Every State’s Favorite Food

Let’s taste around the United States! Every state in the US boasts a unique cuisine, a result of the history and culture of the region. That means each state’s favorite food is different, causing a long list of interesting bites to be discovered!

Dive into this list to find out each state’s favorite food. Keep in mind that each state has a few favorites, so if your state’s favorite isn’t reflected, it’s because we had to just choose one. I hope you’re ready to chow down because this list is sure to whet your appetite! Let’s get started!

Alabama: White BBQ Sauce Chicken

The first favorite food on this list is the iconic Alabama white sauce BBQ chicken. This BBQ sauce is unique to the state of Alabama, lacking a ketchup base like most BBQ sauces!

Alaska: King Crab

The next state’s favorite food is king crab. This is a white meat with a mild flavor, perfect for subtle seafood cooking. It can be found in the waters of Alaska, making it the state’s favorite treat!

Arizona: Chimichanga

Arizona is a state rich with cultural influence from its nearby neighbor, Mexico. Chimichangas are now the favorite food of the state. Allegedly, Tucson was the first city in the US to serve them!

Arkansas: Fried Pickles

Yum, yum, yum! Arkansas has a big culinary reputation, but one of the state favorites is fried pickles. These perfect appetizers are a delicious mix of salty and sour!

California: Cobb Salad

Classic California! This health-conscious state is known for the Cobb salad. A Cobb salad has lettuce, tomato, chicken, eggs, and more.

Colorado: Green Chili

If you can handle some spice, you’ll love Colorado’s most favorite meal. That food is green chili! Green chili generally has meat and peppers, making a hardy winter stew.

Connecticut: Hot Dogs

We all recognize Connecticut’s special food! That’s the hot dog! Did you know you can even take a tour around Connecticut’s hot dog scene? It doesn’t get better than that.

Delaware: Peach Pie

Finally, something sweet on the list! While Delaware serves a lot of yummy New England foods, the state’s favorite food is peach pie.

Florida: Key Lime Pie

For a bright and zingy bite, grab a slice of Florida‘s favorite food: key lime pie! The state is known for citrus, so it makes sense that their favorite food is sharp and limey!

Georgia: Peaches

This one was a tad predictable. There’s hardly anything more iconic than a Georgia peach, so of course the peach is the state’s favorite food!

Hawaii: Poke

The poke bowl is Hawaii’s favorite food! This rice-based bowl has veggies and raw sushi for a fresh flavor.

Idaho: Finger Steaks

Idaho’s favorite food is the finger steak! These are beef strips that are breaded and fried until crispy. Yum!

Illinois: Pizza

Of course, Illinois’ favorite food is the Chicago deep-dish pizza! This recognizable pie is served all around the world.

Indiana: Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Mmm, yum. For a hardy bite, grab Indiana’s favorite food: the pork tenderloin sandwich! Onions, lettuce, and tomato are the toppings of a traditional Indiana sandwich.

Iowa: Sour Cream Raisin Pie

I will admit, I’m not from Iowa and I’ve never heard of this pie! It’s a sweet and spiced pie base with a meringue on top. Yum!

Kansas: Chili & Cinnamon Rolls

It’s likely we’ve eaten both components of Kansas’s favorite food, but maybe never together! The state of Kansas loves chili paired with a cinnamon roll!

Kentucky: Hot Brown

While Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Fried Chicken business, the state’s favorite food is the Hot Brown. This sandwich is made of turkey, tomatoes, Mornay sauce, bacon, and cheese. Yum.

Louisiana: Gumbo

The state of Louisiana is known for its Cajun cuisine, so there were a lot of foods to choose from. Ultimately, gumbo took the first-place spot!

Maine: Lobster Roll

Nothing screams summer in New England quite like a lobster roll, and no state produces better lobster than Maine! Locals know that the best lobster rolls are almost entirely lobster!

Maryland: Smith Island Layer Cake

The favorite food of Maryland is another dessert: the Smith Island layer cake! There are 9 yellow layers of cake with chocolate icing in between. Yum!

Massachusetts: New England Clam Chowder

Besides the lobster roll, there’s hardly a food more iconic to New England than the New England Clam Chowder. This is Massachusetts’s favorite food!

