You're Not A True Georgian Until You've Tried Brunswick Stew, The State's Most Famous Dish
By Marisa Roman|Published February 10, 2021
×
Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
Every state has its own culinary claim to fame. You know what we’re talking about, right? It’s the dish that when you hear the state’s name you immediately associate it with. For New York, it might be cheesecake or pizza. For Florida, it might be Key Lime Pie or crab claws. But what about Georgia? What dish would you consider to be the state’s most famous dish that only true Georgians would associate with? According to a recent article by Insider, the answer is quite simple: Brunswick Stew. Not only is this dish a menu-staple for many local Georgian restaurants, but it also had a deeply-rooted history within the state that makes it one-of-a-kind.
Ahh, Brunswick Stew—the quickest way to start a fistfight between a Virginian and a Georgian, right?
While the origins of Brunswick Stew are a highly debated topic, Georgians know deep down that this famed stew was not invented in Virginia, but in fact, was invented in the sleepy coastal town of Brunswick, Georgia.
They know this claim to fame to be true so-much-so that they erected a 25-gallon iron pot monument in Brunswick that states the first Brunswick stew was cooked there back on July 2, 1898.
For those who are unfamiliar with what this stew is, picture a bubbling pot of pulled meat, usually pork or chicken, plus corn, baby lima beans, okra, hot sauce, and barbecue sauce, which comes together to form a thick, smokey, tomato-based stew.
While it’s known that the stew had traditional Southern roots no matter which state it was invented in, Georgians have adopted this stew as a state dish over the years.
So, have you ever had Brunswick Stew before? Is there a restaurant in Georgia that you think makes the best? Make sure to share with us in the comments section! Or if you think you have the best tip to making authentic Brunswick Stew at home, we’d love to hear from you!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.