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8 destinations and their quirky names inspired by food

TOI Lifestyle Desk
| ETimes.in | Last updated on - Aug 9, 2025, 08:00 IST
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1/9

8 destinations and their quirky names inspired by food

What inspires you to travel? Is it the natural beauty or adventure options or because these destinations are trending on social media? Reasons and plenty, and all perfect in their own ways. But we are here to bring your attention to some of the places that have names that are quite unusual for a destination. These names are quirky and are inspired by food items! These destinations prove that a food-inspired name can lead to fascinating stories. Whether you’re a foodie or a history buff, these places offer a tasty reason to visit!

2/9

Orange, New Jersey, USA

Originally called Newark Mountains, the town officially adopted the name Orange in 1780 after a vote by residents. Back in the day, Orange was the hat-making capital of the United States. Orange is a vibrant suburb near New York City with a rich history tied to early American settlement.

3/9

Cucumber, West Virginia, USA

This tiny community is one of the smallest communities in West Virginia. Cucumber has a rich history of coal mining. There are two theories behind the name Cucumber: from a nearby stream named Cucumber Creek or the cucumber trees, a type of magnolia flower. Cucumber’s remote location in the Appalachian Mountains offers scenic beauty and great hiking opportunities.

4/9

Oatmeal, Texas, USA

This small community in Burnet County likely got its name from the breakfast staple, the humble oatmeal. The town also celebrates the annual Oatmeal Festival. You might want to add that to your travel wish list. What’s quirky about this town? The town Oatmeal’s water tower is painted like an oatmeal box, and is a quirky landmark.

5/9

Tomato, Arkansas, USA

The town probably gets its name from the heirloom variety called Arkansas Traveler and another famous variety called Bradley Pink. If it’s not obvious, the town is famous for its tomatoes. But there’s one more funny story regarding the name: as per local stories, in 1902, during a post office naming discussion, one woman spontaneously suggested the name whilst holding a tomato.

6/9

Burnt Corn, Alabama, USA

This community in Monroe County may have been named after a historical incident involving burnt corn crops or a Native American site, though the exact origin is unclear. Visitors can explore nearby historic sites or enjoy the quiet charm of Alabama’s countryside.

7/9

Chicken, Alaska, USA

This one’s funny. The town was founded during the Gold Rush in the late 1800s, the town was meant to be named after Ptarmigan, a local game bird eaten by miners, but they were not able to agree on the spelling. So they just chose to call the place Chicken. That’s how the town got its name.

8/9

Walnut Creek, California, USA

The city was named after the walnut trees growing along its creeks. The city is located near San Francisco, and has a vibrant downtown area with upscale dining and shopping facilities. For those interested in nature trips, Mount Diablo State Park is a great option.

9/9

Hamburger Hill, Vietnam

This one has a sombre history. Officially Hill 937, this site near the Laotian border was nicknamed “Hamburger Hill” by U.S. soldiers during the 1969 Vietnam War battle due to the brutal fighting, likening casualties to ground meat.

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Copyright © May 25, 2026, 09.49PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service