The Best Dish to Order in Every U.S. State

The One Dish You Have to Try in Every U.S. State

Some meals are basically the same no matter where you eat them (we’re looking at you, peanut butter and jelly). But when you’ve got a hankering for fry bread, fish tacos or possum pie, you have to know the right place to get it. Here’s the best dish to order when you’re visiting every state in the U.S.

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Brian L./Yelp

1/51

Alabama: Fried Catfish

Eat this crispy delicacy alone, on a sandwich or paired with fried sides like hush puppies and onion rings.

Where to get it: Newbern’s Restaurant in Florence

Chris R./Yelp

2/51

Alaska: Reindeer Dog

This isn’t your average hot dog. It’s made with reindeer meat (yep) and topped with sautéed onions and chipotle sauce.

Where to get it: International House of Hot Dogs in Anchorage

Emerson Fry Bread/Facebook

3/51

Arizona: Fry Bread

A warm, toasty Native American delicacy that can be eaten plain or topped with meat, cheese and veggies.

Where to get it: Emerson Fry Bread in Phoenix

Beth C./Yelp

4/51

Arkansas: Possum Pie

Don’t worry, there’s no actual possum in this dessert. It’s a lasagna-like layer cake with pecans, cream cheese, chocolate and whipped cream.

Where to get it: Stoby’s Restaurant in Conway

Oscar’s Mexican Seafood/Facebook

5/51

California: Fish Tacos

Tacos with grilled fish are served all over the country, but you just haven’t lived until you’ve had 'em topped with avocado on the West Coast.

Where to get it: Oscars Mexican Seafood in San Diego

@esfontes13/Instagram

6/51

Colorado: Rocky Mountain Oysters

Nope, they’re not actually oysters. They’re bull testicles. And believe it or not, they’re wildly popular. (Yep, seriously.)

Where to get it: Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant in Denver

@josemontero3/Instagram

7/51

Connecticut: Lobster Roll

This state was the birthplace of this dreamy sandwich in the ’20s, and unlike in Maine, locals believe it’s only a lobster roll if it’s served warm and drenched in butter.

Where to get it: Lobster Landing in Clinton

Celeste M./Yelp

8/51

Delaware: Scrapple

OK, this stuff isn’t exactly the world’s most beautiful food. (It kind of looks like a meat brick.) But when you put it on an egg-and-cheese sandwich, it’s heaven.

Where to get it: Lucky’s Coffee Shop in Wilmington

@dylanposc_10/Instagram

9/51

Florida: Rock Shrimp

What’s the difference between these beauties and regular shrimp? They have a hard, spiny shell and taste sweeter—almost like lobster.

Where to get it: Dixie Crossroads Restaurant in Titusville

JCT Kitchen and Bar

10/51

Georgia: Chicken and Dumplings

From a no-frills bowl to the more sophisticated take, this Southern staple is always done right.

Where to get it: JCT Kitchen and Bar in Atlanta

@shomizukami/Instagram

11/51

Hawaii: Poke

Before you fill up on Spam, try this traditional raw fish salad that’s gaining traction all over the country.

Where to get it: Ono Seafood in Honolulu

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

12/51

Idaho: Finger Steaks

Why eat regular old chicken fingers when you could eat fried beef tenderloin strips instead?

Where to get it: The Westside Drive-In in Boise

Lou Malnati's

13/51

Illinois: Deep Dish Pizza

When in Chicago, this ooey, gooey delight is a must. But be warned—one slice is an entire meal.

Where to get it: Lou Malnati’s in Chicago

Wick's Pies/Facebook

14/51

Indiana: Hoosier Pie

Why fill a pie with fruit when you could add more sugar and cream? It’s the Indiana way.

Where to get it: Wick’s Pies in Winchester

Nicks/Facebook

15/51

Iowa: Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

It’s sliced thin, fried, then topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, jalapeños and banana peppers. Who could ask for anything more?

Where to get it: Nick’s in Des Moines

Jay R./Yelp

16/51

Kansas: Bierock

Pronounced “beer-rock,” this savory pastry pocket stuffed with meat originated in Russia but has become big in the Midwest.

