chicken riggies

This man loves the food here in Central New York so much that when he came to visit, he just had to bring home entire suitcases full of authentic Utica specialties.

OK, we all know why the chicken crossed the road right? There are multiple answers to that question, but the harsh reality is that sometimes the chickens don't make it across the road at all.

For the second year Riggies, Greens & Rock returns to The Stanley Theater on Sunday, October 11th. It's a celebration of great music and two of Utica's favorite dishes. This is the one event where you can sample several of Central New York's best restaurants'  variations of these popular local classics.

Utica's chicken riggies are a staple in kitchens and restaurants across Central New York. Here's a harvest time sweet twist on the classic - Pumpkin Spice Riggies.

This is a tough question if you think about it... New York is a big place - How could you include the entire state into one specific dish? Well, someone online thought it was possible, and apparently was able to do it!

Spicy peppers, mushrooms, olives, creamy sauce, chicken, and a whole lotta love! What's not to love about Utica's signature dish?!

The 12th Annual Taste of Home Cooking School is coming up on November 13th at The Stanley Theater. You'll be able to learn all sorts of new recipes, and go out in the world with a little more culinary knowledge. Did you know Taste Of Home has a recipe for Chicken Riggies? How about that for a local twist.

You don't have to travel too far outside the Utica area for food staples like chicken riggies, Utica greens and tomato pie to disappear from restaurant menus. So what's a Utica native to do when he can't find his hometown foods elsewhere in Upstate New York? Set up a food truck, of course.

Chicken Riggies is one of Utica's signature dishes. But it's not universal about what ingredients must be included.

The governors of New York and California made a friendly wager on the outcome of the New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings NHL 2014 Stanley Cup finals. Governor Andrew Cuomo is wagering a 'Taste of New York' food basket and one of the items is Sammy and Annie's Riggie Starter Sauce.

A Utica native now residing in Dayton, Ohio is sharing some of the best eats of central New York with her new neighbors, and in the nationally distributed Taste of Home magazine.

If there's one thing Central New Yorkers are proud of, it's our food.  Chicken Riggies, Utica Greens and Half Moons are regional fare that we boast about to anyone who will listen.  So imagine my surprise when CNN's list of 50 Great American Foods neglects to list any of them!