However, “railroad camp shrimp” is not a standard historical dish — shrimp would have been unlikely in inland railroad camps unless near the Gulf or Pacific coasts. Could you be thinking of:

What made Railroad Camp Shrimp distinct was the collision of ingredients. It was rustic but complex:

Toss the hot, crispy shrimp in the glaze and serve immediately over a bed of greens with wonton strips and roasted peanuts. Why the Name?

The Legend of the Railroad Camp Shrimp In the culinary history of the American South and West, few dishes carry as much soul and resourcefulness as "Railroad Camp Shrimp." While it may not have the global name recognition of a New Orleans gumbo or a Charleston shrimp and grits, it represents a vital intersection of labor history, migration, and the "make-do" spirit of the workers who laid the tracks that connected a continent.