Where to get it: Deano’s Grill and Tapworks in Wichita

Ashley I./Yelp

17/51

Kentucky: Burgoo

This hearty stew can be concocted with whatever leftover meat you have on hand, and is easily transformed into a brunch dish by adding eggs and biscuits.

Where to get it: Harvest Restaurant in Louisville

Eva I./Yelp

18/51

Louisiana: Beignets

These square-shaped doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar don’t have a hole, so you get an extra bite out of the deal.

Where to get it: Café du Monde in New Orleans

Tim C./Yelp

19/51

Maine: Lobster Fra Diavolo

The next time you’re craving lobster, trade in the melted butter for pasta and a spicy tomato sauce.

Where to get it: Street & Co. in Portland

The Narrows

20/51

Maryland: Crab Cakes

They’re best when served plain and simple, with fresh crabmeat. (If it’s canned, you’re doing it wrong.)

Where to get it: The Narrows Restaurant in Grasonville

Trip Advisor

21/51

Massachusetts: Clam Chowder

This creamy seafood soup is popular all over New England...but don't you dare add tomatoes.

Where to get it: Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston

@itsbeals/Instagram

22/51

Michigan: Pasty

Originally eaten by miners in the 1800s, this meat hand pie is equal parts tasty and portable.

Where to get it: Lehto’s Pasties in St. Ignace

The Mason Jar

23/51

Minnesota: Tater Tot Hotdish

Wait, there’s a land where this cheesy Tater Tot casserole is served in every restaurant? We’re moving.

Where to get it: The Mason Jar in Eagan

Brian C./Yelp

24/51

Mississippi: Mud Pie

Decadent and gooey, this treat has a chocolate crust and chocolate filling and is topped with chocolate sauce. It’s not pretty, but damn, it’s tasty.

Where to get it: Rusty’s Riverfront Grill in Vicksburg

@kavitabaluni/Instagram

25/51

Missouri: Toasted Ravioli

These little guys are what dreams are made of: Deep-fried ravioli dusted with Parmesan cheese and served with marinara dipping sauce. Mmm...

Where to get it: Mama Toscano’s Ravioli in St. Louis

Candice C./Yelp

26/51

Montana: Pickle Barrel Sandwich

Move over, $5 foot-longs. In Montana, this 17.5-incher is king.

Where to get it: Pickle Barrel, various locations

Matt M./Yelp

27/51

Nebraska: Reuben Sandwich

Get this classic in the state that invented it—you can never go wrong with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye.

Where to get it: Crescent Moon Ale House in Omaha

Jason Lam/Flickr

28/51

Nevada: Shrimp Cocktail

Before hitting the buffet, save a little room for a classic casino treat, cold shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce.

Where to get it: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Emily K./Yelp

29/51

New Hampshire: Fried Clam Strips

Don’t worry, guys. Unlike Rocky Mountain oysters, these are actually fried clams.

Where to get it: Markey’s Lobster Pool in Seabrook

Kristina S./Yelp

30/51

New Jersey: Disco Fries

You know what? Regular fries aren’t decadent enough. Let’s smother them with gravy and mozzarella.

Where to get it: Tick Tock Diner in Clifton

Trung N./Yelp

31/51

New Mexico: Green Chile Enchilada

Sampling the state’s famous green chiles is mandatory, and they’re famously added to burgers, burritos, tacos and our favorite, cheesy enchiladas.

Where to get it: Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque

Ess-a-Bagel

32/51

New York: Bagel with Lox

There’s no better place on earth to get an everything bagel toasted with a “schmear” of cream cheese, capers and lox (aka cold smoked salmon).

Where to get it: Ess-a-Bagel in Manhattan

S.K./Yelp

33/51

North Carolina: Barbecue Pulled Pork

You can’t leave this state without trying its smoked meat. Eat it in sandwich form or with hush puppies and mac and cheese.

Where to get it: Midwood Smokehouse in Charlotte

@feistyeats/Instagram

34/51

North Dakota: Poutine

It originated in Canada, but it’s crept down to the states. Fries with cheese curds and gravy, you complete us.

Where to get it: Pounds in Fargo

Skyline Chili

35/51

Ohio: Skyline Chili

This favorite is smothered on hot dogs and spaghetti and topped with an extremely generous sprinkling of shredded cheese. Sign us up.

