Do you miss your Northern food? Fear not: 24 Northern staples and where to find them in Charlotte

And if you’re not a transplant, I’ve included a description of each staple so you have a grasp of what makes them staples. It also doubles as a reason to find it.

Taylor ham/Pork roll

The jury is still out on what this meat is actually called. In a nutshell, it’s a smoked, processed pork product that’s made with a mix of spices, salt, sugar and preservatives and then shaped into a sausage shape to be sliced up (alarming, yes). It starts as a breakfast staple and grows into hangover cures and dinner meat as we grow up and is such a big deal that New Jersey hosts an entire festival in its honor (really). Get it on your bagel with egg and cheese at Poppy’s Bagels and More for $4.29. 2921 Providence Road.

Zeppoli 

Deep-fried balls of dough covered in powdered sugar and usually served with a caramel-based dipping sauce. Get some at Stagioni, who describes it as “Fried pillows of heaven” for $8. 715 Providence Road.

Italian Ice

Sometimes known as water ice, it’s a sorbet-like dessert sweetened with fruit. I haven’t found a place that does it better than Rita’s (a New Jersey staple), so get some at the Plaza Midwood location for $2.59 (small) or $3.19 (large). 1308 The Plaza.

Disco Fries 

French fries covered in gravy and melted cheese and exactly what you need late at night with your friends. Get some at Ed’s Tavern (it’s called Classic Poutine on the menu) for $7. 2200 Park Road.

Philly Cheesesteak

This sandwich is simple, with only two ingredients: thinly sliced steak and provolone cheese (and sometimes onions and peppers) on a long hoagie roll. Simple is good in this case – you don’t fix what isn’t broken. You can go down the rabbit hole on Google when it comes to finding the best one, but the cheesesteak that has the most support is JackBeagle’s version for $6.99 (7″) or $9.99 (12″). 3213 North Davidson Street.

Popovers 

These are tiny, hollow rolls made from egg batter that pop up when cooked in a muffin tin or popover pan and can be served with any meal. Get them at BLT Steak for $5 on the Happy Hour menu. 110 North College Street.

Clam Chowder 

The ultimate in cold weather food, this wondrous creation is a combination of chowder, clams, potatoes, onions and celery and served with saltines. Get some at The Capital Grille for $10. 201 North Tryon Street.

Pierogis

These are Polish dumplings made of unleavened dough that can be stuffed with almost anything (popular options include sauerkraut, meat, cheese and potatoes) before being fried in butter and onions. Get them at Taste of Europe Polish Cuisine for $7.95-$8.95. 10915 Monroe Road, Matthews.

Eggs Benedict 

A poached egg, Canadian bacon and Hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. The perfect brunch meal. Try the multiple takes on this classic at Another Broken Egg Café for $10.49-$14.49. 3920 Sharon Road Suite 160.

Chicago-style Hot Dog 

A Chicago-style Hot Dog is in a league all its own: a beef hotdog on a poppyseed bun, topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, peppers, celery salt and an entire pickle spear. Get one at Matt’s Chicago Dogs for $7.09. 435 South Tryon Street.

Hoagies

There is a difference between a sub and a hoagie – hoagies are more closely associated with Italian-Americans, almost never under 12 inches and contain cold cuts such as salami, turkey and ham. Get one at The Steak ‘n Hoagie Shop for $3.65-$5.05 (7″) and $5.75-$8.05. 3401-C South Boulevard.

Crab Cakes 

We can thank Maryland for this creation that’s a combination of crab meat and things like bread crumbs, milk, mayonnaise and – this is important – Old Bay. Get a couple at Village Tavern and drizzle them with lemon juice for $13.95. 4201 Congress Street Suite 190.

Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese

Exactly what it sounds like. Get a bowl at Mimosa Grill for $14. 327 South Tryon Street. 

Corn muffins

Essentially cornbread, but lighter and sweeter than the Southern version. Get one at Lupie’s – it comes with your meal, so get one with a bowl of Chili Mac. 2718 Monroe Road.

Pastrami 

Pastrami is a meat – usually beef – that’s brined and seasoned to turn it into corned beef before being smoked to take on the name of pastrami and is excellent on a sandwich. Get one at New York Deli & Restaurant for $10. 8045 Providence Road.

Bagels

We all know what a bagel is, but there’s something about the bagels in the North that just up the game. The family behind Poppy’s Bagels and More just get it – they’re from New York and opened Poppy’s to get their fill of northern-quality bagels in the South. Get one for anywhere from $1.39-$4.29. 2921 Providence Road.

Cherry Pie.

Exactly what it sounds like, and is usually made with tart cherries rather than sweet ones. Grab one at Divine Pies Bakery for $5.29 (5″) or $18.99 (10″). 4201 Monroe Road.

Cheese curds

Cheese curds are solidified pieces of soured milk that can be eaten fresh or fried and insanely popular in the state of the Cheeseheads (Wisconsin). Get a basket at Culver’s for $3.49. 3521 Foothills Way, Fort Mill.

Scrapple

Scrapple is Delaware’s version of livermush and is made from a handful of pork, cornmeal and wheat flour that’s all been packed together. Get a package of Neese’s Country Scrapple at the Arboretum, Kenilworth Commons or Morrocroft Village Harris Teeter for $2.99.

Coney Island dog 

This huge hot dog actually started in Detroit and is topped with an all-meat, beanless chili, white onion and yellow mustard and a true dog uses only Michigan-based products. Grab one at Omega Coney Island for $3.50. 3901 Old Monroe Road.

Cincinnati Chili

A Mediterranean-inspired chili that’s got a sweeter side to it and used on spaghetti and hot dogs. Get it over spaghetti with cheese at Queen City Beer & Chili for $7.99. 135 Brevard Court.

Apple Crisp 

The perfect dessert for when it’s cold or you want dessert for breakfast, it’s baked apples topped with a crumbly, strudel-like crust. Get it with ice cream at Dressler’s for $8. 1100 Metropolitan Avenue.

Buffalo Wings

Chicken wings with a vinegar-based cayenne pepper sauce so hot that bleu cheese dressing is not an option. Test yourself at Moosehead Grill for $4.95-$71.95, depending on the order size. 1807 Montford Drive.

Pizza

Just kidding. You can’t get any better than Northern pizza.

Bonus! Where to head when you miss the institutions you got these fabulous treats at:

WaWa 

There’s no replacement for WaWa, but you can try 7-11.

Diners

There’s also no replacement for the spot that Northern diners hold in your heart, but if you want to come close, try Midnight Diner (115 East Carson Boulevard) and Red Eye Diner (EpiCentre).

Cover image via Poppy’s Bagels