Michigan: Mackinac Island Fudge

For a dense bite of sweetness, grab a slice of Mackinac Island fudge. Mackinac Island is a small island in Lake Huron, but the iconic fudge is sold all over the state.

Minnesota: Wild Rice Soup

Minnesota’s favorite food is the cozy and creamy wild rice soup!

Mississippi: Mississippi Mud Pie

The favorite food of Mississippi is the state-named Mississippi Mud Pie! Chocolate mouse, whipped cream, and a fudgy base make this dessert amazing.

Missouri: Toasted Ravioli

Missouri’s favorite food was born in St. Louis and that is the toasted ravioli. It’s all the fun of pasta as a finger food!

Montana: Elk Burgers

A lot of the favorite foods of the states are based on what’s available. Elk is widely available in Montana, and elk burgers are a favorite food!

Nebraska: Runza

A runza is a bread pocket full of delicious, Midwestern goodness! Nebraska’s favorite food is this roll stuffed with beef, onions, and more.

Nevada: Shrimp Cocktail

The very glamorous shrimp cocktail is the favorite food of Nevada. It was born on the Las Vegas Strip!

New Hampshire: Maple Sticky Buns

Mmm, yummo! If you’re looking for a sweet treat, consider stopping into New Hampshire for their favorite snack: a maple sticky bun!

New Jersey: Pork Roll

The pork roll sandwich of New Jersey is a staple of the state. It’s made with a processed meat that is primarily found in New Jersey!

New Mexico: Enchiladas

Another favorite food with some neighborly influences is the enchiladas of New Mexico. This meal originates in Mexico.

New York: Cheesecake

New York is a culinary capital of the States, but New York cheesecake takes the cake for New Yorkers’ favorite food.

North Carolina: Shrimp & Grits

While shrimp & grits are a staple of the South, this meal is the winner for North Carolina’s favorite food. Yummo!

North Dakota: Swedish Meatballs

North Dakota’s favorite food has a Nordic inspiration. Swedish meatballs are the favorite food of this chilly state!

Ohio: Buckeyes

The favorite food of Ohio is a sports reference — it’s the buckeye! Buckeyes are yummy game-day treats.

Oklahoma: Chicken-Fried Steak

When you fry a steak like chicken and then load it up with tasty gravy, you get the delicious chicken-fried steak!

Oregon: Dungeness Crab

Oregon’s favorite food comes from its coast: the Dungeness crab!

Pennsylvania: Philly Cheesesteaks

Of course, the Philly cheesesteak is the staple of Pennsylvania! This sandwich is absolutely iconic.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island-Style Calamari

With miles of coastline, this small state’s favorite food is Rhode Island-style calamari. These make for some seriously tasty appetizers.

South Carolina: Oyster Roasts

Oyster roasts aren’t only delicious, but they’re a social event! These gatherings found their roots in Native American history and are still held in the southeast region of America.

South Dakota: Chislic

Chislic is like a kabob, except there’s only one square of meat per toothpick. But these bites pack a serious punch!

Tennessee: Memphis-Style Barbecue

It’s impossible to mention Tennessee without bringing up BBQ. Memphis-style BBQ includes all sorts of things, but pulled pork seems to be a favorite.

Texas: Brisket

Texas is the home of a lot of great barbecue, but brisket takes the cake as the state’s favorite food!

Utah: Fry Sauce

The favorite food of Utah is not soup or a meal but instead, a humble sauce: fry sauce! Fry sauce is tangy and sweet, well equipped to balance out a salty fry.

Vermont: Apple Pie & Cheddar Cheese

Vermont’s favorite food is a twist on a national classic. This state is cooking up delicious apple pies with a slice of cheddar cheese on top!

Virginia: Brunswick Stew

Enjoy the cozy winters of Virginia with the Brunswick stew. Historically, squirrel and rabbit were found in this stew!

Washington: Salmon

With so much coastline, salmon is the clear favorite food of Washington.

West Virginia: Pepperoni Rolls

West Virginia’s favorite food is the delicious pepperoni roll. What a perfect appetizer!

Wisconsin: Frozen Custard

Wisconsin is the dairy capital of America! While it’s hard to choose one dairy item as a favorite, this sweet treat is a solid contender.

Wyoming: Rack of Lamb

Wyoming is another state with a favorite food related to its livestock population!

Summary of Every State’s Favorite Food

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