In this installment of Best of the Hotline, we're reminded of odd flavor combinations that somehow work.
We all have that one dish that's a curious combination of flavors. Often described as "weird but good," it's the one that makes all your friends grimace —until they try it. Be it salty and sweet, or something else that defies definition, it's a food that holds special meaning to our taste buds.
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A while ago, drbabs asked the Hotline for fellow Food52ers' favorite "weird food combinations that are strangely good." Here at the office we love to talk about strange but good foods (like what should—and shouldn't—be eaten with peanut butter) and it seems like you do, too. From nostalgic childhood snacks to new discoveries, here are some of your most interesting food pairings:
- Adding crushed-up potato chips to sandwiches struck a chord with a number of Food52ers, with folks all agreeing that it was a delicious (if unexpected) condiment. Both sdebrango and SKK remembered adding them to bologna sandwiches on white bread.
- Drbabs reminisced about a dish her mother used to make that called for a can of chopped spinach to be mixed with a can of cream of chicken soup. While she's tried to create it using "real" ingredients, she can't quite match that nostalgic flavor that the canned soup provides.
- JenS and healthierkitchen both recalled ordering hot dogs with peanut butter.
- Hilarybee's mother set out orange slices with black pepper on top, for a sweet and savory combination.
- Sabele suggested dipping cheddar cheese into a mug of hot chocolate.
- Danielle Oron promised that vanilla ice cream with date syrup, halva, and tahini paste tastes much better than it sounds.
- SexyLAMBCHOPx loved fries with brown gravy.
- Stalk My Kitchen remembered dipping Wendy's fries into a chocolate Frosty for a sweet-salty combination that resonated with a lot of responders.
What are your favorite weird food combinations? Tell us in the comments below!
Written by: Taylor Rondestvedt
Popular on Food52
147 Comments
Jenna F.
May 23, 2019
As a child I always loved to dip original pretzel crisps in plain apple sauce. It doesn’t seem that weird because sweet and salty, but most people don’t think to do it.
Ive P.
December 12, 2017
Red grapes with a drizzling of really good Olive oil and a dash or two of salt. Yumm with an Italian salami sandwich.
Jennifer M.
December 12, 2017
Buttermilk and honey on oatmeal. Buttered toast dipped in hot chocolate.
Soft boiled eggs in torn up white bread.
Comfort food. Yummy
Soft boiled eggs in torn up white bread.
Comfort food. Yummy
Lizzie S.
December 12, 2017
Peanut butter and mustard, noodles and grape jelly, strawberry jelly on grilled cheese, tartar sauce on tater tots, fig jelly on pizza.
Toraaki V.
December 12, 2017
Mashed potatoes with green grapes, lentils with banana, I used to make a sandwich with cheese, ham and strawberry jam.
ellen
December 12, 2017
My mom used to make us radish sandwiches: white Sunbeam bread, tons of butter, lots of sliced radishes & salt. Much easier to eat if you just use 1 slice of bread & fold it over like a taco. Absolutely delicious! She'd also make this comfort/sick food for us where she'd take equal amounts of sunny side up eggs & mashed potatoes & mash them together w a fork w salt & pepper. So good! I still eat both of these very happily & people think I'm insane. Maybe it was an Iowa thing...
Hollis R.
December 12, 2017
they both sound delish -- ESPECIALLY the radish sandwiches. i even have 6 different kinds of salt to choose from! i'm thinking of using Challah instead of white Sunbeab, though.
Linda L.
August 21, 2017
Don't remember where I saw this but it has always been a favorite. A can of green peas (drained), a can of LA CHOY chop suey vegetables (drained),, a can of cream of mushroom soup (not diluted), mixed together and heated until bubbly. Yum.
Nan R.
August 20, 2017
Hershey's chocolate sauce on leftover cold spaghetti noodles. When I was a kid, I'd eat it (sitting in front of the fridge) before my parents woke up.
Connie J.
