Each state has a lot to offer when it comes to food. With a rich and vast history, each sector of the United States has developed its own culinary staples. You may be able to think of some of the best hamburgers, best pizzerias, and best coffee shops for each state, but do you know there’s a specific food that each place is known for that goes beyond traditional restaurants? Some of these food choices may even come as a surprise.
Indiana. Indiana doesn’t have any official state foods, but it does still have some famous state dishes. The Hoosier sandwich is filled with a breaded pork tenderloin, while Hoosier sugar cream pie is the state’s most iconic dessert.
North Carolina: Scuppernong grape
This grape was named after the Scuppernong River in North Carolina, where it was first discovered. They are similar to white grapes but are usually larger with small seeds inside each one. Scuppernongs became the official state fruit of North Carolina in 2001.
If you’ve never heard of a chokecherry, you’re certainly not the only one. Chokecherries are relatively common across the state of North Dakota and are typically eaten by wild animals, but they’re also enjoyed by humans in preserves, juice, and jelly. They became the official state fruit of North Dakota in 2007.
The largest edible fruit native to North America, pawpaws were declared the official state native fruit of Ohio in 2009. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew their own pawpaws, but the fruit also grows wild in 26 states. They are described as having a tropical taste like a mango, with more of a yeast and floral aftertaste.
The official state meal of Oklahoma includes a bunch of fried okra, cornbread, biscuits, chicken fried steak, and other staples that reflect Oklahoma’s historical agriculture. Fried okra consists of sliced okra that’s coated in buttermilk, flour, cornmeal, and various other seasonings before being fried to a crisp.
A whopping 99 percent of hazelnuts in the U.S. are grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Named the state nut in 1989, they grow on single-trunked trees that stand up to 40 feet tall. While delicious on their own, hazelnuts are a popular coffee flavoring in addition to being paired with chocolate (even white chocolate) and liqueur, or used as a nut butter spread.
Pennsylvania doesn’t have any official state foods, but shoofly pie has a place on the tables of Lancaster County. The Pennsylvania Dutch make this concoction with molasses and a light crumb topping—think coffee cake in a pie crust.
The official state appetizer of Rhode Island was decided back in 2014 to commemorate the thriving squid industry of this little state. The culinary experts of Rhode Island lightly fry the squid with thin slices of pickled hot peppers to create delicious calamari. Sometimes they even serve it with a side of marinara sauce.
Barbecue became the official state picnic cuisine of South Carolina in 2014, thanks to their reputation for having the best barbecue in the nation—although other states may disagree. Barbecue joints across the state tend to follow sauce recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Chislic was named the “official nosh” of South Dakota in 2018. Not to be confused with shish kebab—which combines both meat and vegetables—chislic is more straightforward, using just cubes of meat, stacked on skewers. Both German and Russian immigrants are credited with bringing chislic to South Dakota in the late 1800s.
To-may-to, to-mah-to. No matter how you say it, tomatoes were designated the official state fruit of Tennessee back in 2003. While typically used in association with vegetables, the beloved tomatoes is actually a fruit.
Not to be confused with New Mexico’s chiles, chili became the official state dish of Texas when the state legislature signed off in 1977 with a resolution stating, “in recognition of the fact that the only real ‘bowl of red’ is that prepared by Texans.” If you’re looking to try some incredible chili, the International Chili Cookoff has been held in Texas since 1967 and is still going strong today.
There isn’t a place in the country that loves Jell-O as much as Utah. Residents of the state consume twice as much Jell-O as the rest of the nation and also have a statewide Jell-O Week. It’s no wonder Jell-O has become the official state snack of Utah!
This may seem like the obvious choice, but maple is such a defining part of the state of Vermont that they decided to make it their official state flavor in 1993. Vermont produces 50 percent of the country’s maple syrup—including two million gallons in 2020.
New Jersey: Northern highbush blueberry
Blueberries are native to New Jersey and were the state’s gateway into the agricultural industry. Not to mention, the fruit is incredibly healthy due to its high amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. A fourth-grade class campaigned to the state government to successfully declare the blueberry the official state fruit.
The people of New Mexico claim their state is the chile capital of the world, as the peppers bring a sense of pride to residents—and even though chiles are technically fruits, they’re officially New Mexico’s state vegetable. Used in all kinds of dishes including enchiladas, tamales, burritos, and huevos rancheros, chile is a signature flavor you’ll find throughout New Mexico.
We all know New York City as the Big Apple, but the whole state is dedicated to the fruit. Apples were declared the state fruit in 1976, and New York is the second largest U.S. producer of apples after Washington State. With so many options, from Macoun and Cortland to Empire and Honey Crisp (my personal favorite), there’s an apple for everybody if you go apple picking in the Empire State.
7 Must Eat Spots in Indianapolis | Indiana’s Unique Foods
FAQ
What snack is Indiana known for?
What is a state food?
What is the state dish of Illinois?
What is Indiana’s State Food?
Out-of-state visitors might be hard-pressed distinguish Indiana’s cuisine from broader Midwestern fare, a situation not improved by the fact that the state has no official state food. Since Texas enshrined chili as its official state food in 1977, 33 states have named official dishes, snacks and beverages.
What foods are popular in Indiana?
One of the most famous Indiana foods is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. This hearty sandwich is made with a tender pork cutlet breaded and fried to perfection. It’s typically served on a soft bun with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Another iconic Indiana food is sugar cream pie.
What eats in Indiana?
When it comes to Indiana food, one thing stands out above all else: the people. Hoosiers are known for their friendly hospitality, and that extends to the food they serve. Whether visiting a local diner or a fancy restaurant, you can expect to get treated like family. One of the most famous Indiana foods is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich.
What makes Indiana so special?
These famous Indiana foods are part of what makes the state so special! If you’re from Indiana, then you know that our state is famous for a few things. There’s the Indianapolis 500, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and some of the best corn in the country. But when it comes to food, Indiana is known for a few signature dishes.