
Food Culture Shock: What Southerners Can’t Find in Montana
Moving to Montana from the South was a dream come true. No matter where you’re from, the flavors and food traditions you grow up with tend to stick with you.
One of the biggest differences I noticed after moving to Big Sky Country was the availability of certain Southern staples. Whether at the grocery store or dining out, some familiar flavors are surprisingly hard to find—or don't exist at all! It's not necessarily a bad thing, but here are a few foods Montana might be missing out on.

Cheerwine
This delicious cherry-flavored soda has been around for over a 100 years. The company started in North Carolina and quickly gained popularity across the South. Today, they even host a Cheerwine Festival every year.
Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts are one of the best snacks you can find anywhere in the South. They are sold at gas stations, pop-up roadside stands, and grocery stores. Mushy peanuts may not sound appetizing, but don't knock it until you try it.
Okra
Fresh okra, pickled okra, canned okra with tomatoes, and anything else related to okra is tough to find around here. It may be a southern acquired taste because it tends to have a slimy texture, but if cooked properly, it's quite delicious.
Sweet Tea
Sweet tea, known as the 'nectar of the South,' seems completely absent from Montana restaurants. If sweet tea were missing from any place down South, there would be riots in the streets. However, in Montana, it's not a common beverage.
Muscadines and Scuppernongs
If you like grapes, you'll love this native southern fruit. You've likely heard of muscadine wine, and scuppernongs are just a different variety. They have thicker skins and a seed (like a cherry) and are one of the few native grapes to America.
The list goes on—Vidalia onions, fresh collard greens, no Waffle House, and no Bojangles, just to name a few. While some Southern food may never make their way this far west, that's part of what makes each region unique. But if you ever come across any of these foods, they're definitely worth a try!
Credit: Cheerwne, SouthernLiving
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