The Most Iconic Foods Every State Has Given the Rest of the US

Otto Rohwedder of Davenport invented and patented the automatic bread-slicing machine, leading to the first loaf of sliced bread being sold in 1928.

Made with or without meringue topping, sour cream and raisin pies are a Kansas specialty introduced by European immigrants.

The mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938, and now nearly 120,000 juleps featuring Kentucky bourbon are served during the two days of the event.

Made of classic French choux pastry, beignets were brought to New Orleans by French settlers from Acadia in eastern Canada. These fried dough puffs covered in powdered sugar are addictive enough that visitors and locals alike will wait in line for a fresh batch.

Multiple conflicting accounts exist surrounding the invention of the po’boy — a French bread sandwich often featuring fried seafood with lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and pickles — but most can agree that it first appeared in New Orleans and is now nationally beloved.