A Stiff Competition
If you live in America, you’ve probably had the opportunity to try a variety of state-favored dishes. However, it’s pretty clear that not all of these dishes hold up against each other. With that in mind, here are some of the worst and best foods available across the United States.
L. W. Yang from Los Angeles, California, USA on Wikimedia
1. Texas - Brisket
Texas is essentially synonymous with barbecue, and there’s no better contender than their world-famous brisket. It’s often slowly smoked to perfection and is known for its deep flavor and juicy bite.
2. Louisiana – Jambalaya
Jambalaya is essentially a one-pot dish taken to the next level. It usually involves rice, sausage, and seafood. Of course, it relies on Cajun spices to really bring out the flavor and is as hearty as it gets.
3. California – Fish Tacos
Being right next to the ocean, it makes sense that California is redefining seafood. Additionally, their Latin integrations have led to a bold blend of Mexican food. These tacos are often light and fresh and feature either grilled or battered fish.
4. New York – Pizza
Everyone knows about the famous New York slice, the key characteristics of which involve a foldable crust, a thin density, and lots of gooey mozzarella. In fact, plenty of other regions around the world attempt to emulate the New York slice, but nothing beats the real deal.
5. Pennsylvania – Philly Cheesesteak
Pennsylvania is home to Philadelphia, which is known across the world for its hearty Philly cheesesteaks. What makes this sandwich a standout is the use of thinly sliced beef and loads of melted cheese.
6. Tennessee – Nashville Hot Chicken
You can probably get Nashville hot chicken anywhere in the world now, but nothing beats the original innovation in Tennessee. The idea is to blend crispy chicken with fiery flavor. Oftentimes, it is coated in a spice-infused oil and is unbelievably addictive.
7. Illinois – Deep-Dish Pizza
You’ve probably heard about Chicago’s deep-dish pizza. After all, it may just be Illinois’ claim to fame. What separates it from a usual pizza is the use of depth and a buttery crust. Aside from that, there’s usually chunky tomato sauce and plenty of meat to tie in the flavors.
Belinda Hankins Miller on Wikimedia
8. New Mexico – Sopaipilla
Sitting on the border of Mexico, it makes sense that there are lots of delectable Latin dishes to try in this state, one of the most famous being sopaipilla. This dessert is essentially a golden-fried pastry that is often drizzled with honey. The sweetness makes it the perfect companion to other spicy offerings.
9. Wisconsin – Cheese Curds
Wisconsin is known for its production of cheese and dairy, and nothing quite beats its cheese curds – except possibly Quebec’s. Either way, in America, it doesn’t get better than this if you want a squeaky exterior and a cheesy interior.
10. South Carolina – Shrimp & Grits
South Carolina is all about southern comfort, and there’s nothing as warm and hearty as a bowl of shrimp and grits. Known to be quite creamy, the grits are sometimes mixed in with bacon but often topped with shrimp.
Now that we have talked about winning state dishes, here are 10 that are famous for all the wrong reasons.
1. North Dakota - Lutefisk
The description of this dish alone is enough to turn many people away from trying it. It’s essentially a gelatinous whitefish dish made by soaking dried cod in lye. It was originally brought in by Scandinavian immigrants.
Ennorehling (talk · contribs) on Wikimedia
2. Nebraska – Runza
Runza is a doughy bread pocket that is stuffed with various contents, usually cabbage or beef, though. It’s nothing crazy or strange, but many people find it to be a bit bland. Compared to some other state winners, it explains why this dish isn’t rated higher.
3. Ohio – Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati chili is a strange mix. You essentially top spaghetti with chili that’s been incorporated with cinnamon and chocolate. Most outsiders struggle with the weird flavor combinations, but it’s apparently loved in Ohio.
4. Pennsylvania – Scrapple
Scrapple finds its roots in Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and is often served as a breakfast. It’s a mixture of pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, and the contents are then fried to be crispy. Most people aren’t a fan of eating pork scraps, though.
5. Utah – Funeral Potatoes
With a name like that, the dish already doesn’t sound promising, but it was essentially served at Mormon gatherings. It’s made up of cheesy and creamy potatoes and served like a casserole with cornflakes on top. It can be comforting, but there’s really nothing special going on.
6. Wyoming – Rocky Mountain Oysters
Seafood fans should turn away at this one, as it isn’t at all what you think it is. Instead, these are made from the private parts of bulls—oh, and they’re deep-fried too.
Vincent Diamante from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia
7. Alaska – Muktuk
Muktuk gets its roots from Indigenous Alaskans, but the flavor simply doesn’t translate. It’s made of frozen whale blubber and skin and is often eaten raw. By now, we know whales aren’t the tastiest animals around, but it’s better than nothing if you’re trying to survive the frigid Alaskan cold.
8. Montana – Huckleberry Everything
Montana simply loves its huckleberries, and they incorporate them into everything from barbecue to pie. The unfortunate thing is it really doesn’t taste like anything special and can easily be substituted for any other berry just the same.
9. West Virginia – Pepperoni Rolls
Everyone loves pepperoni rolls. They’re a simple snack, with soft bread outsides and a meaty inside. The only issue is they’re kind of boring, especially when other states have far more inventive offerings.
Lenin and McCarthy on Wikimedia
10. Iowa – Iowa Chop
The Iowa Chop struggles with the same issue as pepperoni rolls. It’s a good idea and all, but it’s kind of basic. It’s essentially an extra-thick pork chop that is either grilled or boiled. That’s about it, really.
