We all love a good burger or plate of BBQ, but the U.S. has so much more to offer when it comes to food. All across the country, there are amazing regional dishes packed with flavor, history, and local pride—you just might not hear about them every day.
These hidden gems come from small towns, family kitchens, and cultural traditions that deserve more attention. If you love trying new things, this list is a tasty place to start.
1. Cincinnati Chili
This Ohio favorite flips the chili script by serving it over spaghetti, often with piles of shredded cheddar cheese. The sauce is spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of chocolate, giving it a sweet-savory balance that surprises first-timers.
It may not look like traditional chili, but locals are loyal to it. Whether you go 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way (yes, that’s a thing), it’s pure comfort food with a twist.
2. Grape Salad (Midwest)
Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it—this dish combines fresh grapes with sour cream, cream cheese, and a sprinkle of brown sugar and pecans. It’s sweet, creamy, and has just the right amount of crunch.
Popular at potlucks across Minnesota and beyond, grape salad is a retro side dish that feels like dessert. Simple and refreshing, it’s ready for a comeback.
3. Scrapple (Mid-Atlantic)
Made from pork scraps and cornmeal, scrapple is sliced and pan-fried until crispy on the outside and soft inside. It’s a hearty breakfast favorite in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of Maryland.
Yes, it’s a “use-every-part” dish, but that’s part of the charm. Serve it with eggs and toast, and you’ve got a filling, flavorful start to your day.
4. Navajo Fry Bread
A golden, puffy flatbread that can be eaten sweet or savory, fry bread is a Native American staple with deep roots. Often topped with honey and powdered sugar or used as a base for tacos, it’s crispy, chewy, and incredibly versatile.
Created out of hardship during forced relocations, it’s now a symbol of survival and cultural pride. One bite and you’ll understand why it’s treasured.
5. Hotdish (Upper Midwest)
Hotdish is more than just a casserole—it’s a way of life in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Typically made with ground beef, canned soup, vegetables, and topped with tater tots, it’s baked until bubbly and golden.
Good for cold weather and community gatherings, it’s cozy, humble, and loaded with Midwest charm. This is the ultimate comfort food, plain and simple.
6. Pimento Cheese (South)
Known as the “caviar of the South,” pimento cheese is a creamy, tangy spread made from cheddar, mayo, and chopped pimentos. It’s perfect in sandwiches, dolloped on crackers, or melted into grits.
Despite its humble ingredients, it packs a big flavor punch. It deserves a place at every picnic, party, or lunchbox.
7. Loco Moco (Hawai‘i)
Loco Moco starts with a bed of rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and rich brown gravy. It’s savory, messy, and incredibly satisfying.
Found all over Hawai‘i, it’s a favorite comfort dish that brings together American and local influences. If you love hearty meals, this one hits all the right notes.
8. Taylor Ham/Pork Roll (New Jersey)
This salty, savory meat is a breakfast staple in North and Central Jersey. Typically sliced, fried, and stuffed into a roll with egg and cheese, it’s crispy on the edges and packed with flavor.
Depending on where you’re from, you might call it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll—but either way, it’s pure Jersey pride in sandwich form.
9. Slugburger (Mississippi)
Don’t worry—there are no slugs in a slugburger. It’s a Depression-era burger made with beef or pork mixed with soy grits, deep-fried, and served on a bun.
Popular in Northeast Mississippi, it’s crunchy, savory, and totally unique. A bite of history, served hot and greasy just like it should be.
10. Dutch Baby Pancake (Pacific Northwest)
This oven-baked pancake puffs up like a popover and has crispy edges with a custard-like center. Typically served in a skillet with powdered sugar, lemon juice, or fruit, it’s part pancake, part magic.
Originating from German immigrants in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a weekend brunch star waiting to be rediscovered.
11. Chislic (South Dakota)
Chunks of cubed meat—usually lamb or beef—are deep-fried or grilled and served on skewers. A simple dish with serious flavor, often sprinkled with garlic salt and served with crackers or bread.
It’s a South Dakota tradition that deserves way more love outside the state. Great for sharing, even better for snacking.
12. Burgoo (Kentucky)
Think of burgoo as Kentucky’s answer to stew—slow-cooked with meats like pork, mutton, or chicken, plus beans, corn, and okra. It’s thick, spicy, and served in big bowls at gatherings and festivals.
Born from necessity and made for crowds, burgoo is deeply Southern and built for feeding the soul.
13. St. Paul Sandwich (Missouri)
This wild card of a sandwich comes from St. Louis and features an egg foo young patty on white bread with lettuce, pickles, and mayo. It’s a Chinese-American mash-up that somehow just works.
Cheap, filling, and completely unique, it’s a fusion classic with hometown roots.
14. Indian Tacos (Native American communities)
Using fry bread instead of tortillas, Indian tacos are loaded with seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. They’re crispy, hearty, and packed with bold flavor.
Common at powwows and festivals, they reflect Indigenous resilience and creativity. Once you try one, you’ll be hooked.
15. Chicken Spiedies (Upstate New York)
Marinated chicken cubes grilled and stuffed into soft Italian bread—spiedies are the pride of Binghamton, NY. The marinade, often filled with garlic, vinegar, herbs, and lemon, gives them a bright, tangy kick.
They’re simple, tasty, and made for grilling season. A summer must-try that deserves national fame.