1

Cioppino

Image: James Wei

A not-so-talked-about product of the Italian influence in America, cioppino is an underrated representative from San Francisco. A tomato-based seafood stew (or a soup, depending on who you ask), it started as a struggle meal made with whatever was caught that day, and it is now a beloved dish that reflects the city’s history.

2

Fry bread

Image: Immo Wegmann

When thousands of Navajo people were forcefully displaced from Arizona to New Mexico, they were provided with meager rations for the 300-mile journey: flour, water, salt, and lard. From these scarce provisions, they created a fried dough, chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Originally eaten on its own, it is nowadays paired with all kinds of toppings.

3

Poi

Image: Daniel Dan

Made from steamed and mashed taro root, this Hawaiian dish can be enjoyed in several ways. Although sweeter when freshly made, it is often paired with other savory dishes. It can also be left to ferment, which gives it a more sour taste. Highly nutritious, poi has been a staple in Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisines for centuries.

4

Étouffée

Image: Stephanie Moody

Gumbo and jambalaya might be what first come to mind when thinking about Louisiana, but étouffée (meaning ‘smothered’) should not be overlooked. Thicker than gumbo —though sharing many of its ingredients—, étouffée delivers what its name promises: a rich, gravy-like, shellfish stew that smothers the accompanying rice. Depending on whether you are having a Creole or a Cajun étouffée, it may or may not contain tomatoes.

5

Crab cakes

Image: Girish Dalvi

This dish can be found all along the Atlantic coast, but its most famous iteration is associated with Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. With a history that goes back to Native Americans, modern crab cakes can be enjoyed sautéed, baked, grilled, deep-fried, or broiled, and are most of the time made with blue crab, though other crab meats can be used.

6

Clam chowder

Image: henry perks

A New England staple, this dish draws influence from British, French, and Nova Scotian traditions. Although it was not dairy-based in its origins, modern clam chowder gets its rich texture from milk or cream, and features butter, potatoes, pork, and, of course, clams. Other famous variations differ mainly in the soup base, such as the Manhattan clam chowder (made with tomato) or the Rhode Island clam chowder (made with a clear broth).

7

Hush puppies

Image: Abhijit Biswas

A Southern classic, these cornmeal fritters became popular during the Civil War because they were affordable and versatile. Usually made plain to serve as a side dish, they can also have cheese, jalapenos, whole corn grains, and other fillings added.

8

Marionberry pie

Image: Amanda Hortiz

Oregon's signature dessert, this pie filling features marionberries, a blackberry hybrid developed in the 20th century. Compared with regular blackberries, marionberries have a deeper, more complex flavor, resulting in a sweeter and sharper pie filling. A summer staple, it is often served alongside vanilla ice cream.

9

Runza

Image: Kelsey Todd

Food from the Midwest is sometimes reduced to casserole dishes and jello salads, but it is more varied than some might think. Runza, a sandwich-hot pocket hybrid filled with beef, cabbage, and onions, is an example of how midwesterners transformed immigrant food traditions into something new. Originating in Nebraska, runzas are derived from German and Eastern European pirogs , a baked, filled dough.

10

Akutaq

Image: Adam Chang

Though this Alaskan delicacy is technically an ice cream, don’t expect it to be like the ice creams you are used to. Made from reindeer fat, seal oil, fresh snow, berries, and sometimes, ground fish, akutaq is a dessert, a snack, a spread, and a main dish all in one. Developed as a way to preserve fruits and animal fats, this nutrient-dense dish has everything you need to face the harsh Alaskan winters.

1

Memphis

Image: Brian Wegman 🎃

We say Memphis, you probably think of Graceland and Elvis, right? But in Memphis, barbecue is big too. Famous for its pork dishes, Memphis-style BBQ revolves around slow-cooked shoulders, butts, and ribs, often served with a smoky tomato-based sauce or simply seasoned with a dry rub. Pulled pork sandwiches are a staple here, typically paired with tangy coleslaw.

Be warned, if you visit, don’t expect to pry the secret recipes for their rubs or sauces—those are guarded more tightly than gold.

2

Kansas City

Image: Ahmad

Kansas City barbecue is synonymous with variety. This region smokes everything from ribs and brisket to sausages and burnt ends. The hallmark of Kansas City-style BBQ is its sweet, thick sauce made with tomatoes, molasses, and brown sugar.

This style owes much of its legacy to Henry Perry, the "Father of Kansas City Barbecue" whose techniques were passed down to pitmasters like Arthur Bryant and Ollie Gates. Today, Kansas City’s barbecue joints remain legendary destinations.

