The Main Event
The concept of a main course is rooted in ancient civilizations whose meals were often simple and consisted of a single dish. As cooking techniques improved, meals evolved to include several courses. Centuries later, it’s still the main course that gets top billing … and inspires memories.
While Lancaster County is known for its prowess in growing produce, giving way to the long-held adage that the county is the “garden spot of America,” its farms are also highly regarded for raising cows, hogs and most notably, chickens.
Dairy cows provide the main ingredient for Lancaster’s legendary ice cream and other milk-based products. Herds of beef cattle include Angus and even wagyu. Hogs provide the makings for pork chops, roasts, ham and bacon, which are often enhanced through traditional smoking techniques. As for chickens, they continue to attract the attention of chefs in cities such as Philadelphia, New York and Washington, while roadside stands help to keep the refrigerators of locals stocked with eggs.
Lancaster may be miles from the ocean, but we developed a love for seafood early on. Thanks to improvements in technology and transportation, a fish caught off the Outer Banks can make its way to the area in a matter of a day or two. Crabs from the Chesapeake provide the main ingredient for the crabcakes we love.
Whether you have a hankering for a burger, a steak, bacon, barbecue, chicken or fresh fish, you’ll find it on the menus of Lancaster-area restaurants.