Where to get it: Skyline Chili, various locations

Cheever's Cafe/Facebook

36/51

Oklahoma: Chicken Fried Steak

When in the Sooner state, pound your steak thin, deep-fry it and douse it with white gravy.

Where to get it: Cheever’s Cafe in Oklahoma City

Bipartisan Café/Facebook

37/51

Oregon: Marionberry Pie

These sweeter, juicier blackberries are grown locally, so it’s no wonder the pies have become a regional favorite.

Where to get it: Bipartisan Café in Portland

Rob S./Yelp

38/51

Pennsylvania: Tomato Pie

Once you’ve tried cheesesteak, sample the state’s other delicacy: square pizza topped with tomato sauce (and sometimes onion and anchovy, but not cheese).

Where to get it: Villari Bros. Bakery in Philadelphia

Evelyn's Drive-In/Facebook

39/51

Rhode Island: Calamari

Here, they’re lightly breaded, panfried and served with banana peppers and a garlic-butter sauce.

Where to get it: Evelyn’s Drive-In in Tiverton

Joanna M./Yelp

40/51

South Carolina: Shrimp and Grits

You can order this hot porridge dish in other states…but trust us, it’s not the same.

Where to get it: Hominy Grill in Charleston

Ross A./Yelp

41/51

South Dakota: Chislic

This snack featuring cubes of wild game or beef on a skewer originated in Russia before making its way to the states.

Where to get it: Botski’s Bar & Grill in Sioux Falls

Tony C./Yelp

42/51

Tennessee: Smoked Ribs

When you’re planning your last meal, you might want to swing by and give this legendary barbecue a try. (P.S. This is a half-order.)

Where to get it: Peg Leg Porker in Nashville

@fajitasagogo/Instagram

43/51

Texas: Fajitas

Naturally, the state that invented Tex-Mex has mastered the sizzling-taco-fixings-on-a-skillet game.

Where to get it: Fajitas a Go Go in Houston

Jessie R./Yelp

44/51

Utah: French Fries with Fry Sauce

What is fry sauce, you ask? It’s a secret. (Just kidding, it’s a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise.)

Where to get it: Chedda Burger in Salt Lake City

@3friendsandafork/Instagram

45/51

Vermont: Grilled Cheddar Cheese

You can get a great grilled cheese anywhere, but for the most mind-blowing sandwich of your life, get it made with Vermont cheddar.

Where to get it: Woodstock Farmers' Market in Woodstock

J. David H/Yelp

46/51

Virginia: Ham Biscuits

These regional treats are served on Christmas morning, New Year’s Eve and for pretty much every football game of the year.

Where to get it: Three Ships Coffee Roasters in Virginia Beach

Seafood Cioppino at Duke s Chowder House in Seattle

Jessica C./Yelp

47/51

Washington: Cioppino

This tomato-based fish stew originated in San Francisco, but its neighbors to the north have officially adopted it.

Where to get it: Duke's Chowder House in Seattle

@apinchofthis/Instagram

48/51

Washington, D.C.: Half Smoke

It’s basically a hot dog, but bigger, spicier and with a coarser, meatier texture. (Don’t worry, you can still eat it with fries.)

Where to get it: Bold Bite Burgers in Union Station

Colasessanos/Facebook

49/51

West Virginia: Pepperoni Roll

A snack that’s exactly what it sounds like—a soft roll stuffed with sticks of pepperoni. Genius.

Where to get it: Colasessanos World Famous Pizza and Pepperoni Buns in Fairmont

@radiantstar/Instagram

50/51

Wisconsin: Cheese Curds

Those Wisconsans sure do know how to snack. Fried or plain, cheese curds are on bar and restaurant menus all over the state.

Where to get it: The Horse & Plow in Kohler

@broskibrock/Instagram

51/51

Wyoming: Bison Burger

You can order up a burger made with bison meat just as easily as a regular hamburger in this glorious state. Extra ketchup, please.

Where to get it: Liberty Burger in Jackson

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The One Dish You Have to Try in Every U.S. State

And the best place to eat it