Which states in the USA are known for the best food and what are the dishes most associated with each state? A new poll has the answers.
A survey of 5,000 Americans—split evenly by state—explored sentiments about each region’s homemade dishes and which are the tastiest.
The top state chosen for best food was California—with New York, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida rounding out the top five regions with the best cuisine.
Above all, Louisianans know they’ve got it nailed: 94% of those surveyed expressed the most confidence in their state as having the best cuisine.
On the other hand, many states left respondents completely unimpressed with their cuisine—including West Virginia, Indiana, Montana, Delaware, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North and South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Everyone surveyed was asked to choose a dish that best represents their state; some were predictable, like New York’s pizza, California’s Mexican food, and Texas’ barbecue. (See full list at the bottom…)
Other responses were thoroughly original: New Hampshire residents boasted about their apple cider donuts, Utah folks took pride in their “fry sauce” and Ohioians ecstatically boasted about their “buckeyes.”
Conducted by Talker Research for HelloFresh, the survey found that 69% feel a sense of pride when preparing traditional recipes. These are so near and dear to respondents, that 53% make an effort to record or document traditional recipes.
Currently, the average American cooks 12 meals at home per week, and spends about 67 minutes a day at the stove — nearly 410 hours a year, or about 17 days.
“Food has always been about more than just sustenance — it’s how we connect, share stories and pass down traditions,” said Michelle Doll Olson, Senior Manager at HelloFresh US.
“From California shrimp tacos and Minnesota Juicy Lucy, to Louisiana gumbo and New York bagels, the dishes that define each state carry generations of family memories and cultural pride.
“And our survey shows that Americans are returning to the kitchen not just to cook, but to create moments of togetherness, and preserve family recipes.”
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WHAT DISH BEST REPRESENTS EACH STATE?
Alabama: “banana pudding,” “pinto beans and cornbread”
Alaska: “seafood,” “muktuk”
Arizona: “Mexican cuisine,” “Sonoran hot dogs”
Arkansas: “catfish,” “country fried chicken”
California: “Mexican food,” “burgers,” “shrimp tacos”
Colorado: “green chili on anything,” “Rocky Mountain oysters”
Connecticut: “clam chowder,” “pizza”
Delaware: “scrapple,” “Bengali cuisine”
Florida: “seafood,” “key lime pie,” “fresh orange juice”
Georgia: “peach cobbler,” “seafood boils”
Hawaii: “laulau,” “poke,” “loco moco”
Idaho: “potatoes”
Illinois: “deep dish pizza,” “Chicago-style hot dogs”
Indiana: “corn,” “pork tenderloin sandwich”
Iowa: “corn,” “pork chops”
Kansas: “barbecue,” “steak,” “chili with cinnamon rolls”
Kentucky: “fried chicken”
Louisiana: “crawfish,” “Cajun cuisine,” “gumbo”
Maine: “lobster”
Maryland: “crab cakes”
Massachusetts: “clam chowder,” “seafood”
Michigan: “cherry pie,” “Coney Island dogs”
Minnesota: “juicy Lucy,” “tater tot hot dish,” “walleye”
Mississippi: “fried catfish,” “soul food”
Missouri: “barbecue”
Montana: “steak,” “wild game,” “huckleberry”
Nebraska: “Runza sandwiches”
Nevada: “buffets,” “Mexican”
New Hampshire: “seafood,” “apple cider donuts”
New Jersey: “Italian food,” “pizza,” “Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich”
New Mexico: “green chilis,” “enchiladas”
New York: “pizza,” “bagel and cream cheese”
North Carolina: “barbecue,” “knoephla soup”
Ohio: “buckeyes”
Oklahoma: “chicken fried steak,” “comfort food”
Oregon: “salmon,” “marionberry pie”
Pennsylvania: “pierogies,” “cheesesteaks”
Rhode Island: “seafood,” “clam cakes,” “chowder”
South Carolina: “soul food”
South Dakota: “fry bread”
Tennessee: “barbecue”
Texas: “Tex Mex,” “barbecue”
Utah: “Jello salad,” “fry sauce,” “funeral potatoes”
Vermont: “pancakes with maple syrup,” “mac and cheese”
Virginia: “ham”
Washington: “apples,” “salmon”
West Virginia: “pepperoni rolls”
Wisconsin: “cheese,” “fish fry”
Wyoming: “steak”