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The 18 best local dishes to eat in America

, Jul. 6, 2017, 1:43 PM, http://www.thisisinsider.com/b...-foods-to-eat-2017-6

American food is so much more than BBQ (though a little brisket never hurts).Scott Madore/Unsplash

The INSIDER Summary:

  • The US is vast, and features many local delicacies that vary by region.
  • A recent Quora thread reveals which local foods are must-eats.
  • Soft shell crab from Maryland is a must.
  • When in Florida, try a Cuban sandwich.


The United States is not only a melting pot of cultures, it's also a melting pot of flavors.

Different regions are famous for different specialties, such as New York pizza, Philly cheese steaks, and Southern barbecue. But which ones are best?

A recent Quora thread asked "What are the top US regional foods to taste before you die?" — here are the 18 best answers.

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Soft shell crab in Maryland

Soft shell crab in Maryland
Maryland crab cakes.
Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock

In part due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is known for all things crab. From crab cakes to fried crabs, locals won't let you leave without trying at least one dish.

Quora user Stephanie Vardavas raved about the fried soft shell crab sandwich as one of the best crab dishes around, even if eating a whole crab can be a bit intimidating.

"It does take a little getting used to, because the idea of an entire deep-fried small animal on a bun is weird. But it's totally worth it," she said.

FM

Pokē in Hawaii

Pokē in Hawaii
Fresh pokē bowl.
Shutterstock / Magdanatka

Pokē, a traditionally Hawaiian dish, has been popping up in restaurants all over the US recently, and user Garrick Saito helped explain the food phenomenon.

"[Pokē] is conceptually very similar to the sashimi you might have at a sushi bar (they both have the raw fish and soy sauce in common), but pokē also contains other goodies such as green onions, chili pepper flakes, sesame oil, Hawaiian seaweed (called ogo ), and sometimes a little garlic," he said.

FM

Street tacos in California and the Southwest

From Southern California to Arizona and Texas, local eateries are known for serving up delicious street food, especially tacos.

"Any Southwest Or West Coast native knows about street tacos, and they are such a part of everyday eating that you might have thought to not even mention them. Once you have had these you will never visit that horrible Bell place that shall not be named ever again," user Joshua Engel said.

"Deep fried or grilled fish, crema Mexicana, salsa fresca all compiled to delicious perfection on a tortilla. One taste, and you'll never think of tacos the same again!" Ti Zhao agreed.

FM

Country ham in the South

Country ham in the South
Sliced ham.
T.Tseng / Flickr

A local favorite in states such as Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, country ham is a Southern delicacy. "This is not your spongy, rubbery salt and syrup injected monstrosity you might buy at the supermarket. A country ham is salted, cured, smoked and then dry aged to perfection in a cool, dark, and dry place," user Ariel Williams said.

FM

White clam pizza in New Haven, Connecticut

White clam pizza in New Haven, Connecticut
Frank Pepe's famous pizza.
Flickr/Krista

Clams and pizza — it may sound like a strange combination, but people from all over the country visit Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, just for their signature white clam pizza.

"Ahh, the beautiful union of olive oil, oregano, scamorza cheese, garlic, little neck clams, and the greatest pizza crust known to man. [Frank Pepe's is] the pizza that Frank Sinatra and Ronald Reagan used to visit New Haven for," user Christopher VanLang said.

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