Food is a funny thing. What one person considers a culinary masterpiece, another might find utterly revolting.
That’s the beauty (and sometimes the horror) of regional cuisine! We’ve compiled a list of 50 recipes, one from each state, guaranteed to spark debate and maybe even a little bit of controversy. Prepare for some delightfully divisive dishes!
Get ready to unleash your inner food critic, because these aren’t your grandma’s apple pies. Some are bizarre, some are downright weird, and some are just plain polarizing. But one thing’s for sure: they’re all undeniably interesting.
Alabama – Lane Cake Recipe
This decadent, layered cake is known for its bourbon-soaked layers and rich cream cheese frosting. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny its intense flavor.
Alaska – Akutaq Recipe
This traditional Eskimo dessert is made with berries, fat (often seal or whale blubber), and snow. A unique taste that’s not for everyone!
Arizona – Sonoran Hot Dog Recipe
This isn’t your average hot dog. The Sonoran hot dog is wrapped in bacon, topped with onions, tomatoes, mustard, mayonnaise, and a variety of other ingredients. A messy, flavorful explosion!
Arkansas – Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits Recipe
Sweet and savory collide in this unusual combination. Chocolate gravy poured over fluffy biscuits – it’s a Southern staple that’s either a guilty pleasure or a culinary crime, depending on who you ask.
California – It’s It Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
A classic California treat, the It’s It is a simple ice cream sandwich, but its ubiquity and nostalgic appeal are enough to start arguments about the “best” flavor.
Colorado – Rocky Mountain Oysters Recipe
These aren’t oysters at all! They’re deep-fried bull testicles. A bold choice that’s sure to elicit strong reactions.
Connecticut – Steamed Cheeseburger Recipe
Steaming a cheeseburger? It sounds odd, but the result is a juicy, flavorful burger with a unique texture. A Connecticut classic that some find surprisingly delicious.
Delaware – Scrapple Recipe
A mush of pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, scrapple is a Delaware staple with a distinctive taste and texture that’s either loved or loathed.
Florida – Gator Tail Recipe
Florida’s gator tail is a surprisingly versatile meat, often fried or grilled. It’s a unique culinary experience for the adventurous eater.
Georgia – Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise Sandwich Recipe
This controversial combo is a Southern staple, surprisingly tasty to some, and absolutely repulsive to others.
Hawaii – Spam Musubi Recipe
A Hawaiian classic, Spam Musubi is grilled Spam on rice, wrapped in nori. Simple, yet divisive.
Idaho – Finger Steaks Recipe
Thinly sliced beef, breaded and deep-fried. Comfort food for some, greasy disappointment for others.
Illinois – Horseshoe Sandwich Recipe
A messy masterpiece of Texas toast, fries, meat, and cheese. It’s the ultimate indulgence, but some find it simply too much.
Indiana – Brain Sandwich Recipe
Deep-fried brains between slices of bread. This one’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Iowa – Loose Meat Sandwich Recipe
Loose, crumbly ground beef on a bun. Simple, but the texture and lack of discernible patties divide opinions.
Kansas – Cinnamon Rolls and Chili Recipe
Sweet and spicy? This surprising combination is surprisingly popular, but definitely a point of contention.
Kentucky – Beer Cheese Recipe
A creamy, cheesy dip infused with beer. It’s a beloved Kentucky staple, but its unique flavor profile isn’t for everyone.
Louisiana – Nutria Rat Sauce Piquante Recipe
Nutria, an invasive rodent, gets a culinary twist in this spicy sauce. This one is definitely on the extreme end of controversial.
Maine – Red Snappers Hot Dog Recipe
A classic Maine hot dog, featuring a bright red skin. The color alone can be a sticking point.
Maryland – Stuffed Ham Recipe
A large ham stuffed with various savory ingredients. It’s a holiday staple for some, but the sheer size and preparation can be off-putting.
Massachusetts – Fluffernutter Recipe
Marshmallow fluff and peanut butter on bread. Simple, yet passionately loved or hated.
Michigan – Pasty Recipe
A savory hand pie filled with meat and vegetables. A delicious comfort food to some, a bit bland to others.
Minnesota – Lutefisk Recipe
Dried cod that’s been rehydrated in lye. Its strong smell and gelatinous texture are notorious.
Mississippi – Koolickles Recipe
Sweet and sour pickle slices. It’s a unique flavor combination that might not appeal to everyone.
Missouri – St. Louis Style Pizza Recipe
Thin crust, provel cheese. The cheese is a major point of debate among pizza lovers.
Montana – Fried Lamb Fries Recipe
Deep-fried lamb testicles. Similar to Rocky Mountain Oysters, but with a lamb twist.
Nebraska – Runza Recipe
A German-American bread pocket filled with seasoned beef and cabbage. The texture and flavors are uniquely Nebraska.
Nevada – Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
A classic appetizer, but the overabundance in some casinos can be a bit much.
New Hampshire – Grape-Nuts Pudding Recipe
A unique pudding made with Grape-Nuts cereal. The texture is the main point of contention.
New Jersey – Pork Roll Sandwich Recipe
A New Jersey staple, this sandwich features a processed pork product that divides opinions.
New Mexico – Green Chile Sundae Recipe
A sweet and spicy sundae featuring green chiles. A surprisingly popular but unusual combination.
New York – Garbage Plate Recipe
A massive plate of assorted food items. The sheer quantity and variety can be a bit overwhelming for some.
North Carolina – Livermush Recipe
A pork liver spread that’s either a regional delicacy or a culinary horror.
North Dakota – Lutefisk Lefse Recipe
Lutefisk, but incorporated into lefse, a potato flatbread. The combination of flavors and textures is a truly controversial dish.
Ohio – Goetta Recipe
A type of sausage made with oats and pork. Its unique texture and flavor are a point of contention.
Oklahoma – Lamb Fries Recipe
Another rendition of the controversial lamb testicles, fried to crispy perfection.
Oregon – Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Bar Recipe
A sweet and savory treat that’s either indulgent or overly decadent.
Pennsylvania – Scrapple Recipe
Another appearance for this divisive dish. Pennsylvania’s version is just as likely to incite debate.
Rhode Island – Coffee Cabinets Recipe
A coffee-flavored cake with a unique texture. The coffee flavor might be too strong for some.
South Carolina – Frogmore Stew Recipe
A Lowcountry boil, but the shrimp and sausage combination sparks controversy among seafood purists.
South Dakota – Chislic Recipe
Cubed meat marinated and deep-fried. The simplicity might be its greatest fault to some.
Tennessee – Moon Pie Banana Pudding Recipe
A Southern classic, but the combination of sweet and sweet might be too much for some palates.
Texas – Deep Fried Butter Recipe
A heart attack on a plate. Need we say more?
Utah – Funeral Potatoes Recipe
A cheesy potato casserole, often served at funerals. It’s comfort food, but might not be the most appropriate dish for a funeral to some.
Vermont – Maple Creemee Recipe
Soft serve ice cream with maple syrup. Simple, but the sweetness might be too much.
Virginia – Peanut Soup Recipe
A savory peanut soup that’s a Southern classic, but the unusual ingredient makes it controversial.
Washington – Geoduck Sashimi Recipe
Raw geoduck clam. Its unusual appearance and texture might be off-putting to many.
West Virginia – Pepperoni Roll Recipe
A simple pepperoni roll, but the dough-to-pepperoni ratio is a constant point of debate.
Wisconsin – Butter Burger Recipe
A burger slathered in butter. The extra fat is what many people will argue against.
Wyoming – Chuckwagon Breakfast Recipe
Hearty breakfast food, but the richness and heaviness aren’t for everyone.