Sam OBrien's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Chile Cobanero
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Chile Cobanero

This signature pepper has been a hot commodity since the Maya era.
Gastro Obscura
New York Charlotte Russe
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

New York Charlotte Russe

The dainty, cream-filled specialty is on the brink of extinction.
Gastro Obscura
Kartoshka
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Kartoshka

Soviet cafeterias whipped up this chocolate “potato” to use leftovers.
Gastro Obscura
Egg Cream
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Egg Cream

A fizzy, chocolate drink that harkens back to the days of Brooklyn soda fountains.
Gastro Obscura
Tacos de Ojo
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Tacos de Ojo

Cow eyes make a juicy and gelatinous taco filling.
Gastro Obscura
Tacos de Sesos
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Tacos de Sesos

Grilled or braised, these brains make a tasty taco.
Gastro Obscura
Tepache
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Tepache

This fizzy, tropical drink has ancient roots in Mexico.
Gastro Obscura
Chapulines
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Chapulines

Deep-fried grasshoppers make a tangy, crispy taco filling.
Gastro Obscura
Cajeta
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Cajeta

In the city of Celaya, goat's milk caramel tops everything from ice cream to cereal.
Gastro Obscura
Pulque
Gastro Obscura
Story

Pulque

Tequila's ancient, fermented cousin is making a comeback in Mexico City.
Gastro Obscura
Haggis Spice Chocolate
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Haggis Spice Chocolate

A very non-vegan dish inspired this vegan chocolate.
Gastro Obscura
Necco Wafers
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Necco Wafers

Produced since 1847, these classic New England candies almost disappeared in 2018.
Gastro Obscura
Chocolate-Covered Cinnamon Bears
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Chocolate-Covered Cinnamon Bears

The gummies are taking over Utah.
Gastro Obscura
Escamoles
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Escamoles

The eggs of "the farty ant" have earned a reputation as the caviar of the desert.
Gastro Obscura
Jumiles
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Jumiles

These Mexican bugs taste like cinnamon and alleviate arthritis pain.
Gastro Obscura
Barmbrack
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Barmbrack

The Irish bread comes with raisins and omens.
Gastro Obscura
Pineapple Bun
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Pineapple Bun

This sweet treat is so beloved in Hong Kong, it inspired an animated movie.
Gastro Obscura
Lanzi's Cashew Nut & Rice Crunch
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Lanzi's Cashew Nut & Rice Crunch

Candy makers recently resurrected this crispy Chicago confection from the graveyard of vintage sweets.
Gastro Obscura
Żubrówka
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Żubrówka

The same grass that feeds massive European bison adds notes of vanilla and lavender to this unique Polish vodka.
Gastro Obscura
Shahi Tukda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Shahi Tukda

This sugar-soaked South Asian sweet isn’t your basic bread pudding.
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
The Lunchbox
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

The Lunchbox

Oklahoma City's signature cocktail calls for a frosty mug, a shot of amaretto, Coors Light, and orange juice.
Gastro Obscura
Frog Eye Salad
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Frog Eye Salad

Don’t worry: This sweet, creamy Mormon potluck staple isn’t actually made of frogs.
Gastro Obscura
King Cake
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

King Cake

The Carnival cake comes with a hidden baby Jesus inside.
Gastro Obscura