish to create sweet, fried “chicken wings of the sea.”
Gastro Obscura
Akabanga Chili Oil
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Akabanga Chili Oil

The Rwandan condiment is so spicy, it's served with eyedroppers.
Gastro Obscura
Bastard Oleaster
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Bastard Oleaster

Northeast Indian markets sell this glittery, sour fruit in bags with salt chasers.
Gastro Obscura
Russian Tea
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Russian Tea

This Southern church group favorite isn't Slavic at all.
Gastro Obscura
Strasbourg Hospital Wines
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Strasbourg Hospital Wines

You can still drink riesling and pinot noir from this medieval cellar.
Gastro Obscura
Cemetery Cider
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Cemetery Cider

Each batch begins with an apple tree overlooking Samuel Morse's grave.
Gastro Obscura