1

Arizona

Image: Amber BC

There’s a blend that can please almost any palate: the fusion of American comfort food and bold Mexican flavors. If you like this combination, you've probably already tried Arizona's delicious Sonoran hot dogs.

Tucson and Phoenix are the two most recommended cities to try this tasty street food. Here's a description that will make your mouth water: a Sonoran hot dog is a sausage wrapped in bacon, served in a soft, slightly sweet bolillo roll, which is a Mexican-style bread.

And if that wasn't enough, the toppings are equally incredible. You can choose from iconic guacamole, spicy jalapeños, creamy pinto beans, hot sauce, and more!

2

New Mexico

Image: Alyson McPhee

If you're looking for unique and original flavors, we recommend making New Mexico your next destination.

It turns out that the Land of Enchantment is the home state of one of the most beloved dishes in terms of taste: green chile stew. What makes this hearty, comforting dish specialis right there in its name— New Mexico's green chile . This type of chile is less bitter than other varieties and has a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Chile is so deeply ingrained in New Mexico culture that the state has an official question related to it: "Red or green?"

3

Texas

Image: Luis Santoyo

If barbecue is your thing, this recipe is gonna be one of your favorites on this list. Be warned: you’ll want to head straight to Texas to try it.

The star dish in the Lone Star State is brisket. You've probably heard of it! Brisket is a cut of meat from the cow's lower chest, which is traditionally smoked low and slow until it becomes tender.

But wait—it’s not a dish for when you're in a hurry: Texas Brisket cooks for no less than 12 to 16 hours!

4

Hawaii

Image: Luke McKeown

Whether it’s music, dance, sports, or food, Hawaii has a lot to offer. One of its most recommended dishes is Huli Huli Chicken.

What makes this chicken dish so special? Let’s take a look. First, the chicken is marinated in a mix of soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger (our mouths are watering just talking about it!). Then, it's cooked over a wood fire, which gives it that special smoky touch. During cooking, the chicken must be turned several times—a technique that gives the dish its name: "Huli" means "turn" in Hawaiian. This method creates pieces perfectly caramelized on the outside but tender on the inside. An authentic delicacy!

5

Alaska

Image: Mandy Bourke

We promise you one thing: you won't regret trying Alaskan smoked salmon! Whether you're planning a trip to the Last Frontier or you're simply a seafood fan, this flavor is for you.

Alaska is famous for its spectacular landscapes, beautiful lakes, vast distances, and, of course, a characteristic flavor: salmon. While many fish and seafood are popular in this northern state, salmon is among the most recommended by those who understand good food. It’s often said that its exceptional taste may be due, in part, to the cold temperature of the water in which this fish thrives.

6

South Dakota

Image: Todd Quackenbush

A dish doesn't have to be complex to be flavorful, and South Dakota's chislic is proof of that.

Chislic typically features cubed lamb, mutton, or beef that's seasoned and either fried or roasted. Its simplicity and versatility make it a dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions.

The meat cubes are served hot, often accompanied by delicacies such as hot sauce or ranch dressing on the side. Have you tried this recipe?

7

Massachusetts

Image: Dylan Ferreira

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll have no choice but to visit The Bay State. Ice cream is more than just a treat in Massachusetts; the state has a whole tradition built around this tasty dessert.

Massachusetts isn't just the birthplace of many iconic ice cream brands and chains; it also holds the crown for having the highest per capita ice cream consumption in the country. And there’s a simple explanation for this: ice cream there is simply scrumptious! Plus, you can find a variety of flavors rarely seen elsewhere.

8

Connecticut

Image: Nadya Spetnitskaya

If you love both pizza and seafood, you don’t have to choose between them; you can enjoy both at the same time with Connecticut’s iconic white clam pizza.

This unique pizza originated at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a legendary spot in New Haven. But what makes it special? Well, let’s call it a rebel pizza—it breaks a few of the traditional "rules" you might expect a pizza to follow. Instead of tomato sauce, it has an olive and garlic base , topped with fresh clams , a staple in Connecticut cuisine. What do you think of this recipe?

9

Illinois

Image: Sergey Kotenev

American food offers something for everyone, even blending the best of different flavors into one dish. If meat and bread are your thing, you’ll love Illinois’ Italian beef.

First, a broth seasoned with delicious ingredients such as garlic and oregano is prepared. Then, the thinly sliced beef is simmered in the broth to absorb all the flavor. Once cooked, it's served on crusty bread.

An important part of the dish is its topping options: you can choose between a rich, spicy giardiniera or sweet peppers to add flavor and texture.