August 19, 2017
Saltines crackers with cheddar cheese and sweet pickles
McDonald's French fries dipped in Sweet n' Sour sauce
Melted Parmesan cheese on hotdogs
McDonald's French fries dipped in Sweet n' Sour sauce
Melted Parmesan cheese on hotdogs
Hollis R.
August 18, 2017
Schmaltz, tomato, and onion on a firm bread, like rye. the schmaltz has to be spreadable, so right from the fridge, not room temp.
Carolyn S.
August 18, 2017
A friend drank pickle juice spritzers when she was pregnant...
Cottage cheese and applesauce mixed together, albeit not too weird, is delicious. As is mixing mayo and salsa as a dip for artichokes.
Cottage cheese and applesauce mixed together, albeit not too weird, is delicious. As is mixing mayo and salsa as a dip for artichokes.
Linda L.
August 18, 2017
I must be the weirdest one here since I've not see this mentioned. When I was a kid, my mom would cook fresh squash and onions (mashed). If there were leftovers, I would make mashed squash (cold) and mayo sandwiches. It was my most favorite thing. Haven't tried one again as an adult, but think I would still like it.
carla S.
August 17, 2017
Rice and black beans with a banana. Doesn't sound like a weird combination in my country...
Toraaki V.
August 21, 2017
I love my rice with banana, also lentils soup with banana. it's awesome. Where are you from? in Mexico is usuall too.
Chad S.
August 17, 2017
These are all crazy! I feel like I must have been a depraved child...we only did thick slices of summer sausage with grape jelly on them.
Shannon E.
May 31, 2017
Cheez-it crackers (original or cheddar jack) and chocolate chips is the best random combination
Heather A.
May 30, 2017
Boar's head bologna with Mayo on Raisin Bread is a Favorite. Another is Sour Patch Kids mixed with Sour Cream and onion Ruffle Chips.
Liz M.
May 29, 2017
I've got to add peanut butter and green olive sandwiches to this list. It MUST be the martini olives with the pimento in the center.
Also toast/crackers/rice cakes with tahini and sauerkraut or kim chi on top. Amazing!
Also toast/crackers/rice cakes with tahini and sauerkraut or kim chi on top. Amazing!
Julie B.
May 29, 2017
Peanut butter and bacon on toast
Merilynch
May 29, 2017
I always loved this. In fact I'm frying the bacon right now for a PB&B sandwich. I can't believe so many people have never even heard of this.
Dietra T.
May 29, 2017
Yes! I get such odds looks when I suggest this, but it's so good. Excellent b'fast when you are going to need some serious energy.
Maria D.
May 29, 2017
Sandwich combos that I loved as a child - Vegemite , cheese and celery. Ham, tomato, vegemite and cheese
As an adult- peanut butter, raw red onion & Sriacha .... Dubbed poor mans satay!
The Raman combos are endless, but Trident hot and spicy noodles with a can of lemon pepper flavoured tuna and a small tin of corn kernels and the half dead stray green onion kicking about the bottom of the vege 'crisper'!!
As an adult- peanut butter, raw red onion & Sriacha .... Dubbed poor mans satay!
The Raman combos are endless, but Trident hot and spicy noodles with a can of lemon pepper flavoured tuna and a small tin of corn kernels and the half dead stray green onion kicking about the bottom of the vege 'crisper'!!
Annice
May 29, 2017
Speaking of potato chips, has anyone ever dipped potato chips in grape jelly? It's fantastic, give it a try.
Johanna T.
April 15, 2017
I grew up with tomato & sugar sandwiches . My grandmother in Ireland made them for my sister & I . The bread was Irish soda bread & she spread it with Irish butter & then the filling . It was awesome
Joan B.
April 14, 2017
Peanut butter on bread topped with corn relish or mustard pickle. It was a revelation when I realized there was no law saying peanut butter needed to be paired with sweet things.
eileenwho
April 14, 2017
fresh slices of tomato sprinkled with sugar -- the sugar dissolves slightly into the tomato and really brings out flavor!
