Iconic foods you MUST try by state And where to find them
Alabama:
Fried Chicken – Crispy and golden on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, with a perfectly seasoned coating. For some of the best fried chicken in the state, head to Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, where the chicken is cooked low and slow and served with their famous white barbecue sauce.
Alaska:
Salmon – Fresh, flaky, and full of flavor, whether smoked, grilled, or baked. For a truly authentic Alaskan seafood experience, head to The Saltry in Halibut Cove, a remote restaurant accessible only by boat or seaplane, where you can enjoy freshly caught salmon with stunning ocean views.
Arizona:
Chimichanga – A crispy fried burrito filled with savory meat, beans, and cheese, often served with guacamole and sour cream. For some of the best chimichangas in the state, head to El Charro Cafe in Tucson, where they’ve been perfecting this iconic dish since 1922.
Arkansas:
Fried Catfish – Tender and flaky, with a crispy coating that’s perfectly seasoned. For some of the best catfish in the state, head to Craig’s in DeValls Bluff, where they serve up whole catfish, fried to perfection and served with all the fixings.
California:
Fish Tacos – Fresh and flavorful, with tender fish, crunchy cabbage, and a tangy sauce, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. For some of the best fish tacos in the state, head to La Taqueria in San Francisco, where they’ve been serving up their famous tacos since 1973.
Colorado:
Green Chile – A spicy, savory sauce made with roasted green chilies, perfect for smothering burritos or topping burgers. For some of the best green chile in the state, head to The Shed in Santa Fe, just over the border in neighboring New Mexico, where they’ve been serving up their famous green chile for over 60 years.
Connecticut:
Lobster Roll – Sweet and succulent chunks of lobster meat, mixed with just enough mayo and served on a buttery toasted bun. For some of the best lobster rolls in the state, head to Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank, where they serve up their famous rolls with stunning views of the water.
Delaware:
Scrapple – A traditional breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal, fried until crispy and served with eggs. For some of the best scrapple in the state, head to Helen’s Sausage House in Smyrna, where they’ve been making their own scrapple since 1949.
Florida:
Key Lime Pie – Tart and sweet, with a creamy filling made from fresh key lime juice and a buttery graham cracker crust. For some of the best key lime pie in the state, head to Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe in Key West, where they’ve been serving up their famous pie for over 25 years.
Georgia:
Peach Cobbler – A classic Southern dessert made with sweet, juicy peaches, topped with a buttery, cinnamon-scented crust. For some of the best peach cobbler in the state, head to Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, where they’ve been serving up their famous cobbler since 1945.
Hawaii:
Poke – Fresh, raw fish marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings, served over rice or in a bowl with veggies. For some of the best poke in the state, head to Ono Seafood in Honolulu, where they serve up their famous poke with fresh, locally sourced fish and a variety of tasty toppings.
Idaho:
Potato – Idaho is famous for its potatoes, which are versatile and delicious in many forms, from crispy fries to creamy mashed potatoes. For some of the best potato dishes in the state, head to The Shed in Boise, where they serve up delicious potato-based dishes like loaded baked potatoes and tater tots.
Illinois:
Deep Dish Pizza – A thick, hearty pizza with a buttery crust, piled high with cheese, sauce, and toppings. For some of the best deep dish pizza in the state, head to Lou Malnati’s in Chicago, where they’ve been serving up their famous pizza since 1971.
Indiana:
Breaded Pork Tenderloin – A tender pork cutlet, pounded thin and breaded, served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. For some of the best pork tenderloin sandwiches in the state, head to Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington, where they’ve been serving up their famous tenderloins since 1904.
Iowa:
Sweet Corn – Iowa is known for its sweet, juicy corn, which is delicious grilled, boiled, or roasted. For some of the best sweet corn in the state, head to the Iowa State Fair, where vendors serve up fresh, buttery ears of corn all day long.
Kansas:
Barbecue – Kansas is home to some of the best barbecue in the country, with a variety of styles and flavors to choose from. For some of the best barbecue in the state, head to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que in Kansas City, where they serve up mouthwatering brisket, ribs, and more.
Kentucky:
Hot Brown – A hearty open-faced sandwich made with turkey, bacon, and Mornay sauce, all baked until bubbly and golden. For some of the best hot browns in the state, head to The Brown Hotel in Louisville, where they’ve been serving up their famous sandwich since the 1920s.
