One day my friends and I were talking about different food items. I started talking about Fry Sauce, and some of my friends, who weren't from Utah, had never heard of it and didn't know what it was. This got me thinking and I began to wonder if there are certain foods that are only known in specific parts of the United States. So I asked around and I did some research and I found a list of signature dishes and popular foods items for each state. The list has some surprising and interesting food items. Please note this list is a compilation of two different lists. Some states may have other well known foods! Also note, multiple dishes for each state doesn't mean eat them together. You could but you'd have some strange dish combinations.

• Alabama:
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • White Barbecue Sauce
• Alaska:Salmon of any sort, but particularly
  • Salmon Candy
  • Smoked Salmon
• Arizona:
  • Pork Chimichangas
  • Prickly Pears
• Arkansas:
  • Southern Fried Catfish
  • Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
• California:
  • Fish Tacos
  • Avocado
• Colorado:
  • Chile Verde
  • Denver Omelet
• Connecticut:
  • New Haven-Style White Clam Pizza
  • Clam Chowder
• Delaware:
  • Vinegar French Fries
  • Crab Dip
• Florida: Key Lime Pie
• Georgia:
  • Georgia Peach Pie
  • Fried Chicken and Waffles
• Hawaii:
  • Ahi Poke
  • Kalua Pork and Fried Rice
• Idaho:
  • Finger Steaks
  • any sort of Potato
• Illinois:
  • Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
  • Horseshoe Sandwiches
• Indiana:
  • Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier pie)
• Iowa:
  • Grilled Sweet Corn on the Cob
  • Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
• Kansas:
  • Kansas City-Style Ribs
  • Sunflower Seeds and Oil
• Kentucky:
  • Kentucky Hot Browns
  • Country Fried Steak
• Louisiana: Gumbo made anyway but particularly Shrimp Gumbo
• Maine: Lobster Rolls
• Maryland:
  • Old Bay Steamed Blue Crabs
  • Crab Cakes
• Massachusetts:
  • Clam Chowder
  • Cranberries
• Michigan:
  • Michigan Pasty
  • Cherries
• Minnesota:
  • Hotdish
  • Wild Blueberries
• Mississippi: Mississippi Mud Pie
• Missouri:
  • Fried/Toasted Ravioli
  • Cashew Chicken
• Montana:
  • Huckleberry Pie
  • Buffalo Burgers
• Nebraska:
  • Handheld Meat Pies
  • Corn
• Nevada:
  • Las Vegas All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet
  • Basque Cuisine
• New Hampshire:
  • New England Boiled Dinner
  • Pumpkin
• New Jersey:
  • Pork Roll Sandwich with Egg and Cheese
  • Salt Water Taffy
• New Mexico:
  • Green Chile Cheeseburger
  • Chile Sauce
• New York:
  • Buffalo Wings
  • Bagels
• North Carolina:
  • Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich
  • Country Ham
• North Dakota:
  • Lefse Potato Crepes
  • Knoephla Soup
• Ohio:
  • Buckeyes
  • Cincinnati Chili
• Oklahoma:
  • Crispy Cornmeal Okra
  • Chicken and Corn Pudding
• Oregon:
  • Marion berry Pie
  • Tillamook Cheese
• Pennsylvania:
  • Philly Cheese Steak
  • Hoagies
• Rhode Island:
  • Frozen Lemonade
  • Johnny Cakes
• South Carolina: Shrimp and Grits
• South Dakota:
  • Chislic
  • Kuchen
• Tennessee:
  • Memphis Dry-Rub Ribs
  • Stack Cakes
• Texas:
  • Texas Brisket
  • Texas BBQ
• Utah:
  • Funeral Potatoes
  • Pastrami Burger
  • Fry Sauce
• Vermont:
  • Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie
  • Maple Syrup
• Virginia:
  • Virginia Ham Biscuits
  • Virginia Ham
• Washington:
  • Cedar-Planked Salmon
  • Apples
• West Virginia:
  • Pepperoni Rolls
  • Ramps
• Wisconsin: Bratwurst Stewed with Sauerkraut
• Wyoming:
  • Chicken Fried Steak
  • Wild Game
• Washington D.C.: Chili Half-Smokes

Did any of these dishes catch your eye? Some caught mine. If you'd like the recipes visit the sources below and there they are! I can't wait to cook my way through the 50 states. This is a just a small list of well known foods. If you think your state is missing anything leave a comment and tell us what the must have dish of your state is!