Nancy M.
April 13, 2017
This is all so disturbing. Good lord who thinks of this stuff. That said, I will be having cheddar cheese and marmalade on my toast tomorrow morning. It can't come soon enough.
Kimberly L.
August 4, 2016
1. PB & mayo sandwich - best family tradition ever. Sometimes with lettuce, or lettuce & a slice of cheese.
2. Vanilla ice cream with a few dashes of soy sauce. I now realize its the sweet/salty thing, but as a kid I just knew it was awesome.
3. A veggie sausage patty topped with almond butter and hot sauce.
4. Coffee & coke. Usually over ice but not even necessary. It's a great way to finish up leftover coffee (if thats ever a thing).
... Thank you to this article for reminding me of all these favorites!!
2. Vanilla ice cream with a few dashes of soy sauce. I now realize its the sweet/salty thing, but as a kid I just knew it was awesome.
3. A veggie sausage patty topped with almond butter and hot sauce.
4. Coffee & coke. Usually over ice but not even necessary. It's a great way to finish up leftover coffee (if thats ever a thing).
... Thank you to this article for reminding me of all these favorites!!
Barbara C.
November 3, 2015
I've seen a few of you talk about peanut butter and potato chips, but that's only good when there's jelly in the sandwich too!
Nicole H.
October 25, 2015
When I was little, my family would always dip Doritos in French onion dip.. the kind you normally use with potato chips. Something about the cheese-y Doritos paired with the creamy dip was so good!
Lisa S.
October 22, 2015
My mom used to crave Cheeze Itz and horseradish when she was pregnant. Said it reminded her of the state fair when she was little. It is shockingly good.
Christina R.
October 19, 2015
As kids we loved dipping chicken nuggets into honey, and of course fries into ranch dressing. My dad's comfort food was saltine crackers slightly broken up into a bowl & covered with milk, like salty cereal.
Taylor R.
October 19, 2015
My favorite childhood snack was goldfish crackers in cottage cheese. I don't know why, but this always reminds me of summer!
eliza B.
October 19, 2015
My dad's deliciously weird childhood sandwich: peanut butter on one side, mayo on the other, lettuce in between. On soft wheat or white bread. Tangy, salty, sweet and crunchy all in one.
Kimberly L.
August 4, 2016
Yes!! My sister and I grew up loving peanut butter and mayonaisse sandwiches (as did our dad and grandmother). Definitely unexpected but somehoe it works! Rarely can i get anyone to try it but those that have love it! I later experimented, adding lettuce snd, sometimes, lettuce amd cheese. Delicious. And still my comfort food.
Julia H.
October 18, 2015
My all time favorite is Graham crackers, preferably cinnamon, and milk...served in a bowl, like cereal.
When I was little, my mom used to make me sliced bananas with sour cream and, on occasion, pickles and mayonnaise sandwiches.
When I was little, my mom used to make me sliced bananas with sour cream and, on occasion, pickles and mayonnaise sandwiches.
Elle
October 18, 2015
On the rare occasions we would get McDonalds breakfast as a kid, I would cover my hash brown in a packet of grape jelly. I absolutely loved it then, but not sure how 30 year old me feels about it today.
Marie
October 18, 2015
toast with peanut butter, slices of heirloom tomatoes, and sea salt. absolutely surprisingly delicious
Joanna M.
October 16, 2015
Adding sauerkraut to my PB & J sandwich. A random, but delicious discovery when I couldn't stand the thought of a lukewarm dorm hotdog. Desperate times call for delicious measures!
Anne
October 16, 2015
Three things: ham + dill pickle + cream cheese, rolled up and sliced sushi style. In the midwest we call it the "pickle roll-up" or I've also heard it referred to as "minnesota sushi". I introduced my friends in Austin to this marvel that has been a tradition in my family for years and they all went bonkers for it. just trust me on this one.
