Did You Know the West Coast Invented These Iconic Foods?

From landmarks like the Hollywood sign and Golden Gate Bridge to the seemingly endless sunshine, you have to admit that the West Coast is pretty iconic. Of course, the area’s fame isn’t confined to mesmerizing sights: It also applies to what’s on your plate.

In addition to offering mouthwatering takes on mocktails and caviar, many popular dishes and drinks actually originated in the West Coast. Enhance your foodie IQ and read their stories below.

Fettuccine Alfredo

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The next time you have fettuccine alfredo stateside, you can thank the Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood. Back in the 1920s, silent film stars (and future founders of United Artists) Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford honeymooned in Rome and had the most delicious pasta dish: Long, flat noodles coated in a rich, buttery parmesan sauce. The couple begged the chef for the recipe and brought it to the Los Angeles restaurant, which has been making it since.

Cobb Salad

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Robert “Bob” Cobb probably had no idea he’d invent a culinary icon when he was poking around the Brown Derby’s kitchen one night in 1937. You see, the owner of the Los Angeles was starving and cobbled together a salad with a bunch of ingredients. (Bacon? Sure. Blue cheese crumbles? Add ‘em. Hard-boiled eggs? Why not!)

Rumor has it, Cobb served his hodgepodge salad to friend Sid Grauman of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, who would ask for the Cobb Salad. Though the leafy dish has gone through a few iterations over the years—some people add seafood, others swap out the original vinaigrette for creamy buttermilk or Green Goddess dressing—you can always trust this salad will be packed with lots of yummy toppings. 

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Courtesy of Palace Hotel

Speaking of salad dressing, did you know Green Goddess is a San Francisco native? Philip Roemer, executive chef at the Palace Hotel, originally crafted the dressing in 1923 to honor actor George Arliss, who was staying at the property while performing a play called The Green Goddess. 

Inspired by French cuisine—with a California twist, of course—Chef Roemer brought the creamy blend to life with Dijon mustard, egg yolks, spinach, garlic, as well as lots of herbs such as chives and tarragon.  Now, over a decade later, guests can still enjoy the time-honored recipe in the hotel’s Garden Court restaurant—preferrably over a chilled Dungeness crab salad.

Mai Tai

Courtesy of Trader Vic’s

Anyone who is craving a cocktail with a kick should Mosey over to Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, which is famously home to the Mai Tai. 

Legend has it, founder Victor Bergeron experimented with plenty of rum cocktails but landed on a memorable concoction in 1944: 17-year-old Jamaican J. Wray Nephew rum paired with hard rock candy syrup, orange curaçao, French orgeat, lime for color, and lots of shaved ice. He served the elixir to two friends from Tahiti, who gave the libation rave reviews.“Mai tai, roa ae,” they said, which roughly translates to, “Out of this world, the best.” 

The Mai Tai catapulted into cocktail fame when Bergeron was asked to formalize the recipe for the bars at Hawaii’s Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider hotels.

Want to pair your tiki cocktail with an equally iconic bite? According to the restaurant, Trader Vic’s also claims to have originated the crab rangoon back in the 1940s. 

Rocky Road Ice Cream

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Out West, dessert is best served with a side of mystery. There are some things we definitely know about Rocky Road ice cream: The mix of chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows traces back to Oakland in 1929. In fact, the name “Rocky Road” has ties to the Great Depression. 

But who exactly invented the flavor? Well, it depends who you ask. While many people think Dreyer’s Ice Cream is responsible for this sweet treat, others are convinced the praise belongs to Fentons Creamery. Either way, you have to admit whoever developed the dessert was onto something delicious.