Texas - "The Lone Star State"

Texas is the second largest state of the United States of America. Geographically located in the south central part of the country, Texas shares an international border with Mexico to the south and borders the U.S. states of New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north, Arkansas to the northeast, and Louisiana to the east. Houston is the largest city in Texas and Austin is the capital of the state. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic, and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal, The origin of the state name, Texas, is from the word, "Tejas", which means 'friends' in the Caddo language. The Caddo Nation is a confederacy of several Southeastern Native American tribes. Their ancestors traditionally inhabited much of what is now East Texas, northern Louisiana and portions of southern Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Due to its size and geologic features, Texas contains diverse landscapes that resemble both the American South and Southwest. Although popularly associated with the Southwestern deserts, less than 10 percent of Texas' land area is desert. Most of the population centers are located in areas of former prairies, grasslands, forests, and the coastline. Traveling from east to west, one can observe terrain that ranges from coastal swamps and piney woods, to rolling plains and rugged hills, and finally the desert and mountains of the Big Bend.

One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy. The state's economic fortunes changed in the early 20th century, when oil discoveries initiated an economic boom in the state. With strong investments in universities, Texas developed a diversified economy and high tech industry in the mid-20th century. Until 2010, Texas shared the top of the list of the most Fortune 500 companies with California at 57.With a growing base of industry, the state leads in many industries, including agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences.

Texas is a large state, and its cuisine is influenced from a wide range of cultural influences, including German, British, Mexican, Native American, and some Italian. Texas Barbeque, hamburgers, Steaks and Tex-Mex is among the popular cooking that state Texas can offer. Texas is known for its own variation of chili con carne. Texas red chili is an ingredient in Frito pie, a dish made with the eponymous Fritos corn chip, invented in Texas and produced by Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay corporation. As part of the experience of getting to know 50 States popular dish, we made a visit to Texas Rhodehouse in Tempe, AZ to have a taste of what Texas cuisine has to offer.  Texas Roadhouse is an American chain restaurant that specializes in steaks and promotes a Western theme. While enjoyed a cup of Texas Red Chilie, a "fall-of-the bone" barbeque ribs, we could not help ourselves not completing  our experience with a filet mignon that Texas Rhode House decided to call "Dallas Fillet".

West Virginia - "The Mountain State"

West Virginia  is a state located in the Appalachian region of the United States.  The Appalachian Mountains often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period and once reached elevations similar to those of the Alps and the Rocky Mountains before they were eroded. Appalachia is a cultural region in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. West Virginia is bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the north and Maryland to the northeast. The capital and largest city is Charleston. The state is noted for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. The karst lands contribute to much of the state's cool trout waters. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and hunting.

In 1861, as the United States itself became massively divided over regional issues, leading to the American Civil War (1861–1865), the western regions of Virginia split with the eastern portion politically, and the two were never reconciled as a single state again. The growing differences between Eastern and Western Virginia in the mid 1800's contributed to WV's desire to become a separate state. Issues included: National Political Leaders, Attitudes toward Voting, Geographical influences, and their disapproval of slavery. In June 20th of 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state.

West Virginia cuisine like many other states has a few favorite dish to offer, however the pepperoni roll is know to be a snack popular in West Virginia and some nearby regions of the Appalachian Mountains. It is ubiquitous in West Virginia, particularly in convenience stores, and is arguably the food most closely associated with the state. The pepperoni roll was invented by Giuseppe "Joseph" Argiro at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1927. The rolls originated as a lunch option for the coal miners of north-central West Virginia in the first half of the 20th century. Pepperoni rolls do not need to be refrigerated for storage and could readily be packed for lunch by miners. Pepperoni and other Italian foods became popular in north-central West Virginia in the early 20th century, when the booming mines and railroads attracted many immigrants from Italy. The pepperoni roll bears a resemblance to the pasty and sausage roll, which originated in the mining communities of Great Britain, as well as the Italian calzone.
As the bread bakes, the spicy oil in the pepperoni melts and oozes into the bread. Sub Bro at O2 Lounge, a bar located in Glendale, AZ takes some liberties with the original design. O2 Lounge is a colorful neighborhood joint where staff is friendly, offers eclectic food and a diverse environment. You can enjoy a variety of bar games, while listening to music played by DJ. The Pepperoni rolls are kept frozen at O2 Lounge and it take some time before it is ready to serve. This maybe the only difference observed between the original recipe from way back in time, however it is somehow in line with the kind of variations you'll find in West Virginia today.