Kathleen H.
October 16, 2015
Wheat toast, cream cheese and salsa. Poor woman's bruschetta! Ate it all through college.
Ann
October 9, 2015
How about a toasted bagel (everything is a favorite) with cream cheese on one half, studded with raisins and sunflower seeds and butter on the other half then sprinkled with cinnamon and garlic salt then you layer sliced apple, sliced cucumber and onion between them. There is a guy who makes this combo at SIU Carbondale and sells it at a stand. Tried this about 10 years ago and still obsess over it. We even make it at home. So. Good.
kerri
October 9, 2015
peanut butter on French toast, and cream cheese on waffles - a must with our family
Loves F.
October 9, 2015
Oooh, one more (it must be an Eastern Euro thing): My dad remembered cabbage strudel from his childhood, so we always made my Oma's cabbage rolls (basically fried egg rolls, but the filling is just sauteed cabbage with salt & pepper), topped with powdered sugar always, and jam sometimes. SO GOOD.
Loves F.
October 9, 2015
WHAT! That date/halva/tahini ice cream sundae sounds amazing, not weird sounding at all! My sister and my favorite chips-on-sandwiches combos are PBJ with either nacho cheese doritos or crunchy cheetos! And I've been to a few places with peanut butter on hamburgers, which is so good! My husband and a friend grew up putting pretzels in (top)ramen, which sounds like a terrible soggy mess to me, but they both swear by it!
Caitlyn @.
October 9, 2015
I was definitely a McD fries in a strawberry shake kind of kid. The other weird combo I like is pepperoni, peanut butter, and jalapeno on my pizza. If you've ever been up North in Minnesota you'll know that Zorbaz has this delicious combo.
Judi S.
October 9, 2015
My mom would make some chicken for dinner and serve it with mashed potatoes, canned corn, and applesauce all separate, but I thought it was delicious to mix them all together. Also, I worked at a skating rink in high school behind the snack bar. My life changed when I dipped the soft pretzel into the vanilla soft serve ice cream!
BDAtlanta
October 6, 2015
Maple syrup and peanut butter sandwiches. Mix pb and syrup first and then spread on bread
Mary R.
October 5, 2015
Here in Nebraska we enjoy eating cinnamon rolls dipped in our chili. I also like peanut butter and pickle sandwiches or peanut butter with ham and Swiss cheese.
Colleen H.
October 5, 2015
My step mom used to make this bizarre sandwich that I was addicted to (and still think is good): toasted bread, peanut butter on one slice, mayonnaise on the other, a slice of American cheese and tomato. I swear it was great!
Rebecca F.
October 5, 2015
Caponata has raisins and eggplant....sounds truly strange, tastes amazing!
Zuri
October 5, 2015
Cookies and cheddar cheese, dipping saltines into hot chocolate, grape jelly on saltines, ketchup on Mac and cheese. I could go on, since I was little I eat weird things. Lol
Kate F.
October 5, 2015
I have since developed a peach allergy and can't eat this anymore, but peanut butter and peaches on white bread. Slightly odder but also good, peanut butter on white bread with mango chutney.
Christina @.
October 5, 2015
Baked beans on hot dogs, plain chips (ridge-y ones are the best) dipped in (warm) barbecue sauce
Marta M.
October 5, 2015
Almond butter mixed in cottage cheese. Blondies with Newcastle ale and sharp cheddar cheese. And this goodie from my Texas childhood, room temperature slice of white bread, Kraft cheese slice, boiled hot dog inside those two. The cheese heats up and melds it all together on the most amazing way!
Joann
October 5, 2015
Baked beans, mayo, and dill pickle sandwiches. The best munchie cure ever.
Peanut butter, mayo, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.
Raw cauliflower with mustard.
Bolonga, potato chips, spread with French Onion dip sandwich.
Peanut butter, mayo, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.
Raw cauliflower with mustard.
Bolonga, potato chips, spread with French Onion dip sandwich.
lindsay |.
