I live near Sacramento, CA, and have a colleague who is from Oklahoma - a total Southern man, misses his mama's great cooking. It is hard to find GOOD southern cooking here...we talk a lot about southern food, soul food, because I'm a southern CA girl and have never been exposed to it, and I'm interested in it. I went to Lake Tahoe and stopped at Womack's, a hole in the wall with no atmosphere, but great food. There, I had my first sweet tea, and I am hooked! (not good for my diabetes, I'm sure, but it is a rare treat!).

Long story short, I think regional food - outside of its region - if it is done well - will attract people of that region AND foodies. I certainly eat at Womack's every time I go to Tahoe, and that is quite often.

I still, however, have yet to find any thick fried bologna - my friend said he misses that!!