10

New Hampshire

Image: Nikldn

Now let’s go with a classic : pancakes with maple syrup. And we’re not talking about just any syrup, but the one from New Hampshire.

The Granite State is known for its pure, high-quality maple syrup, which is a key part of the state’s identity. And what better to pair with this sweet delight than a good stack of pancakes, right?

So now you know: if you want to take your breakfast to the next level, you have to visit New Hampshire. We recommend going in early spring , right at the peak of maple syrup season.

1

New York-style Pizza

Image: Alex Haney

Let’s start with a city synonymous with excellent pizza . New York-style pizza is an iconic variety, universally recognizable for its thin crust, delicious sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Nothing says New York City as folding a mouth-watering slice and enjoying this delicacy while the sounds of "The City that Never Sleeps" seem to fade in the background.

New York style is remarkably similar to the Neapolitan style, an Italian recipe considered by many to be close to perfection . Many historians believe that Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so it seems almost poetic that what many consider to be the first truly American style was inspired by this iconic city.

2

Chicago-style pizza

Image: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Unlike its New York City counterpart, the Windy City’s pizza has no Italian ancestor. While its exact origins are still debated, we do know that Chicago-style pizza was developed at some point between the 1920s and 1940s. However our Italian friends might feel about this style, the good people of Chicago proudly stand by this beloved deep-dish, high-edge cheesy treat.

One of the most interesting things about Chicago-style pizza is how it turns around the traditional way in which pizza ingredients are placed: Its chunky tomato sauce covers the copious amounts of cheese used. The result is a hearty and delicious meal , sought after by both locals and tourists alike.

3

Pepperoni

Image: Alan Hardman

While no one can deny that Italy is the birthplace of pizza, this delicious ingredient comes straight from America . Granted, it is a variation of the Italian salami invented by immigrants in New York City at the start of the 20th century, but it has grown to become one of the most iconic toppings associated with American pizza.

Pepperoni comes from " peperoni ," which is the Italian word for "bell peppers". This spicy sausage is fairly similar to the salamis from Southern Italy, like " salsiccia" or " soppressata ."

4

California style pizza

Image: Prayitno

This is one of the youngest entities on this list. In the 1980s, several California chefs simultaneously came up with a new idea for pizza: a pie that combines New York’s thin crust with traditional toppings from California cuisine. The result is known as the California-style pizza, an amalgamation of traditional characteristics and innovative new flavors .

Among the many toppings that might be included in this type of pizza, a few that particularly stand out are zucchini flowers, smoked salmon, eggs, and bacon. However, perhaps the most well-known contribution from this style is the now-iconic barbecue chicken pizza , created by chef Ed LaDou in 1985.

5

Detroit Style

Image: Parker Hilton

If Detroit-style pizza teaches us anything, is that pizza is delicious no matter which shape it’s in . Known for its characteristic rectangular shape, this variety’s crust resembles a typical focaccia , a type of Italian bread. It was created in the 1940s, allegedly invented in a former speakeasy at the corner of Six Mile Road and Conant Street.

Interestingly, the unusual shape of this delicious pizza is associated with Detroit’s impressive automotive industry. Many believe that the first pies of this style were baked in steel trays used in car factories, either as dripping pans or to hold small parts.

6

Famous Pizza Places

Image: Dylan Mullins

In 1905, Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi opened the very first pizza restaurant in America, located in the heart of Manhattan. And while the still-operational Lombardi’s was the first American parlor, it certainly wasn’t the last. Let’s take a memento to recognize a few of the very best pizza places America has to offer.

If you are looking for an unusual yet unforgettable pie, you might want to visit Frank Pepe's in New Haven, Connecticut, and try their unique clam pizza, topped with olive oil, garlic, and freshly shucked clams. Should you want a nice deep-dish pizza, try the original Uno Pizzeria & Grill, which claims to be the birthplace of Chicago-style pizza . Or, if you want to stick with a classic, you can always visit Lombardi’s and try their 119-year-old recipe.

7

Hawaiian pizza

Image: bckfwd

The origins of this pizza are controversial , and almost as divisive as this peculiar flavor is. For starters, let’s start with the elephant in the room: This pizza was not invented in America. It was created by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-born Canadian cook who wished to experiment with sweet and savory flavors and decided to try adding bits of pineapple to a ham pizza.

However, this pizza is named after America’s 50th state for a reason, since pineapples are probably Hawaii’s most iconic product . In fact, Panopoulos named his creation after the brand of canned pineapple he was using at the time. In any case, the matter of whether Hawaiian pizza was a hit or a miss is still debatable. Some praise its unique taste, while others openly loathe it.