October 5, 2015
As a kid, I used to like eating mayonnaise and banana sandwiches, but I cannot even begin to fathom doing that now. Drinks with vinegar, like shrubs, still seem kind of weird (but good) to me.
Suzi
October 5, 2015
Heaping tablespoon of goat cheese in tomato soup with cracklins. Lay's chips dipped in mustard, mayo and shredded cheddar cheese. Warm the last of the jelly in the jar and pour over pancakes. Pimento cheese melted on a burger.
Linda R.
October 5, 2015
Peanut butter and pickle sandwiches from my great aunt, vanilla ice cream in a cantaloupe with black pepper from my cousin in Colorado and cold cooked broccoli dipped in mayo from me.
Kathi K.
October 5, 2015
When we were little my mother combined two favorite comfort foods to stretch the grocery dollars a bit during wintertime, which I still enjoy together from time to time: grits and Campbell's Chunky Beef Soup. Warm, creamy, savory, and oh-so-filling.
Sewassbe
October 4, 2015
Pretzel sticks with T. Marzetti's ranch dip. I think it's the sugar in the dip, because it's ridiculously addictive. And of course horrible for you. I second the french fries and frostys, but I prefer to dip mine in chocolate malts. And, in the potato and chocolate camp, fellow North Dakotans will probably also chime in on the chocolate-covered potato chip phenomenon in Fargo. Love those things.
And for all you other midwesterners, here's a nostalgic one: cinnamon swirl bread (the round kind!) spread with cheese whiz and garnished with a slice pimento-stuffed green olive. I always picked the olive off as a child, but devoured the rest.
And for all you other midwesterners, here's a nostalgic one: cinnamon swirl bread (the round kind!) spread with cheese whiz and garnished with a slice pimento-stuffed green olive. I always picked the olive off as a child, but devoured the rest.
CandiceHope
October 4, 2015
I love carrots dipped in chunky peanut butter. Also, nostalgic love for store bought frozen meatballs thrown into a crock pot with a can of jellied cranberry sauce, a big spoonful of brown sugar and garlic. I'm sure my mom clipped it out of a TV guide ad in the 80s.
Lisa A.
October 4, 2015
Peanut butter and dill pickles.
Pinto beans with a dollop of mayo.
Saltine, American cheese and dill pickle stackers.
Tortilla chip with peanut butter.
Pinto beans with a dollop of mayo.
Saltine, American cheese and dill pickle stackers.
Tortilla chip with peanut butter.
FiberVoodoo
October 4, 2015
I make Rainier cherry/Basil jam every year to go with the duck that I raise. My favorite weird comb is an Anchovy/Cream Cheese sandwich with sliced cucumbers on pumpernickel bread
Jackie D.
October 4, 2015
Raisins in meatballs, pickles and American cheese, cream cheese spread on sliced salami, ketchup on fried chicken.
Lisa J.
October 4, 2015
Bar-b-que Fritos dipped in chocolate ice cream! Delish! French fries with bar-b-que sauce, strawberry jam with black pepper on a English muffin. Hot pepper jelly on hamburgers.
harrisson
October 4, 2015
Family tradition: waffles with butter, maple syrup (wait.....) and sausage gravy and chili sauce.......my mother added a fried egg but that was going too far...
kellikakes
October 4, 2015
I grew up on jelly and cheddar cheese sandwiches (never heated them). I still eat them.... The salt and the sweet with a glass of milk is my favorite comfort food. I thought every one ate these until I went to college.
Suzanne H.
October 4, 2015
Peanut butter and potato chip sandwiches. Cream cheese and green olive sandwiches.
beejay45
October 7, 2015
I'll go you one better -- sandwich with peanut butter on one slice and cream cheese and green olives on the other, put them together and it's creamy and salty and tangy. ;) Also, my mom used to cook carrot and hot dog coins in plain tomato sauce and serve them with (not on) mashed potatoes when I was sick. LOL! Really, it's good.
