# Most iconic food from each state **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 4, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151 "2024-05-04T23:48:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/61 "2024-05-05T17:10:19Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Colorado is _lamb_? Yeah, that’s weird. I lived there for 4 years and never saw it. > [@ParallelLines](#): > > Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that as a former New Mexican of 12 year, I’d say a Pueblo Chile option here in the Springs I lived in Denver, and the weird thing about Colorado green chiles versus New Mexican chiles was prominent. > **[Why Colorado and New Mexico Are Fighting a Hot War Over Green Chile](https://www.outsideonline.com/food/food-culture/green-chile-new-mexico-versus-colorado/?scope=anon)** > > For years, these Rocky Mountain states have squared off on a spicy subject: Who grows the best chile peppers, an indispensable ingredient in southwestern cuisine? Our man hit the road to find out. For Florida they listed Key Lime pie; while it’s iconic to key West, the Cuban Sandwich has larger reach; there’s a competition between Tampa and Miami over who has the better one. (Tampa, you see, had the original Cuban exiles, before Miami became a haven once Castro arrived) > **[The Cuban Sandwich Crisis: Tampa V. Miami For The Win](https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/04/21/151050107/the-cuban-sandwich-crisis-tampa-v-miami-for-the-win)** > > Tampa and Miami are battling it out for the rights to the Cuban sandwich. NPR's own news directors from WLRN in Miami and WUSF in Tampa are making their cases, and you, the readers and listeners, can help decide. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/62 "2024-05-05T17:13:34Z")
New Hampshirite here. Poutine for NH is WTF for me. I have NEVER had it. New Hampshire is kind of hard state to think of a food EXCLUSIVE to the state and not one of the surrounding states. **Chicken fingers** were invented in Manchester NH at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant so I guess I would choose them. Massachusetts first thought was Boston Baked Beans for me. Or Boston Brown Bread. or Fluffernutter(it is Mass’s official state sandwich!!) Vermont. I would have gone with Maple Syrup or Maple Sugar Candy. Or Maple Pie. Or Maple Walnut Ice Cream ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/63 "2024-05-05T17:17:59Z")
The article doesn’t work for me, but based on my experiences living in various states I’m guessing: Pennsylvania - either something PA Dutch like scrapple or the Philly cheesesteak Nebraska - corn dogs or Runzas Florida - actually, I don’t even want to think about what an iconic food from Florida might be. Unless it’s Cuban cuisine or orange juice, it’s probably something gross. How’d I do? ETA: I’ve just seen the post about Florida and Key Lime Pie (and Cuban sandwiches). Better than I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/64 "2024-05-05T17:18:20Z")
So does anyone who can do arithmetic. The Chicago metropolitan area is 8.9 million people, while the state as a whole is 12.6 million. 70% is definitely “most”. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/65 "2024-05-05T17:23:10Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > IMO the most iconic food from Oklahoma is the onion burger. Confirmed. You even see it on some menus as the Oklahoma burger. ---
**Author:** ![Beesnest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@Beesnest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beesnest)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/66 "2024-05-05T17:33:20Z")
Virginia has peanut soup which is only served where they are trying to show Revolutionary era foods. And it is not that good. At least choose cornbread skillet. Or Ham. In NOVA (northern VA) I would pick Peruvian chicken and plantains. In the rural part of the state I would say biscuits or grits. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/67 "2024-05-05T18:58:07Z")
Though they got it wrong. The describe tater tot hot dish - which is the epitome of Minnesota hot dish (for those that want to try, brown a pound of ground beef - onions are completely optional - dump it in a casserole - the serving dish is called a casserole, the thing you eat is a hot dish - add some frozen or canned vegetables of your choice - corn is our favorite, but I’ve had it with green beans or peas. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup - Campbells, please - and salt and pepper. Mix it altogether and spread it evenly, then put one layer of tater tots on top and bake according to the tater tot directions on the bag. Its amazingly good, kids tend to love it, and its a winter comfort food that takes almost no effort). But hot dish - with elbow macaroni and canned tomatos and ground beef or with tuna and cream soup and those fried french onion things, or with chicken and salsa and cheddar cheese and a packet of taco seasoning - is far more flexible. It doesn’t ALWAYS involve tater tots - heck, around her, lasagna qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/68 "2024-05-05T21:11:14Z")