Louisiana:
Gumbo – A hearty stew made with sausage, seafood, and okra, flavored with a spicy blend of Creole seasonings. For some of the best gumbo in the state, head to Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, where they’ve been serving up their famous gumbo for over 100 years.
Maine:
Lobster – Maine is famous for its sweet, succulent lobster, which is delicious boiled, steamed, or grilled. For some of the best lobster in the state, head to The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth, where you can enjoy fresh, buttery lobster with stunning ocean views.
Maryland:
Crab Cakes – A classic Maryland dish made with sweet lump crab meat, seasoned breadcrumbs, and Old Bay seasoning, formed into patties and fried until golden. For some of the best crab cakes in the state, head to Faidley Seafood in Baltimore, where they’ve been serving up their famous crab cakes since 1886.
Massachusetts:
Clam Chowder – A creamy soup made with tender clams, potatoes, and bacon, flavored with herbs and spices. For some of the best clam chowder in the state, head to Legal Sea Foods in Boston, where they’ve been serving up their famous chowder since 1950.
Michigan:
Coney Dog – A hot dog topped with chili, onions, and mustard, often served on a steamed bun. For some of the best coney dogs in the state, head to Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit, where they’ve been serving up their famous dogs since 1917.
Minnesota:
Juicy Lucy – A burger stuffed with cheese, so that it oozes out when you take a bite. For some of the best Juicy Lucys in the
state, head to Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis, where they claim to have invented the dish back in the 1950s.
Mississippi:
Fried Catfish – A crispy, golden fish fillet, breaded and fried until perfectly cooked. For some of the best fried catfish in the state, head to Cock of the Walk in Ridgeland, where they’ve been serving up their famous catfish since 1977.
Missouri:
Toasted Ravioli – Crispy, golden ravioli filled with cheese or meat, often served with marinara sauce for dipping. For some of the best toasted ravioli in the state, head to Charlie Gitto’s in St. Louis, where they’ve been serving up their famous ravioli since the 1940s.
Montana:
Huckleberry Jam – A sweet, fruity jam made from wild huckleberries, a native berry that grows abundantly in Montana. For some of the best huckleberry jam in the state, head to Eva Gates Homemade Preserves in Bigfork, where they’ve been making and selling their famous jam since 1949.
Nebraska:
Runza – A savory pastry filled with beef, cabbage, and onions, often served with ketchup or mustard for dipping. For some of the best runzas in the state, head to Runza in Lincoln, where they’ve been serving up their famous pastries since 1949.
Nevada:
Shrimp Cocktail – A classic appetizer made with tender shrimp, cocktail sauce, and lemon wedges. For some of the best shrimp cocktail in the state, head to The Golden Steer in Las Vegas, where they’ve been serving up their famous cocktail since the 1950s.
New Hampshire:
Maple Syrup – A sweet, sticky syrup made from the sap of maple trees, often used to top pancakes, waffles, or French toast. For some of the best maple syrup in the state, head to The Maple Guys in Lisbon, where they’ve been making and selling their delicious syrup since 2006.
New Jersey:
Taylor Ham – A pork-based breakfast meat, often served on a bagel or English muffin with cheese and egg. For some of the best Taylor ham sandwiches in the state, head to Bagel Nook in Freehold, where they serve up creative and delicious breakfast sandwiches.
New Mexico:
Green Chile – A spicy pepper that’s a staple ingredient in New Mexican cuisine, often roasted and used to flavor dishes like enchiladas, burritos, and burgers. For some of the best green chile dishes in the state, head to The Shed in Santa Fe, where they’ve been serving up their famous green chile stew since 1953.
New York:
Bagel – A chewy, flavorful bread roll with a hole in the middle, often topped with cream cheese, lox, or other tasty toppings. For some of the best bagels in the state, head to Ess-a-Bagel in New York City, where they’ve been making and selling their famous bagels since 1976.
North Carolina:
Barbecue Pork – A slow-cooked pork dish, often served chopped or pulled, and flavored with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. For some of the best barbecue in the state, head to Lexington Barbecue in Lexington, where they’ve been serving up their famous pork since 1962.
North Dakota:
Knoephla Soup – A creamy soup made with tender dumplings, potatoes, and carrots, often served with chunks of ham or sausage. For some of the best knoephla soup in the state, head to Kroll’s Diner in Bismarck, where they’ve been serving up their famous soup since 1972.