3

North Carolina

Image: Leo_Visions

In North Carolina, barbecue loyalty is divided . The Eastern Style involves whole-pig barbecue smoked over wood coals and basted with a peppery vinegar sauce. Purists argue this method lets the meat’s natural flavors shine.

The Western Style (a.k.a. Lexington) is focused on pork shoulder, this style features a ketchup-based sauce that’s sweeter than its eastern counterpart. The addition of tomatoes reflects influences from Bavarian settlers in the area.

4

Texas

Image: Israel Albornoz

Texas takes it a step further and we can find multiple styles . At least, three!

On the one hand, Central Texas goes for a simple and straightforward beef brisket seasoned with salt and pepper, then smoked low and slow.

East Texas style features tender beef and pork, cooked until falling off the bone and often served in sandwiches with a thick, sweet sauce.

Now, as for South Texas, meats like cow’s head or goat are slowly smoked in underground pits and served with salsa and guacamole.

5

Alabama

Image: Ruthra Malai

Alabama’s claim to barbecue fame is its unique white sauce, made from mayonnaise, vinegar, and pepper. This creamy, tangy sauce is typically slathered on smoked chicken or ribs, offering a refreshing departure from traditional tomato-based options.

Cities like Birmingham have emerged as culinary destinations, they blend barbecue with Southern hospitality. Who wouldn’t want to try that out?

6

Georgia

Image: Ajeet Panesar

In Georgia, a barbecue is a social event as much as a culinary delight. Pork is the star, often accompanied by smoky brisket, sausages, and chicken. Georgia’s barbecue leans heavily on bold, smoky flavors and can be found in roadside shacks and upscale eateries alike. Each bite reflects the state’s rich culinary heritage.

7

Hawaii

Image: Z Grills Australia

Hawaii has stunning views, dreamy beaches, and delicious dishes too! Hawaiian barbecue is a celebration of its diverse cultural influences. And a result of its diverse climate too.

Kalua pork, cooked in underground ovens , is a staple at traditional luaus, while local BBQ plates often feature Korean-style ribs, Huli Huli chicken, or barbecued seafood. These dishes are served with rice and macaroni salad, a unique island twist to American barbecue.

8

Kentucky

Image: Sergio Arteaga

Kentucky’s barbecue scene is defined by its love of mutton , which is smoked over hickory wood and served with a peppery vinegar dip.

This lesser-known style also includes pork and turkey, which ultimately reflects the state’s agricultural diversity. The city of Owensboro is the epicenter of mutton barbecue. They host annual festivals dedicated to the dish. Even if you’re not big on BBQ, this annual event is worth visiting!

9

Virginia

Image: Carlitos Grill

Some argue that barbecue’s American roots trace back to Virginia, where Native American techniques and African influences merged.

Whether that’s the case or not, Virginia’s regional variations are great. They include sweet tomato-based sauces , tangy vinegar blends, and even sauces with hints of peanut butter. Each micro-region brings its spin, but they all uphold the state’s rich barbecue heritage.

10

South Carolina

Image: Davide Cantelli

South Carolina’s barbecue stands out with its signature mustard-base sauce, known as "Carolina Gold." Influenced by the state’s German settlers, this tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the region’s whole hog cooking.

South Carolina also offers other sauces, including vinegar-based and tomato-based varieties. In this state, you can’t really say there’s not a thing for every taste bud!

1

Accident, Maryland

Image: Chiara Guercio

We’ll begin this article by quoting the great Bob Ross: "We don’t make mistakes; we make happy accidents". In that sense, a certain small town located in Garrett County, Maryland, is a living testament to the wonderful nature of accidents: Certainly, the town of Accident could use this Bob Ross quote as a town motto.

Nobody really knows where this unusual name comes from, but a popular theory states that when two men were conducting separate surveys in the area, one of them claimed land owned by the other "by accident". While we might never be sure if this story is true or not, people from Accident (or, as they like to be called, "Accidentals") definitively take pride in their weirdly named town.

2

Boring, Oregon

Image: charlesdeluvio

At first glance, the town of Boring, Oregon, seems to encapsulate the slow living of many American towns. While many disgruntled teenagers might call this peaceful lifestyle boring, we choose to consider it "peaceful". In any case, the name of this unincorporated community comes from a rather flashy geographical feature: a lava field.

If this unusual name makes you feel sorry about this town, don’t be: It has found a rather extraordinary group of sister cities. Boring, Oregon, is a proud member of a group known as "Trinity of Tedium", which includes the village of Dull, Scotland, as well as Bland, Australia.