8

Pizza Chains

Image: Alexandra Gorn

After the American public was introduced to it in the 20th century, pizza unsurprisingly became an extremely profitable consumer good. In the 1960s, many now-massive pizza chains came into existence, providing the market with a massively popular and easily produced fast food.

Just to name a few, brands like Pizza Hut, Domino’s or Little Caesar’s became household names in no time. Besides their massive success and worldwide locations, these pizza chains share a common characteristic: they all started as small businesses, that eventually became beloved behemoths through hard work and resilience.

9

Tomato pie

Image: NASA

Just like with Hawaiian pizza, prepare for a controversial subject , which can be summed up into a single, self-contained question: Are tomato pies pizzas? Let’s see the arguments for both sides. On one hand, tomato pies are usually not served straight from the oven, and in some areas, they are even completely cheeseless. On the other, we can take an "if it looks like a duck" mentality regarding tomato pies: If they look like pizza and taste like pizza, then how can we consider them anything else but pizza?

In any case, whatever classification this tasty treat might fall into, it should be said that tomato pies are a must-try delicacy while visiting the Northeastern United States. They are also known as bakery pizza and church pie in Rhode Island and Philadelphia.

10

Pizza Delivery

Image: Rowan Freeman

The history of pizza wouldn’t be complete without the advent of this game-changing innovation. Deliveries allowed us to enjoy all the cheesy goodness of pizza in the comfort and convenience of our homes. A lot could be said about the unsung heroes who made pizza and movie nights possible, so we’ll pay tribute to them by retelling two turning points in pizza delivery history.

In 1994, Pizza Hut made history by launching the very first viable online ordering system. While primitive, this service registered thousands of orders: To this date, Pizza Hut claims that the very first online purchase ever was a Pizza Hut pizza. Not content with this record, in 2001 Pizza Hut decided to go against "the Final Frontier" and delivered a salami pizza to the International Space Station, the very first pizza successfully delivered to outer space.

1

Olympic National Park, Washington (2.9 million visitors)

Located in Washington state, in the Pacific Northwest, this park offers a mix of glaciated mountains, lush rainforests, lakes, rivers, and more than 70 miles of coastline . Established as a national monument in 1909, it was designated a national park in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

2

Joshua Tree National Park, California (3.2 million visitors)

Famous for the Joshua trees that give it its name, this area was designated a national monument in 1936 and a national park in 1994. The park encompasses part of two California deserts —the Mojave and Colorado deserts—and is lined by the Little San Bernardino Mountains in the southwest.

3

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (3.4 million visitors)

Did you know that most of this national park exists thanks to an oil magnate? The park was established in 1929, but it was enlarged when John D. Rockefeller Jr. —who also contributed to many other national parks— secretly purchased surrounding land to be established as a monument. The park gets its name from the tallest peak of the Teton mountain range , and it's famous for its pristine lakes and abundant wildlife.

4

Acadia National Park, Maine (3.8 million visitors)

Located on the Maine coast, this park was established as a national monument in 1916 and a national park in 1919. Besides the beautiful Atlantic shoreline, Acadia National Park offers granite mountain peaks, forests, lakes, and islands .

5

Yosemite National Park, California (3.8 million visitors)

Famous for both its granite peaks and its tall sequoias, Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada range in California . Established in 1890, some of its popular features are the El Capitan —a tall rock formation— the Cathedral Peak, and the Sentinel dome.

6

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (4.1 million visitors)

Located within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, it was established in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson. Besides its stunning mountain views and alpine lakes, the park is home to the Trail Ridge Road , one of the highest paved routes in the country.

7

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho (4.5 million visitors)

Considered to be the first national park in the world, Yellowstone was established in 1872 and covers part of three different states —Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Besides its wildlife and mountain scenery, it is famous for being located in a volcanic caldera and having many geothermal features. The most famous among them is the Old Faithful geyser.

8

Zion National Park, Utah (4.6 million visitors)

Located in Utah, where the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert meet, this national park boasts a hugely diverse ecosystem , with varied plants and animals. Its geography includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, and monoliths, including the famous Zion Canyon. The park was established in 1919.

9

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (4.7 million visitors)

Centered around one of the most famous landmarks in America , this national park was established in 1908 as a national monument and designated a national park in 1919. The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River in the Arizona desert, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

10

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee (13.2 million visitors)

Straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border, this national park not only includes part of the Great Smoky Mountain range, but also the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian rainforest. Established in 1934 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, this park is the home of some of the tallest mountains of eastern North America , such as Kuwohi or Mount Guyot.