The second hour of yesterday's Midday show was a reprise of the Hometown Favorites special we did in August -- with people who grew up in various parts of the country describing the treat they missed the most from back home. WYPR listeners made some great contributions to our growing list of hometown faves. (And one of them, Elise from Mount Washington, came over to the station to taste the Blue Bell Ice Cream we had shipped in from Texas!) Here's a healthy selection of the e-mail we received during the show. Thanks to all who wrote or called in.

When we go to Philadelphia, where I went to school, we stop at the Reading Terminal Market, which is like Lexington Market, and buy a bag of chocolate-covered potato chips from one of the Pennsylvania Dutch vendors.
Bob, Timonium

Tastycakes are not available outside of the mid-Atlantic area...Pa, MD, De, NJ, etc. when I lived in California years ago I missed them. Many years ago, Johnny Carson had comedian and musician Pete Barbutti (not sure of that spelling) on and he told a very funny story about trying to take boxes of Tastycakes with him from Atlantic City back to Las Vegas. He had some  shows in Canada so while going into Canada the customs agents broke open and confiscated the Tastycakes, saying to him, "You're a musician and there's dope in here."  It was funny when he told them. 
Charlie

While listening to your broadcast about favorite local foods, I overheard one listener comment that she missed Malt-O-Meal. Sounded like you hadn't heard of it before. I love it - and miss it. Malt-o-Meal is a hot breakfast cereal, made in Minneapolis.
Karin

Your second hour was a great time for me to be in the car and driving a distance.
We lived in WONDERFUL SAN ANTONIO for 13 years and discovered Blue Bell Ice Cream
the first week we were there. Luckily we have a daughter in Dallas at this time and the first thing we
do is take the grandchildren and get Blue Bell ice cream upon visiting with them.
My husband, to this day, says it is best ice cream and better than Ben and Jerry's, the only
ice cream he will eat in Maryland.
Jan

Wondering if you, a New England boy, have gotten far enough into
Maine to try Mrs. Dunster's donuts. They usually don't get much south
of Bath, and are sold at Hannaford grocery stores, and sometimes
Shaw's, also the occasional independent small town grocery. But even
people in Maine haven't heard of Mrs Dunster.
They come in bags of 13 or so, small crescents or balls, cake donuts
rolled in sugar or crispy coconut, chocolate, plain or cinnamon. Made
in New Brunswick (Canada).
When I'm down east, I pick up a few bags and keep them in the
freezer. My favorite is a crescent, nuked for one minute,  the outer
layer gets all hot and melty. And they're small, so not as guilt-
inducing.
Martha

Malt-o-Meal is the equal of Cream of Wheat.  But they also have a chocolate flavor and its excellent in the morning.  I have only seen it in the Midwest when I was a kid.
Cassandra

I grew up in Liverpool NY and wonder anyone remembers Bonomo's Turkish Taffy. You would whack the taffy on the pavement and then eat the broken pieces. It was in Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and banana. My husband, who is the same age as me, a child of the 60's and 70's, doesn't remember it. He's from Ohio, so maybe it was another regional item.  . . . And when you were talking about half-moon cookies, that reminded me of a place in Baldwinsville NY that used to make the best ones. When I moved to NYC, I had to come to terms with the term "Black and White." Now Starbucks in Charles Village sells mini ones. They arrived in Baltimore! . .. . . Friehoffers (chocolate chip cookies) were best!
Julie 

This is Joe in Baltimore.  I was born and raised in Bloomington, IN, moving to Baltimore when I was about 13 years old.  The thing I associate with Indiana summers the most is Vernor's Soda.  As I write this you are discussing this particular beverage.  After only being able to obtain Vernor's when  traveling back home, I was delighted to find it for sale at the Giant supermarket on York Rd in Stoneleigh.  Even though I can now get it here whenever I like, I still make a point of picking some up whenever I am back home again in Indiana. On the other side of that, every time I go back there I cannot leave Baltimore without Utz chips and Yuengling beer.
Also of note, I used to work for a major airline at BWI Airport.  Whoever is responsible for stocking the break room vending machines must be from New England because every single machine was consistently stocked with both Necco Wafers and Sky Bars. 

I don’t know if I’m spelling this right, but I remember a candy called Bonomo (the jingle was Oh, oh, oh, it’s Bonomo).  They called it Turkish taffy, and we would put it in the freezer.  When it was frozen solid, you would smack it on the counter and break it into small bit size pieces.
Harold

I was always wondered why my dad is so in love with Vernor's ginger ale.  He was raised in Detroit, MI but moved to California as a teenager.  He gets this gleam in his eye every time he finds it in the store.  "The only ginger ale I'll drink is Vernor's.
Melissa

The food I missed from Rochester, NY since moving here in 1965 - Zwiegle white hots and Texas red hots - now not a problem, thanks to Wegmans. The Abbott's chocolate walnut custard we still have to travel upstate to get. 
MARY LU