3

Cucumber, West Virginia

Image: Harshal S. Hirve

The cucumber is definitively the star of many delicious salads. This versatile vegetable provides a fresh and unique taste to any dish. You would think that all the 74 residents of Cucumber, West Virginia, are big fans of this green delicacy, but in fact, the naming of this town seems to be in reference to entirely different reasons.

This mining-centered community was named after either Cucumber Creek, which is in the town’s proximity, or after the abundant cucumber trees in the area (which sadly don’t produce the green vegetables we know and love).

4

Mexican Hat, Utah

Image: Melanie Rosillo Galvan

With a population of only 31, the town of Mexican Hat in Utah is named after a peculiarly shaped landmark. A strange rock overlooks the northeast side of town, shaped just like an upside-down sombrero . This rock has 2 different climbing routes that ascend it, in case you want to take a trip and see this hat-shaped landmark in all its magnificence.

Mexican Hat was founded in 1908 by E.L. Goodridge, a man seeking oil in the area. While his efforts were unsuccessful, this settlement would eventually result in one of the most oddly named towns in America.

5

Chicken, Alaska

Image: Stephen Mierendorf

There’s no denying that America loves chicken: After all, we are the country that consumes the most chicken in the world. In that sense, it stands to reason that one of our many towns chose to celebrate our favorite domesticated bird. However, the history behind the naming of Chicken, Alaska, actually tells a different story.

This town was settled in the 19th century by gold miners rushing to Alaska during this state’s gold rush. When, in 1902, the site established a post office, it required a community name, and the settlers decided to name the newly-formed town after a type of game bird called ptarmigan. However, since no one was able to spell "ptarmigan" correctly, they ultimately settled on the much more spellable "Chicken".

6

Hot Coffee, Mississippi

Image: Alex Padurariu

Don’t you agree that thanking coffee for everything it does for us should be enough reason for this homage? The small community of Hot Coffee, Mississippi, pays a warm tribute to that miraculous drink that helps millions start their day right.

The community was established in the 19th century, located at the crossroads between two major travel routes. Logically, an inn was built to house weary travelers. A local man called L.J. Davis built a store and hung a sign designed to attract out-of-town customers that simply read: "the best hot coffee around". Davis’ store became a local landmark, and his excellent coffee soon became such a staple that it would eventually become the town’s name.

7

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Image: Photography Maghradze PH

On a certain day in March 1950, the city of Hot Springs, New Mexico, heard a weird yet exciting pitch on the radio: Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular NBC show "Truth or Consequences" , announced that he would broadcast a 10-year anniversary show from the first American town that chose to rename itself after the show.

By the end of that month, Hot Springs had collectively chosen to change its name, renaming itself "Truth or Consequence". Edwards not only held his end of the bargain, broadcasting the special show from the town, but also remained a lifelong friend of this city. He visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years, in an event that turned into a local Fiesta still celebrated today.

8

Nothing, Arizona

Image: Marta Nogueira

We get it: Naming a town must be difficult. Having said that, we think the founders of this now-abandoned town probably just winged it. Nothing, Arizona, was founded in the late 70s as an extremely small settlement: At its height, it had a population of 4.

While small and only comprising a small convenience store and a gas station, Nothing quickly became a popular tourist attraction. The town sign famously included the following phrase: "Thru-the-years-these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing."

9

No Name, Colorado

Image: Valentin Antonucci

Apparently, the name "placeholder" was already taken when it came time to name this small Colorado town. Located in Garfield County, No Name has a population of 117. Contrary to popular belief, this town’s name is not a result of a lack of creativity but rather a reference to the No Name Creek and the No Name Canyon, which are nearby. And in fact, both the town and these landmarks pay homage to an event in Colorado’s history.

In 1869, John Wesley Powell set out on an expedition to map out the Colorado River. Powell’s expedition included several boats, which featured names like "Emma Dean" and "Maid of the Canyon". Among them was the "No-Name", a boat that proved that even the most inconspicuous names can leave a huge mark.

10

Friendship, Maine

Image: Duy Pham

What’s life without friends? If there’s someone that can attest to that it’s the residents of Friendship, Maine . After all, they decided to name their town after one of the most important things in life.

You might be familiar with Friendship from the many examples of popular culture that feature this town. For instance, the 1995 film "Casper" takes place entirely in Friendship (which seems only fitting, since Casper is known as "the friendly ghost"). Also, many American authors have written about the town in their stories. Most notably, the short story "The Run of Yourself" by Richard Ford is set in Friendship.