Do you ever dream of a food tour vacation? Are your favorite TV shows about food destinations? If so, get your fork and knife ready because we’re traveling coast to coast to find what our great states have to offer.
Alabama
Fried everything is what Alabama does best, from green tomatoes to catfish to okra. Find it all at Sunday supper or a tailgate party.
Florida
Eighty percent of the nation’s citrus products hail from the Sunshine State, so most people associate it with oranges. But its official dessert — Key lime pie — gets its sassy tang from the state’s iconic limes.
Georgia
In our minds, we’re all leaving on a midnight train to enjoy the juicy peaches The Big Peach is known for. With tens of thousands of tons produced each year, y’all see how the state got its nickname.
North Carolina
In the Tar Heel State, the pulled pork sandwich is either drowned in a tangy vinegar sauce (“Eastern-style”) or a sweeter, ketchup-spiked sauce (“Western-style”). Either way it’s served up, this ain’t North Carolinians’ first rodeo on the pit.
South Carolina
What started out as a fisherman’s breakfast, shrimp ’n’ grits is now an authentic dish. Only in recent decades has this seafood and cornmeal porridge become popular, and now most restaurants along the coast have their own version.
Tennessee
Volunteer to try hot fried chicken while in the Volunteer State. The meat is marinated in a milk-based blend of seasoning, then floured, fried and doused with a mixture of cayenne pepper and other spices blended with cooking oil. Yee-haw!
Virginia
The Old Dominion is happy to be known for its cured country ham. Even the motto of Smithfield, Virginia, is “Ham, history and hospitality.” We’re talking salt ham here, not for the faint of heart.
Watch Publix News Live to see a tasting of these states’ dishes and scroll down for the rest of the 50 states’ favorites!
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Alaska
The Last Frontier is a source of a large amount of seafood, especially salmon. The catch can be smoked, cured, dehydrated or even turned into candy!
Arizona
Mexico influenced this state’s culinary cuisine, and chimichangas are pretty much deep-fried burritos. Who could say no to that?
Arkansas
Go fish! Catfish are a standard throughout the state, usually served with a side of hush puppies and sweet iced tea.
California
Avocados are this state’s Instagram-able, go-to ingredient for everything from guacamole to wraps and smoothies.
Colorado
Some people say the Centennial State lays claim to the best lamb in the world. Considering how many are raised there, we’d have to agree.
Connecticut
Originating in the city of New Haven, the clam pie is a pizza and seafood lover’s dream. The pie is a pizza crust covered with clams, grated parmesan, olive oil, garlic and oregano. We’ll take two — pies, not slices.
Delaware
A favorite across the Mid-Atlantic region, scrapple is so popular it’s become one of the state’s most iconic dishes. Ingredients include pork trimmings, cornmeal and flour.
Hawaii
Say Aloha to this island state’s dish, poi. Made from taro root, poi is mixed with water for a pudding-like consistency.
Idaho
Why did the potato cross the road? He saw a fork up ahead. Whether you prefer russet, red, fingerling or gold, potatoes have been rightly claimed as its official food.
Illinois
Baked in a deep-edge pan, with layers of sauce and cheese piled on the dough, the deep-dish pizza reigns in the Land of Lincoln — and rightfully so.
Indiana
A pork tenderloin sandwich is a must-try in the Hoosier State. This deep-fried breaded cutlet on a hamburger bun is dressed with the works and pairs perfectly with a pop for them Indiana boys on them Indiana nights.
Iowa
About 2 billion bushels of corn are grown “knee-high by the Fourth of July” every year. Just one bite of sweet corn on the cob brings you into the state’s rolling hills, cricks, scenic rivers and friendly small towns.
Kansas
In the Sunflower State, barbecue rules. It’s easy to find ribs, chicken and sausages on pretty much every menu, so be sure to wear a bib and dig in.
Kentucky
The Bluegrass State is known for bourbon, the derby and its hot brown sandwich. Originally created in Louisville, it’s a hot, open-faced sandwich of turkey, bacon and Mornay sauce — a must try next time you’re over-yonder.
Louisiana
Aside from the New Orleans po’boy and beignet, gumbo is a state staple. The parish you’re in determines the type of gumbo served, but the stew typically consists of crawfish, shrimp, sausage, okra and a whole lot of flavor. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Maine
More lobster is caught off this rocky coast than any other state, so it’s common to find lobster rolls on every street corner. In the Pine State, the tasty crustacean is tossed with mayonnaise and diced celery and served on a warm, grilled bun. De-lish!
Maryland
You can’t help but think of crab when thinking about the Old Line State. The Chesapeake Bay is home to the blue crab, the official state crustacean. Be sure to enjoy the various styles of crab cakes for a true tour of the state.
Massachusetts
The seafood game is strong in this part of coastal New England. Clam chowder (pronounced chow-dah) is a creamy soup made with potatoes, crushed oyster crackers and chewy chunks of clam. Wicked good.
