One of the joys of traveling through the United States is discovering the diversity of food that is available. Regions, states, and cities have their own specialty fare, ingredients, and must-visit restaurants and markets. Even those travelers who don't consider themselves gourmands may be inclined to plan an itinerary around a favorite food item, such as Chicago pizza or Memphis BBQ; or around a culinary landmark, like a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The following is a list of some of the must-eat foods and must-visit restaurants, markets, and snack shacks across the USA. The items in this list are in no particular order.
Fish in Seattle
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Watch the flying fish at Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. Visit Rachel the Piggybank while shopping in the fish market, collectible shops, and specialty food vendors. Originally established in 1907, the Fish Market has gained an expansion called the MarketFront.
Tabasco in Louisiana
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You can take a tour of the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island in Louisiana, but if you're just passing by, you can read what it's like to work as a Tabasco taste tester.
Michelin-Starred Resturants
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Michelin-Starred restaurants are considered the pinnacle of dining (though there has been some blowback on that). Nevertheless, many foodies may aim to dine in at least one — if not all — of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the USA.
BBQs
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BBQ is made differently in each nook and cranny of the country. You can sample each one of the USA's many different styles of BBQ, from Memphis-style to Kansas City to Texas barbecue brisket.
Spicy New Orleans
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Indulge in the spicy flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine in New Orleans. Trying their gumbo is a must and you can't leave without trying the pralines.
Cuban Food in Little Havana
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Enjoy authentic Cuban eats in Miami's Little Havana. Indulge your palate with their arroz con gris, while indulging your eyes and ears with the culture and the language.
Jewish Delis in New York City
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Go on a crawl of Jewish Delis in New York City. Some of the renowned Jewish Delis in New York City include Katz's and Carnegie Deli.
New York Bagels
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Eating an authentic New York bagel is a must. Try one from one of the delis listed as the best places for New York City bagels.
Ethnic Neighborhoods
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Some of the best food in the entire nation is cooked in various cities' ethnic neighborhoods. Some areas worth exploring for their culinary contributions include San Francisco's Chinatown and Saint Louis's Italian-American neighborhood The Hill, which is particularly known for its fried ravioli.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
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Bourbon whiskey is particular to the United States, and the best place to experience it is along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. You can pick up a "passport" which will get stamped at every distillery and once completed, you'll receive a t-shirt for your journey.
Wine Country
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Everyone should visit California wine country, which includes regions north of San Francisco such as Napa and Sonoma, as well as the Central Coast such as Paso Robles.
Seafood Along the Coasts
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With thousands of miles of coastline on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Gulf of Mexico, the United States can boast many seafood traditions. Two of them worth adding to a bucket list are dining on lobster in Maine and blue crabs in Maryland.
Pizza Corners
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Pizza is Italian in origin, but it has its own traditions in the United States. Both New York pizza and Chicago pizza deserve to be on the bucket list.
Burger Joints
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Try one, if not all, of the best burgers in the USA.
Old Eating
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Dine at one or all of America's oldest restaurants. They include the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island; Union Oyster House in Boston; and Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans.
Lowcountry Cuisine
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Visit coastal Georgia and South Carolina to try Lowcountry Cuisine.
Green Chiles in New Mexico
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Spice up your trip taste buds with some New Mexico green chiles. Check out the best restaurants for green chile dishes in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Tex-Mex in Texas
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Try the Tex-Mex cuisine in Texas. Texas Monthly, the authority on all things Lone Star State, has published the 50 Best Mexican Restaurants in Texas.
Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia
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Have a Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Will you go to Pat's or Geno's, the best-known cheesesteak sellers in the city, or another vendor?
Good Eats in Hawaii
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If you're willing to cross the ocean to our furthest state, you have to go to a luau in Hawaii. What's not to love about the warm weather, the salty air, and Hawaiian cuisine?