Ohio:
Buckeye Candy- A sweet treat made with peanut butter fudge balls dipped in chocolate, resembling the nut of the state tree. For some of the best buckeye candy in the state, head to Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. in Columbus, where they’ve been making and selling their delicious treats since 1952.
Oklahoma:
Chicken Fried Steak – A breaded and fried steak, often served with creamy gravy and mashed potatoes. For some of the best chicken fried steak in the state, head to Eischen’s Bar in Okarche, where they’ve been serving up their famous steak since 1896.
Oregon:
Marionberry Pie – A deliciously sweet and tangy pie made with Marionberries, a type of blackberry that’s native to Oregon. For some of the best Marionberry pie in the state, head to Random Order Coffeehouse in Portland, where they’ve been making and serving up their delicious pies since 2004.
Pennsylvania:
Philly Cheesesteak – A delicious sandwich made with thinly sliced steak, sautéed onions, and melted cheese, served on a hoagie roll. For some of the best Philly Cheesesteaks in the state, head to Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia, where they’ve been serving up their famous sandwiches since 1930.
Rhode Island:
Clam Chowder – A creamy soup made with clams, potatoes, and onions, often served with oyster crackers on the side. For some of the best clam chowder in the state, head to Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House in Warwick, where they’ve been serving up their delicious soup since 1989.
South Carolina:
Shrimp and Grits – A classic Southern dish made with tender shrimp, creamy grits, and often flavored with bacon, onions, and spices. For some of the best shrimp and grits in the state, head to The Early Bird Diner in Charleston, where they’ve been serving up their famous dish since 2005.
South Dakota:
Chislic – A popular appetizer made with cubed meat, often beef or lamb, seasoned and grilled or fried until crispy. For some of the best chislic in the state, head to Nick’s Hamburger Shop in Brookings, where they’ve been serving up their famous chislic since 1929.
Tennessee:
Hot Chicken – A fiery, crispy chicken dish coated in a spicy seasoning, often served with pickles and white bread. For some of the best hot chicken in the state, head to Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville, where they’ve been serving up their famous dish since the 1930s.
Texas:
Chili – A hearty stew made with ground beef, chili peppers, and spices, often served with crackers or cornbread on the side. For some of the best chili in the state, head to Texas Chili Parlor in Austin, where they’ve been serving up their famous recipe since 1976.
Utah:
Jell-O Salad – A popular dessert made with gelatin, whipped cream, and various fruit and/or vegetable ingredients. For some of the best Jell-O salad in the state, head to Lion House Pantry in Salt Lake City, where they’ve been serving up their delicious salads since 1855.
Vermont:
Maple Creemee – A soft-serve ice cream made with Vermont maple syrup, often served in a waffle cone or dish. For some of the best maple creemees in the state, head to Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, where they’ve been making and serving up their delicious ice cream since 1960.
Virginia:
Ham Biscuits – A classic Southern breakfast dish made with tender ham and flaky biscuits, often served with honey or jam on the side. For some of the best ham biscuits in the state, head to The Ham Shoppe in Stuarts Draft, where they’ve been making and selling their delicious biscuits and other ham products since 1953.
Washington:
Salmon – A delicious fish that’s often grilled, baked, or smoked and served with various sides. For some of the best salmon in the state, head to Taylor Shellfish Farms in Bow, where they’ve been farming and selling their fresh, sustainably-raised seafood since 1890.
West Virginia:
Pepperoni Rolls – A delicious snack made with soft bread rolls stuffed with spicy pepperoni slices. For some of the best pepperoni rolls in the state, head to Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, where they’ve been making and selling their famous rolls since 1927.
Wisconsin:
Cheese Curds – Delicious nuggets of fresh cheese, often deep-fried and served as a snack or appetizer. For some of the best cheese curds in the state, head to Clock Shadow Creamery in Milwaukee, where they’ve been making and selling their delicious, squeaky cheese curds since 2012.
Wyoming:
Bison Burger – A delicious burger made with bison meat, often topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other condiments. For some of the best bison burgers in the state, head to The Cowboy Cafe in Dubois, where they’ve been serving up their delicious burgers since 1946.
And there you have it, a mouth-watering list of iconic foods from each state and recommendations for the best places to try each dish!
