Where to Eat America's Most Iconic Regional Dishes

Yahoo

10 hours ago

Whether it's Philly cheesesteaks or San Diego tacos, the best versions are almost always found close to home.
There's no faster way to understand a place than by sitting down with its most iconic dish. Whether it's a piled-high cheesesteak, a blistered slice of pizza, or a crab cake so packed with meat it barely holds together, regional foods tell a story — one that's often best understood through what's on the plate.
Across the country, some dishes have achieved cult status. Others remain fiercely local, the kind of meals you need to travel for or know someone to find. While the big names — Café du Monde, Giordano's, Ben's Chili Bowl — deserve their reputations, there's always more to explore beyond the tourist stops. And these days, more chefs and homegrown spots are digging deeper into local ingredients, traditions, and techniques to serve up versions that feel both rooted and new.
As part of Food & Wine's 2025 Global Tastemakers series, we searched for the best places to experience these dishes at their most memorable. From barbacoa tacos in San Diego to half smokes in D.C., these are the places where history, flavor, and a strong sense of place come together.
Baltimore crab cakes
In Baltimore, crab cakes aren't just a menu item — they're a point of pride. The best ones are packed with lump blue crab, barely held together, and seasoned just enough to let the seafood shine.
Faidley's at Lexington Market is the classic — big, broiled, and no-nonsense, served with a side of local history. Thames Street Oyster House leans upscale, with a beautifully balanced crab cake and house-made tartare sauce that's worth the splurge. Mama's on the Half Shell offers a more laid-back experience, with consistently solid crab cakes and a neighborhood vibe. G&M Restaurant, just outside the city, is known for its enormous portions and a buttery richness that's made it a destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you like them broiled or fried, simple or dressed up, Baltimore's crab cakes set the standard.
Related: Your Stop-by-Stop Guide to Maryland's Best Blue Crabs
Buffalo wings
In Buffalo, wings aren't a side; they're the whole meal — and it's taken seriously. Buffalo invented the wing, and the city still does it better than just about anywhere. Whether you like them mild, medium, or blazing hot, the sauce, texture, and setting all matter.Anchor Bar is where it all started back in 1964, and while it's a must for first-timers, plenty of locals have a different go-to. Duff's Famous Wings is the main rival — hotter, crispier, and unapologetically proud of it. Nine Eleven Tavern keeps things low-key, serving perfectly sauced wings with just the right level of heat. Wingnutz, located inside a neighborhood bowling alley, is known for its extra-crispy style and serious attention to texture. Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill pairs classic execution with a full sports bar setup, making it a dependable wing destination any night of the week.
Related: A Highly Opinionated Guide to the Best Buffalo Wings in Buffalo
Chicago-style pizza
Chicago might be known for its deep-dish pies — but that's only part of the story. While Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Giordano's have earned national attention, it's the local favorites that show just how wide the city's pizza range really is.
Vito & Nick's Pizzeria, a longtime South Side staple, is beloved for its tavern-style pies: thin, crisp-edged, and cut into squares. Pequod's Pizza does its own thing entirely, baking thick pan-style pizzas with a caramelized crust that gives each slice a rich, almost candied edge. Nancy's Pizza, the original 'stuffed' pie pioneer, doubles down on decadence with a second layer of dough under the sauce. Candlelite Chicago brings tavern pizza into a cozy retro setting, pairing cracker-thin crusts with a big neighborhood following — and they even ship their pies nationwide via Goldbelly.
Whether you're a deep-dish devotee or a tavern-cut traditionalist, Chicago's pizza scene is layered with more than just cheese and sauce.
Related: Chicago Is the Home of 3 Pizza Styles and 1 Undisputed Topping
D.C. Half Smoke
The half smoke is Washington, D.C.'s hometown sausage — spicier and smokier than a hot dog, usually split and grilled, and often served with a generous ladle of chili. It's bold, messy, and deeply local.
Ben's Chili Bowl is the most iconic place to try one, and for good reason — since 1958, it's been feeding everyone from U Street locals to presidents. Meats & Foods offers a smaller, more DIY vibe, with house-made half smokes and craft beer in the fridge. And Weenie Beenie, a low-key drive-in with a cult following, keeps things old-school with solid half smokes and no pretense.
The half smoke may not be as nationally known as other regional dishes, but in D.C., it's a staple that speaks for itself.
Key Lime Pie
Tart, creamy, and refreshing with each bite, in the Florida Keys, key lime pie isn't just dessert — it's tradition, and everyone has an opinion on where to get the best slice. The real thing should be made with real Key limes, a graham cracker crust, and no green food coloring in sight.
Blue Heaven serves a sky-high version topped with a cloud of meringue, perfect after a breezy outdoor brunch. Kermit's Key Lime Shop is a classic, offering pies by the slice, whole, or even dipped in chocolate and frozen on a stick. Mrs. Mac's Kitchen in Key Largo is a favorite road trip stop, with a bold, tangy filling and a thick, buttery crust. And Burdines adds a deep-fried twist, serving their pie warm and crispy with a scoop of vanilla on the side.