I am a native Baltimorean who has lived his entire life in zone 18 of Baltimore city.  I have been buying "Coffee Time" coffee syrup, made by Autocrat, for the last year or so.  It is readily available at the Superfresh Supermarket on 41st Street in North Baltimore.  It is in the aisle furthers from the front door, in the same section as Hershey's chocolate syrup.  I am addicted to it, so I am afraid that too many people will start buying it, making it difficult for the store to keep it in stock.  Also recommend Vanilla syrup, made by Fox's U-bet, in the same section.
Buy the way, I have always loved Necco wafers, and especially the rolls of only chocolate wafers; a real treasure to find.
Fred

Although only 200 miles away, Williamsport, PA seem sometimes the other side of the world, or at least of the Mason-Dixon Line. Tony’s Deli in Williamsport makes a Ham Loaf, that’s right, Ham.  The same idea as a meat loaf, it is made with ground ham rather than ground beef. Baked with a little brown sugar pineapple glaze it makes a great dinner.  Cube the leftovers in your scrambled eggs the next morning, and if that doesn’t finish it, thin slice the rest with a little mayo or mustard on your favorite bread for a sandwich. Folks around here look sideways at you when you mention it, but it is certainly a home town favorite.  Take the cooler an call Tony, he’ll freeze them for you.
J.C.

I take Old Bay Seasoning with me everywhere I travel.  After experiencing some of the terrible tasting shrimp and crabs from other locales I’ve always packed Old Bay. I’ve even had people in other regions ask, “What is Old BAY seasoning?” I put Old Bay on corn on the cob, salads and popcorn. I’ll even put it on steak and now with Thanksgiving coming up, turkey. I can’t live without it.
Wayne

This year for the holidays my family is bringing:
Bosco Syrup for Egg-Creams from NY, Cheerwine soda from North Carolina, and Nuremburger leibkuchen cookies from Germany. Chocolate Twinkees from California.
And I will be bringing Pepto Bismol!
Tom from Baltimore

As a child living in Maine, one sandwich was king. The Amato's Italian, It was just ham, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles (the spears not slices), and salt pepper oil and vinegar. Pure sandwich goodness, a simplicity  I will never forget.
Jeffery

I’m listening to your show at work and unfortunately I cannot call in. I am originally from Scranton PA but currently live in Baltimore. One of the things that I must pick-up when I go home next week is homemade wine made by all the older (grandfather type) Italian men. It’s made with Concord grapes and aged in a secret way. It’s flavor is slightly different depending on the family you get it from, but generally there are two types, sweet and dry. Normally it is very fruity. I prefer the dry with a few ice cubes. It’s a very strong drink and you can feel your face turning red after only one glass. It’s unlike any wine I’ve had in the stores and in fact, due to its higher than normal alcohol content, it is illegal  (shhhh).  Another thing is something pronounced “Super-sada” or “Soupie.” This is a homemade (again by the Italians) pepperoni like treat. It’s encased in a natural pig casing stuffed with a combination of pork , beef, pepper, and a lot of other spices. It’s normally made during the summer time and hung in the coal cellar part of the basement (because it’s naturally cool). It’s cured until just after Halloween (depending on conditions) and it’s a delicious treat. If you ever have a chance to taste either of these items I highly recommend both. In fact if you find yourself with both, grab a sleeve of Ritz crackers and make an evening.
Timothy

I'm from Rochester NY.  The thing I miss most is Abbott's Frozen
Custard.  They have frozen custard at Atlantic City but it is not the
same. Abbott's just melts in your mouth and the vanilla is to die for.
Sue in Baltimore

Philadelphia crusty rolls and bread are what I miss most.  Used to be Philadelphia soft pretzels, but now there’s a bakery in Bel Air Maryland that has come mighty close to reproducing them!  Tastycakes were another treat I missed.  The ones that are shipped are not as good as what I remember except for the Kandy Kakes and they’re very good here and in Philadelphia.
Susan, Maryland resident for 3 years

Kringles!  I grew up in Wisconsin which has THE BEST Danish bakeries.  It is home of the delectable Kringle.  They are rings of flakey buttery pastry with various fillings.  My favorite is almond paste. I also miss Malt-o-Meal – something I’ve not found outside of the Midwest.
Nicole

Every time my boyfriend goes to visit his parents in Buffalo, NY he brings home a case of Weber’s brand mustard, horseradish and relish. He eats it on everything! I think I have at least 3 bottles at my house as gifts! I have to agree Weber’s is pretty awesome.
Catherine

I do not know about New England, but growing up during the 50's in Baltimore, we had NECCO Wafers, Sky Bars and Mallo Cups, and we still do. When I travel I have to take Old Bay with me to spread the word.
Claude
Stewartstown, PA

I am from Easton Pennsylvania.  I miss Shafer bologna and shoo fly pie.  I could make the pie myself, but it wouldn't be the same!
Lynn

I bring Faygo soda (Diet Chocolate Fudge is my favorite) back to Baltimore from Central New York State.  I don't know its origins or its market reach but I cannot find it here.
Thanks for the show!
'Dina

I have some Necco wafers on my desk at work, and I bought them two days ago in Roland Park at Tuxedo Pharmacy.  My 14-year-old, who was with me at the time and who was not raised as a Catholic, as I was, gave me some very funny looks when I told him about the Eucharist/Necco wafers. 
-A loyal listener