Oklahoma and its foodways

[joiei]

I have a question concerning Oklahoma and where does it fit.  Is Oklahoma a part of the South, the Midwest or is it a Southwestern state.  To consider this question and think about its foodways,  where would you say that Oklahoma gets it greatest influences from?  It is one of the largest producers of pecans and at the same time wheat is one of its major food crops.  Cattle and chickens are also big crops.  Where does chocolate gravy fit in?  What would be considered Oklahoma's major foodways and influences?

 

*Moderators, if you need to move this it is okay with me.  I wasn't sure where it should go.  

[Chris Hennes]

Can I tell you how annoyed I was to discover that as far as McDonald's is concerned we are not "South"!? That "all day breakfast" they are advertising doesn't include the biscuit!! I figure we're at least South enough for that.

[joiei]

 

further proof that Oklahoma is not part of the south. According to this map neither is Virginia or Florida.  Map is courtsey of the McDonald's corporation.

  

[Chris Hennes]

I am far from an expert on Oklahoma cuisine, but the chicken fried steak seems pretty central to me, and I've always thought of that as being a "southern" dish more than a "midwest" or "southwest" dish. We don't put chiles in enough stuff to be southwest.