Have you been to Oklahoma… that IS about the best thing the state can offer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/69 "2024-05-05T21:41:13Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > Have you been to Oklahoma… that IS about the best thing the state can offer. - True also for Utah. I had to laugh when I read that their iconic food is… fry sauce. And it’s true! I know that fry sauce. I grew to adolescence in Utah. What else could you pick? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/70 "2024-05-05T21:49:46Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Nebraska - corn dogs or Runzas Oh, gosh, I haven’t thought of runzas in years. My dad told me a story once, and he may have got it second- or third-hand, about the owner of the Runza Hut restaurant chain. He owned a racehorse and named it Runzaton (emphasis on the first syllable). At his first race, the announcer kept mispronouncing it as Runzation (second syllable), so they didn’t realize at first that they’d won. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/71 "2024-05-06T02:13:57Z")
I thought chicken fried steak might be Texas. Or for Texas…tacos or burritos, or Blue Bell Ice Cream (Butter Pecan or Homemade Vanilla). What is the food for Texas, anyone? NM ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/72 "2024-05-06T02:36:47Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > New Hampshirite here. Poutine for NH is WTF for me. I have NEVER had it. New Hampshire is kind of hard state to think of a food EXCLUSIVE to the state and not one of the surrounding states. **Chicken fingers** were invented in Manchester NH at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant so I guess I would choose them. I lived full time in NH from 1970-1976, and it was my home base for years after that while I was off at college and grad school, and I agree. (Cool story about chicken fingers - I didn’t know that!) All I know about poutine I learned from my son’s Canadian girlfriend. Oh actually, I’d probably want to choose a Friendly’s sundae for the iconic food - but they went out of business years ago, didn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/73 "2024-05-06T02:44:06Z")
There are still a handful of Friendly’s around. I don’t know if there are any in New Hampshire, but I know they exist in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania at least. Not like in the old days though… And the ice cream is still available in grocery stores in my part of New York State, even though the restaurants have been gone for 25 years here. Mmm, Friendly’s. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/74 "2024-05-06T02:45:14Z")
I always thought Frito pie was Texan. Made with Wolf’s chili, tell ya whut. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/75 "2024-05-06T02:51:47Z")
Bet that nine out of ten people who know it at all would pick the Juicy Lucy as Minnesota’s iconic food. Either that or lutefisk (which is not all that bad, actually). Personally, I’d nominate the breaded onion rings served at Porky’s drive-ins. Delicious, especially when accompanied by a vanilla malt! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/76 "2024-05-06T03:04:47Z")
> [@saucywench](#): > > What is the food for Texas, anyone? See No. 73. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/77 "2024-05-06T03:07:58Z")
That’ s how I remember it. No lettuce or tomatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/78 "2024-05-06T03:08:20Z")
Especially since fritos originated in San Antonio > [@saucywench](#): > > What is the food for Texas, anyone? Brisket, apparently. I would have put Tex-Mex first, but the number of BBQ restaurants, Tex-Mex restaurants and places serving chicken fried steak are probably almost equal ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/79 "2024-05-06T03:12:21Z")
I splurged a while back and ordered a six-pack of Wolf’s from Amazon. Cost me almost $70, but I just had to try it! Pretty darned good, but my chili is still better. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151/80 "2024-05-06T03:17:40Z")
You paid seventy bucks for six cans of chili? Ones that might cost two or three dollars each in a supermarket? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iconic-food-from-each-state/1001151.md?page=5)