States have flowers and mottos, what about food? What would you identify as your state dish if it were up to you?

Saltwater taffy and frozen custard are big boardwalk foods.

I guess one food New Jersey is known for and there is controversy about is pork roll. The controversy is that it is called Taylor ham in North Jersey and pork roll in South Jersey. I think it’s sort of like spam but I’ve actually never eaten it. People usually eat it on a sandwich with fried eggs which is probably why I’ve never had it.

Other big regional foods are pizza, submarine sandwiches (which are sometimes called hoagies) and seafood of all kinds.

Bar B Que I’d suppose. Cant beat it with a stick. I’d put The Pit or Smokey Moe’s in Austin up against any from any state. Or even any place else in Texas.

Soljanka, probably.

For my region of Germany, it’s “Currywurst” – a fried sausage in spicy sauce. Since I don’t eat sausage or spicy sauce, I don’t get to enjoy it. I do love fried potatoes, which are also pretty German.

For the whole of Germany, though, I would nominate the Döner.

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for Virginia to claim the Turducken, but I could easily see a Virginian coming up with that abomination.

I will second the (vegetarian) Döner. Since 100% of German Flutherers agree, that’s settled now.

Massachusetts food has traditionally been bland. Real bland and boring. Growing up, pizza was exotic, and Mexican food was non-existent. I grew up on bland chicken and over-boiled carrots and green beans.

While that is changing somewhat, I’d say that when I think of the Massachusetts food, it would be one of the following:

- A lahge Dunkin’ Donuts’ coffee – regulah (cream and sugah), and a couple ‘a donuts.
– A peanut butter and fluff sandwich?
– Fried seafood and french fries

I spent the majority of my childhood in Rhode Island, which has these restaurants that serve Italian family-style dinners. Here’s how it works:

First they bring out soup. A chicken soup or wedding soup. A big pot of it is put at the center of the table.

Then they bring out pasta with tomato sauce. Sounds basic, but I would honestly dream about this pasta it was so good.

Finally, the main course. Chicken, pork, potatoes, vegetables, salad, lots of food to fill you up if you aren’t full already haha.

The best part about these dinners is that everything is all-you-can-eat. If you run out of anything they’ll bring more of it in an instant. If you’re on the main course and want more soup, they’ll bring you more soup.

There’s also the pizza strips. So simple but so good. Chunky sauce, oily bread. You buy them at bakeries and they put them in a box with parchment paper. Any time I’ve bought these outside RI they’ve been some knock-off version.

Gregg’s, another RI classic restaurant, has a Death By Chocolate Cake that’s to die for (cue rimshot).

Lobster rolls.

North Carolina is the number one state in sweet potato production, growing nearly half of the country’s sweet potatoes.

Eastern North Carolina it is Whole Hog BBQ for pig pickin’ !

@Tropical_Willie Vinegar-based BBQ—Nothing better!

@canidmajor I knew there had to be a reason for your state besides making it harder to get from NJ to Massachusetts!

For California, either burritos, or fish tacos.

Have to agree that East Carolina BBQ is the best! Sorry Texas. Maybe Texas should be chili or steak. I had the best steak of my like in Texas years ago. From what I understand chili was invented in Texas.

@dxs The family style Italian sounds great. I’ve been to a few family style in NY.

@gorillapaws Turducken of all things. LOL. I actually can’t think of anything specific to VA either. All I remember is VA is for Lovers.

@JLeslie and @gorillapaws Virginia would be Peanuts there is a large size peanuts called Virginia and for meat Smithfield country hams.

The James River, where it meets the ocean, is known for Oysters.

@Tropical_Willie I think of GA peanuts, because of Jimmy Carter. I need to google this new peanut information you have bestowed upon me. Yes, of course Virginia ham and oysters. Both are well known.

@Tropical_Willie Good points. I wasn’t really thinking about the Chesapeake. We have soft-shell crabs, oysters and rockfish. Rockfish is amazing, I’m changing my answer.

Honey. Utah is the beehive state.

In Memphis, it would be Chitterlings and Limburger Cheese casserole

@Yellowdog Gus’s fried chicken! :). My favorite fried chicken of all time. I guess that is really a Mason delicacy, but I associate it with Memphis.

Georgia peaches.

Florida oranges and grapefruit.

California dates (best shake ever is a date shake).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_foods

California? A Dragon Roll. It is sushi made with Shrimp, Avocado, and Cucumber.

In Idaho, it’s the humble potato. Would you care for butter and sour cream with that??

Oeil filet de boeuf et trois légumes.

In Oh!regon we eat PokPok Vietnamese chicken wings, smothered in magic mushroom sauce.

Are you steeped in infusion as a consequence?

@doyendroll – You are what you eat ; )

I’d never considered you a fun guy, although they do need the sky to fall.

@doyendroll – Not a guy hunny.

And the sky’s where it always is.

Sun flower seeds.

New Mexico – - Hatch Chile

Wisconsin – - Milk and cheese

South Carolina – - Low Country Boil

I’ve lived in a lot of states.

Florida – I’ll agree with the jelly above that Florida is oranges and other citrus. We have a huge strawberry production too.

Maryland – known for its crabs.

North Carolina – I’m all on board with East Carolina BBQ as I said above.

Tennessee – Gus’s fried chicken, although I think most people would say BBQ.

New York – Hard to pick. New York has everything. Mostly, I associate NY with Italian food. Pizza, eggplant parmesan, great bread. Crops I think of apples.

@JLeslie Don’t forget bagels. NY has legendary bagels!

Oh Gosh, I think Bagels should be it! I listed bread, but Bagels is in a class by itself. No better city than NY for bagels.