Top 10 US Cities with Signature Dishes you HAVE to Try!

If you haven’t traveled recently, this article might just be what you need to spark your desire to get in the car and take a road trip. It was a difficult task, but we rounded up the best food cities to eat.

1. Chicago and their deep-dish pizza

We know that there are a lot of arguments surrounding pizza. New Yorkers insist theirs is the best, while some even say that the Chicago deep dish is not even a pizza at all! All we know, is that the deep-dish pizza is something you have to eat when you’re in Chicago. The name comes from the fact that the pizza is baked in a dish, which cause the crusts to be a few inches tall. Of course, this makes it possible to ladle spoonsful of sauce and cheese over the pizza. A bready base with lots of sauce and cheese? We’re keen for that!

2. Buffalo, New York – Buffalo Wings

Who doesn’t love a moist, spicy chicken wing? Well, if you’re looking for one of the best, be sure to try out buffalo wings in the place where they originated. It’s said that the first ‘buffalo’ wing recipe were invented in the 1960s at the Anchor Bay bar by Teressa Bellissimo, when they served fresh hot wings with hot sauce and blue cheese. Even though the invention was by accident (as it goes with most inventions), we think they’re delicious!

3. Key West, Florida – Key Lime Pie

You might have seen many recipes before for Key Lime Pie, but interestingly, a pie can only be called Key Lime Pie, if it actually contains key lime juice. Use any other limes, and it’s simply a lime pie (doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, right?). Lime juice is mixed with sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and it’s added to a cookie crust. It’s the perfect tangy dessert for summer.

4. Cincinnati, Ohio – Cincinnati Chili

The US is well-known for their chili. And most people have made a Texas chili at home. But Cincinnati is something special all together. Unlike the other recipes, an unusual blend of spices and seasonings (like cinnamon, chocolate, allspice, and Worcestershire sauce) is added, and it’s usually served with pasta. The recipe was originally created by a Greek immigrant for his Greek restaurant, which explains why the flavors are inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.

5. Nashville, Tennessee – Nashville Hot Chicken

The story behind Nashville Hot Chicken is quite interesting. It’s said that the wife of the now famous Thornton Prince tried to get revenge, when her husband came home late once again. But instead of getting ill, he loved the fiery fried chicken! Today, you can try this famous recipe at Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville, where it’s made with a mixture of cayenne, hot sauce, and chili powder. But beware, it’s only for the brave!

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Philly Cheesesteak

You’d really want to kick yourself if you visit Philly without getting this iconic sandwich. The dish was invented in the 1930s, by a hot dog vendor who grilled some beef and decided to serve it on a roll. What are you missing out on? Well, imagine a toasted sub, topped with thinly-sliced rib eye steak, fried onions, and peppers. Of course, this is all topped with a good amount of cheese. It might just be the best sandwich you ever had!

7. New Orleans, Louisiana – Beignets

There are many foods New Orleans are known for: muffulettas, po boys, etouffee, jambalaya, bananas foster…and many more! But one dessert you have to try, is beignets. If you can get them at the 150-year-old famous Café du Monde, that’s even better. These tasty pillows are basically deep-fried pieces of dough and covered with a (very) generous amount of powdered sugar. It’s like a doughnut, but better!

8. Louisville, Kentucky – Hot Brown

Who doesn’t love a satisfying sandwich? And the Kentucky Hot Brown is just that. Said to have originated almost 100 years ago, this open-faced sandwich was first invented as an alternative to the usual supper. A chef at the Brown Hotel, used Texas toast, and added slices of turkey, cheese, and a good serving of Mornay (a creamy cheese sauce). And it MUST be served with two strips of bacon!

9. San Francisco, California – Sourdough Bread

If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco soon, make sure you visit the Boudin Bakery, to get a taste of authentic San Francisco sourdough. This sourdough is special because it’s got a specific tangy flavor, all thanks to the slow fermentation which occurs under cooler conditions. Some even say that the bay’s cool, humid air creates the perfect conditions for this iconic bread!

10. Boston, Massachusetts – Boston Cream Pie

The Boston Cream Pie was first created in 1856, at the Boston’s Parker House Hotel, and its known as one of America’s classic desserts. It consists of two layers of sponge cake (usually yellow butter cake), filled with a sweet custard. The custard is a type of pasty cream made from egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla flavoring (it’s also known as a crème patisserie). The whole ‘cake’ is then covered with a rich chocolate glaze. What’s not to love?