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What All 50 States Look Like Designed Out of Food

Reader's Digest EditorsReader's Digest EditorsUpdated: Jul. 01, 2022

Chris Durso, food blogger and founder of Foodiggity.com, likes to play with his food almost as much as his son does. When Chris' son was eight, he suggested that dad recreate all 50 states out of food. (“What if they like had funny names like New Pork or New Jerky?”) After more than a year of food styling and pun-crafting, Durso and son debut the complete Foodnited States. Take a tour of our edible union below.

1 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Alabama

Or should we say, “Alahama”? This ham is one meaty take on the Yellowhammer State. This is the most iconic bucket list activity in all 50 states.

2 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Alaska

Topped with some Alaskan maple syrup, Waffleaska waffles are part of a complete breakfast.

3 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Arizona

When you border Mexico like Arizona, better believe you can get some good arroz (rice!). You know it’s not Z, so can you guess the only letter that’s not in any state name?

4 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Arkansas

The perfect side for any Arkansas barbecue: cole slaw.

5 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

California

Los Angeles is all about trendy, clean eating like kale, avocado, and tacos, after all.

6 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Colorado

When you’re one of the healthiest states in America, you better be loaded up on good fats like avocado.

7 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Connecticut

The people of Connecticut are bringing home the bacon in more way than one.

8 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Delaware

A schmear of Nutella for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Don’t mind if we do. Learn where to find the weirdest roadside attraction in every state.

9 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Florida

When you need a beach body year-round, you can bet a salad with romaine and radicchio will be one of your go-to’s.

10 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Georgia

Gorgonzola and peaches are a completely underrated combo—just ask any Georgian. This is the best free tourist attraction in every state.

11 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Hawaii

Sriracha and pineapple: the best sweet-and-hot flavor combination you’ve never tried.

12 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Idaho

Just one question for you: apple, cherry, or pumpkin pie?

13 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Illinois

You’re lying if you say fusilli pasta with red sauce isn’t your favorite easy dinner.

14 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Indiana

Sugar, spice, and everything nice… that’s what cinnamon rolls and Indianans are made of. Here’s where to find the most charming small town in every state.

15 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Iowa

Sometimes seedy with some juicy stories, watermelon and Iowa is always sweet.

16 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Kansas

Not to be reserved for a Thanksgiving side dish, cranberries are always a healthy option.

17 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Kentucky

Gobble gobble! Do you prefer roast turkey or deli turkey?

18 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Louisiana

Forget the Brie and Asiago—Easy Cheese is where it’s at. Learn about the weirdest world records broken in every state.

19 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Maine

When you can’t be bothered to cook, we highly recommend pork lo mein. Better than lahbsta, amiright?

20 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Maryland

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries—we’ve got all your mixed berries here. See how many states you can identify on a completely blank U.S. map.

21 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Massachusetts

Only fitting that the home of Plymouth Rock would also be the site of what we dare say is the best Thanksgiving side dish: mashed potatoes.

22 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Michigan

When you live in the Great Lakes State, might as well take advantage of its excellent fish.

23 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Minnesota

We wouldn’t disgrace Minnesotans with those instant noodles—this is the authentic kind of ramen.

24 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Mississippi

Getting your daily veggie intake is easy with peas on your side. How fast can you spell Mississippeas backwards?

25 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Missouri

Refried bean puns are so much better than those jokes about “living in misery.”

26 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Montana

Montana is famous for its mountains, but naan is known for its flatness and fluffiness—and a side of tikka masala if you’re lucky.

27 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Nebraska

Everything tastes better on a kebab stick, as Nebraskans can attest. This is the best-kept secret you can find in every state.

28 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Nevada

Forget pumpkin—the best thing about fall is the banana bread in Nevada.

29 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

New Hampshire

Love it or hate it, Spam is undeniably a cheap source of protein.

30 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

New Jersey

Beef jerky, turkey jerky, elk jerky—we’ll take new jerky over old jerky no matter what.

31 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

New Mexico

No one can resist a mini quiche at a party.

32 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

New York

Pizza and bagels are good and all, but this pork tops everything.

33 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

North Carolina

When vegetarians can’t eat North Carolina barbecue, ditch the BBQ sauce, grab a Wet Wipe, and load up on lima beans.

34 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

North Dakota

Take a break from chicken and serve up some tasty duck.

35 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Ohio

Like oatmeal raisin cookies, Ohio is completely underrated.

36 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Oklahoma

Skip the ranch dip and dish up a healthy dollop of hummus.

37 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Oregon

Any Oregon camping trip deserves s’mores over the campfire. Don’t forget the marshmallows! Roast yours at the best RV park in every state.

38 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia cheesesteaks are good, but an Amish pretzel is even better.

39 / 50
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Rhode Island

This small state is big on flavor. Chocolate, marshmallow, and nuts … what more could you want from rocky road ice cream?

40 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

South Carolina

Your favorite frozen treat is even better with a healthy spoonful of caramel. Care-uh-mell or car-mull? Say these 9 phrases and we’ll tell you where you’re from.

41 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

South Dakota

Chocolate for breakfast? No judgment, South Dakota—as long as you don’t let that Cocoa Puff milk go to waste.

42 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Tennessee

We’re not talking tuna salad sandwiches—this is all about sushi-grade tuna.

43 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Texas

You wouldn’t really go to Texas and not get Tex-Mex, would you?

44 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Utah

Prosciutto is almost as salty as the Great Salt Lake.

45 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Vermont

Even in the home state of Ben & Jerry’s, mint chocolate chip ice cream is about as refreshing as it gets.

46 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Virginia

Virginia is for lovers—and for liver.

47 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Washington

Fun fact: Quinoa is pronounced “keen-wah.” More fun fact: It’s a seed, not a grain.

48 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

West Virginia

Catch me if you can! A gingerbread man belongs on any West Virginian’s Christmas cookie platter.

49 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Wisconsin

Those Cheesehead Packers fans will attest that cheeses like Swiss deserve their own food group.

50 / 50
Courtesy Chris Durso

Wyoming

White, wheat, or rye? The toast choice is obvious in Ryeoming. Find out how every state in America got its (real) name.

Originally Published: September 18, 2018
Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest