The following story was submitted by Carl Sieracki, a History teacher at Lincoln High School and local history aficionado through the Manitowoc Public Library.
The United States of America. The Melting Pot or the Salad Bowl? This is one of the questions that has vexed me over the years. If we were truly a melting pot, wouldn’t we all be of the same mish-mash of ideas? Well, that certainly is not the case, but we aren’t quite a salad bowl either. If we were, then we would not be Americans, but simply a collection of various nationalities guarding our separate ethnic cultures. No, I think we are more like a stew or a soup. Flavors of so many cultures mixed together with chunks of specific and unique morsels of each sticking out, like beans or potatoes.
Matt Kadow and I have had the pleasure of sharing the offbeat history of Manitowoc through a Public Library program known as “Weird Manitowoc” over the past year. Recently, we were asked to do a new program based on the odd or different foods present in this town entitled, “Manitowoc Bites: A Weird Manitowoc Foodstravaganza.” While searching out the unique and/or odd, Matt and I came to an interesting reality—Manitowoc’s food scene has gone through two distinct phases. First, there was the European, or settler, phase. These would include such things as smoked Chub, Cannibal Sandwiches, and Cherry Bounce. Items which have become staples in many people’s holiday traditions. They are familiar to us for their comfort qualities.
The second phase is largely based on our “newcomers” to Manitowoc. These would include things like Kimchi, curries and traditional Mexican. Each possessing a bit of punch into the diet, adding the spice to life.
So, Matt and I have set forth to find a good sampling of these culinary delights and we have attempted to find the history in their roots. While we delighted in meeting with various personalities of individuals who prepared these delicacies, the most amazing part was the tasting. Some were sweet, some were intoxicating, but the most impressive part of the venture was not knowing before we bit into each one. Many dishes brought back wonderful memories of Grandma, or Omi, or Bobcia. Other experiences were not as positive.

Carl Sieracki
It was with the newest offerings that theworld of two European descended guys was blown to bits. Did you ever have your mouth explode with flavor, so much so that you had to stop eating to allow your mind to catch up to your taste buds? I have. Brought up on warm and rather comfortable items, these Near-Eastern, Asian, and South of the Border treats reminded my palette of all the different tastes and aromas there were to be had. Vibrant smells and flavors—along with varying degrees of heat—had each of us happy to have our culinary worlds expanded.
Following all of our extensive research, Matt and I were able to reflect back and see what our beautiful country is all about. Our ancestors came here and carved a life out of a wild frontier. As they did, they brought with them recipes and ingredients to remind them of home. Over time, many of those recipes were lost or combined with others and cultures with similar backgrounds blended. They melted into our pot and created a base for our stew. The “potatoes” of a few distinct items remained. They seem to be specially reserved for times when larger groups—families—get together.
Then, the new dishes enter into this dinner. The old population finds them peculiar, exotic, separate. But, to our newest cooks, these are the reminders of their homes. Added to your old tired stew, these ingredients bring spice, which only enhances our stew recipe. Are they scary? Maybe, but without a little anxiety, growth rarely happens.
Join Matt and me as we expand our minds and have the melting pot meet the salad bowl to create a delicious stew that is Manitowoc.
“Manitowoc Bites!” will air in two episodes—July 1 and 15, both Thursdays at 6 PM—on Manitowoc Public Library’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/manitowoclibrary). See you then!