11 Tried-And-True Regional Food Classics In The United States


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Traditions

11 Tried-And-True Regional Food Classics In The United States
 By Andy Beth Miller Aug. 27, 2025 10:40 am EST

From the sizzling bite of a juicy lucy in Minneapolis to the sweet nostalgia of Maine whoopie pies, regional American food is about far more than just physical sustenance. It's identity on a plate. All across the United States, generations have perfected dishes that speak to the local soil, the immigrant influence, and sometimes, pure necessity. These aren't fleeting Instagram fads, but the kind of eats you'll still find in mom-and-pop diners, at church fundraisers, and served in hole-in-the-wall cozy cafes that haven't changed their menu in decades.

In the South, peanuts are slow-boiled until creamy and briny, a snack that feels like summer in a pa