Michigan
Ask any Michigander, and they’ll say a pastry should be on your list of things to eat there. Similar to a calzone, it’s a pocket of crust filled with meat, potatoes, onions and vegetables. It’s a pot pie without the pot!
Minnesota
Hotdish is Minnesotan for casserole, dontchaknow, and the tater tot variety is one of the North Star State’s favorites. Tots line the top of the mixture of beef, green beans, corn and cream of mushroom soup. What better comfort food for the state’s harsh winters?
Mississippi
The South is known for its culinary traditions, and in the Magnolia State, cornbread dressing is a favorite. Essentially Thanksgiving stuffing, it’s made with onion, celery, sage and, of course, cornbread.
Missouri
Toasted ravioli is a favorite in the Show-Me State. Legend says a cook in St. Louis dropped a cooked ravioli into hot fat, and Missourians have been enjoying this appetizer with marinara sauce ever since.
Montana
From pie to ice cream to jelly, huckleberries are a staple for natives year-round. Just don’t eat ’em when you’re hiking or camping because bears can catch their scent from miles away.
Nebraska
In the Cornhusker State, runzas are to sandwiches as calzones are to pizza. Nebraskans can’t live without these signature pockets filled with beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, onions and seasonings.
Nevada
Only in a city of endless buffets and upscale dinner options would someone come up with the idea of serving seafood and sauce in a martini glass. Since originating in Las Vegas in 1959, the shrimp cocktail has become an icon of the Silver State.
New Hampshire
Cider doughnuts are a New England favorite and delicious delight. Plain or with a cinnamon-sugar glaze, these old-fashioned treats will never go out of style.
New Jersey
Buckle up for The Triple Bypass, also known as the Jersey breakfast or Taylor ham sandwich. Bagel stores are found throughout the state, and this ham, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is a go-to for any local.
New Mexico
Distinctly different than chili, green chile is preferred by people in The Land of Enchantment for just about any occasion and on just about anything.
New York
Apples abound in the Empire State, and growers produce more than a billion pounds per year. Top varieties include Crispin, Empire, Idared and Rome.
North Dakota
Introduced by German settlers in the Great Plains, kuchen is a comfort food for North Dakotans. The coffee-cake-like dessert has a filling that combines custard and often a fruit, such as apple. It can be expected at gatherings and found at grandma’s kuchen table.
Ohio
It’s only fitting the Buckeye State has a candy named after its state tree. These peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate are said to resemble the nut of a Buckeye tree. Most Ohioans have their own recipes, but they can also be found in coffee shops across the state.
Oklahoma
The Sooner State didn’t stop at a single official food — it chose an entire meal! Chicken fried steak, fried okra and black-eyed peas are just a sampling of everything on the plate. Okies claim to have some of the best versions out there.
Oregon
Marionberries are a hybrid between two types of blackberries developed in the Beaver State. Although they’re found in jams, candies and syrups, the tart berries are most popularly eaten in pies.
Pennsylvania
With more cheesesteak restaurants than the rest of the country, this state is known for the Philly cheesesteak. The crusty roll is filled with juicy beef and topped with fried onions, peppers and cheese.
Rhode Island
America’s smallest state defined itself with its official state drink: coffee milk. Think of really sweet milk with a hint of coffee. Or coffee ice cream melted and poured over ice. So pretty much if you like coffee and have a sweet tooth, you should try this Ocean State staple.
South Dakota
Chislic is deep-fried and salted cubes of lamb, venison or beef served by toothpicks and enjoyed with garlic salt and saltine crackers. Although most prevalent in this state, the salty delicacy shows up in other Midwestern communities too.
Texas
Nothing says Lone Star State like Tex-Mex and Mexican food. The difference between the two is mostly what ingredients and starch are used. Regardless, both are popular picks.
Utah
Funeral potatoes may sound sad, but they’re anything but. The baked casserole usually consists of potatoes, canned soup, cheese and sour cream with a topping of corn flakes and is enjoyed with cubed ham, frozen peas or broccoli florets.
Vermont
Cheese, please! In the Green Mountain State, many folks look to take a bite of apple pie with cheddar cheese. The state Legislature even signed an act in 1999 declaring a piece of apple pie should be served with a slice of cheddar weighing a minimum ½ ounce. How do you like them apples?
Washington
While you can also get salmon in Alaska, the smoked sockeye salmon is a must try in the Evergreen State. It’s caught right off the shores and can be found on menus all over the state and at fish markets.
West Virginia
Known to the locals as a pepperoni roll, this go-to snack was a coal miners’ lunch option in the first half of the 20th century. The yummy snack is made of fairly soft white bread with pepperoni baked into the middle.
Wisconsin
A byproduct of the cheese making process, cheese curds have the same firmness as cheese but have a springy, rubbery texture. They squeak as you eat them, which apparently is a sign of freshness. Who knew?
Wyoming
The Cowboy State is known for its trout fishing, but did you know Yellowstone National Park is home to America’s largest bison herds? So it’s a no brainer that you’d find bison jerky here.