NoClub N.
October 4, 2015
Dipping banana into crushed potato chips. The sweet and salt and spice is nice.
Liz
October 4, 2015
50+ years ago my dad used to eat orange marmalade and sharp cheese on toast. Take that quince paste and blue cheese eaters! Can't say the marmalade was as good as the current combo though.
Heather
October 4, 2015
My teenage son eats dill pickle & peanut butter sandwiches. I tried it once....yuck!
John S.
October 4, 2015
I don't know if it's a weird combination but I love to dip both my steak or fried pork chops in applesauce, hot sauce on my potato chips and pop corn, peanut butter and butter sandwiches, apple butter tastes good on them as well, sometimes I'll add bananas on them. I really like I can't believe it's not butter on them.
CRussell
October 4, 2015
My babysitter would make peanut butter and marshmallow grilled sandwiches. Loved them as a kid; tried it once as an adult, and no so much....
Cyndie R.
October 4, 2015
I love fries with gravy, Mac and cheese with ketchup, I've never had but heard it's a staple in PA shredded wheat with warm milk and butter. I always thought it weird.
Tracy A.
October 4, 2015
My mother used to eat peanut butter and cucumber sandwiches (don't knock it until you try it!). I like sliced apples smeared with peanut butter. Chunky is better.
Monika
October 4, 2015
Well, I don't know where my last comment went, so I repeat it... excuse if there might be two similar ones :))
In my grandparent's house thete was a mug of hot cocoa with dark bread and lard. Then there are lots of people here (in Germany) who love smelly sour milk cheese (Harzerkäse) with molasses or jam... not me, though... but the sort of Italian version, pecorino with honey, I did dare to try one day and it is delicious! I tried once fresh orange slices with onion rings, surprisingly yummy. I have only seen the salami or fish chocolate ... there are different strange combos over here in Europe, I guess... ;-)
In my grandparent's house thete was a mug of hot cocoa with dark bread and lard. Then there are lots of people here (in Germany) who love smelly sour milk cheese (Harzerkäse) with molasses or jam... not me, though... but the sort of Italian version, pecorino with honey, I did dare to try one day and it is delicious! I tried once fresh orange slices with onion rings, surprisingly yummy. I have only seen the salami or fish chocolate ... there are different strange combos over here in Europe, I guess... ;-)
Jade K.
October 3, 2015
Yes to the chips on sandwiches. But I'll up the ante. The real deal are Doritos, especially on hard salami sandwiches. Also Bologna and peanut butter sandwiches. Lastly, instead of sausage, try pickle slices on cheese and crackers.
Val
October 4, 2015
Slice up pickled ocra and put on the cheese and crackers - outstanding and I don't even really like ocra!!
Laura M.
October 3, 2015
Hmm. Ketchup on peas, pepper in soda, salted fresh fruits, mixing tea and soda... I've never been an adventurous eater. Well, other than what's already been mentioned, french fries in shakes and chips on sandwiches. I mean, how is that weird? Starches and carbs make everything better!
PG T.
October 3, 2015
I'm so confused - what does the photo of the meatloaf have to do with this article? Talking food combinations - I'm curious if anybody else has this problem. If I eat fish & raw tomatoes together, I get an awful taste of metal in my mouth. Weird in a to-be-avoided-at-all-costs way!
amysarah
October 3, 2015
Maybe because of the ketchup-based glaze? Though that seems too classic to be 'weird.' Or maybe a meatloaf recipe with an ingredient like. e.g., crushed saltines instead of bread crumbs (just made that up, but you get the jist.)
Harvey R.
October 3, 2015
Raisons with scrambled eggs. Gravy on French fries was a staple in Brooklyn kosher delis in the 50s. Add cheese curds and you have poutine. Potato chips on tuna sandwiches - yum
Tricia
October 3, 2015
corn flakes and milk eaten with fried chicken. My husband swears it's wonderful though I have yet to try it!
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