Whether you like it frozen, fried, or piled high with meringue, there's no wrong way to do key lime pie — just make sure it's tart.
Related: The Best Dang Key Lime Pies in South Florida
Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville's signature fried chicken isn't just spicy — it's a full-body experience. You'll find it everywhere now, but there's no substitute for getting it in the city where it started.
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack is the original and still the one to beat, serving chicken that's deep-fried, cayenne-coated, and soulfully hot. Hattie B's draws big lines for a reason, offering a wider range of heat levels and a more polished setup that's great for first-timers. But if you want a local favorite with no frills and serious fire, head to Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish — where the spice level doesn't come with warnings; it comes with pride. For something a little more under the radar, Red's 615 Kitchen is turning out crisp, juicy, perfectly seasoned hot chicken alongside standout sides that make it a full meal.
Whether you're team extra hot or sticking to mild, Nashville's hot chicken scene proves that heat is just one part of the flavor.
Philly cheesesteaks
In Philadelphia, cheesesteaks are personal. Everyone has a go-to spot, and the best versions are simple: thin-sliced steak, melty cheese, and a good roll — nothing more, nothing less.
D'Alessandro's draws a loyal neighborhood crowd with fresh-off-the-grill steaks and friendly counter service. John's Roast Pork might be known for its namesake sandwich, but its cheesesteak — with crusty seeded rolls and a perfect meat-to-cheese ratio — is one of the city's best. Angelo's Pizzeria also gets plenty of buzz, pairing top-quality meat with house-baked bread that makes every bite count. For something more upscale, Barclay Prime offers a luxe take that comes with a Wagyu upgrade (and a hefty price tag). And Triangle Tavern is a South Philly standby that's easy to overlook — but shouldn't be.
Skip the neon signs and long lines at the tourist traps. Philly's real cheesesteak scene is happening elsewhere.
Related: 9 Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteaks, From Classic to Vegan to Luxe
New Orleans beignets
Beignets are a sweet staple of New Orleans, best eaten fresh, hot, and absolutely buried in powdered sugar. Café du Monde might be the most famous — and yes, everyone should try it once — but the city's beignet scene goes far beyond the tourist trail.
Café Beignet's Bourbon Street location offers a calmer setting with a side of live jazz, perfect if you're looking to avoid the crowds. Loretta's Authentic Pralines puts a take on the classic by stuffing its beignets with creamy praline filling, turning a snack into a full-blown dessert. Morning Call is a longtime local favorite, open late with an old-school vibe and coffee to match. And The Vintage puts a more modern spin on things with seasonal flavors and cocktails to pair. Whether you're after a powdered sugar classic or a creative take, New Orleans knows how to fry dough right.
New York City pizza
New York pizza is more than just a slice — it's a ritual. Whether you're grabbing a foldable wedge or sitting down for a Neapolitan pie with a wine list, the city does pizza in every style, at every level.
Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village is the blueprint: thin, cheesy, and fast, with a line that moves as quickly as you'd expect. In Queens, New Park Pizza is a classic, known for its charred, gooey cheese slice that flies out of the oven. L'industrie Pizzeria, which started out in Brooklyn, blends New York style with Italian technique, while Mama's Too — with two locations in Manhattan — turns out square pies with thick, airy crusts and bold toppings. Una Pizza Napoletana offers something different entirely: blistered Neapolitan pies with a cult following and repeated 'best pizza in the world' nods.
Whether you're chasing old-school slices or modern perfection, New York's pizza scene is impossible to sum up in one bite — but that won't stop anyone from trying.
Related: If You Visit 5 Pizzerias in NYC, Let It Be These
San Diego tacos
Craving tacos? Thanks to its proximity to the border and deep Mexican-American roots, San Diego's taco scene is among the best in the country — especially if you're into crispy fish, lamb barbacoa, or spicy pork sliced fresh off the spit.
At Tacos El Gordo, the adobada is sliced to order from a trompo that never stops turning. Over at TJ Oyster Bar, seafood fans swear by the fried fish tacos and ice-cold ceviche. For melt-in-your-mouth lamb, Aquí es Texcoco leans into traditional barbacoa with handmade tortillas that practically beg for a second round. Las Cuatro Milpas, open since the 1930s, offers the city's most no-frills, line-around-the-block experience — and that's part of the charm.
Whether you're eating curbside or seated with a fork and knife, San Diego's taco game runs deep.
To uncover the best food and drink experiences for travelers, Food & Wine polled over 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers, and wine pros from across the globe for their top culinary travel experiences. We then turned the results over to our Global Advisory Board, who ranked the top nominees in each category. For the full list of all 165 winners, visit foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers.
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