The Best Meal Every State Has To Offer According To The Best Thing I Ever Ate

Some may dismiss American cuisine as derivative, disgusting, or just bad. But there are ardent fans out there. One journalist from the Huffington Post proudly and ardently proclaims that American cuisine isn't just great, it's among the best of the best. After all, the country spans the width of a continent, houses people from every walk of life, and has many ingredients at its disposal — there is a lot of room for downright good cooking in the States. 

The television series "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" sets off across the country with different chefs and foodies to find the best eats that each state, region, and locale has to offer. With a mighty 13 seasons, hundreds of episodes, and countless categories and meals, the list of best things they ever ate is a daunting task for hungry fans (via IMDb).

For the voracious reader, however, we've done the work to whittle down the list to the best meal each state has to offer. You'll note that this list isn't a neat 50 states and this is for two main reasons: First, the series simply hasn't had the chance to delve into each state yet. Second, some states have only had their best desserts or appetizers featured. While these are sure to be yummy, we've opted to stick with the main course this time around.

It may feel weird to dine on Mediterranean food in the desert, but that's just the kind of oasis that the family-owned and operated Queen Creek Olive Mill of Arizona provides. The Mill promises to treat all visitors to a delectable taste of the Mediterranean. The olive mill offers up a bevy of indulgences that may be off the beaten path for some. There's a reason why "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" pointed to the restaurant's kalamata sandwich as absolutely exquisite. With onsite olive cultivation, Queen Creek Mill offers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy exotic goods that are locally produced (via Visit Arizona).

One reviewer observes that mill's kalamata sandwich is both a first-rate and delicious bite. But, beyond that, the restaurant provides a unique and enjoyable atmosphere. In short, come for the sandwich, but stay for the coffee, wines, and arsenal of olives and olive goods. The review notes that the outdoor eating area is very well done, especially given the functioning olive grove that surrounds the Mill. Perhaps while snacking on olives you can close your eyes and pretend that the breeze caressing your face is coming straight from the Aegean.

Colorado has been coming on the map as a trendy place to live for some time. Nonetheless, it may come as a surprise to find one of the best dishes in the state in the unassuming town of Carbondale, which has a population, at the date of writing, of around 6,600 people (via Data Commons). But that's the beauty of the television series' premise — there are so many wonderful restaurants out there to be discovered.

Garcia's Market is located just off the highway and is sure to provide some really yummy stuff to those who are in the know. Among its menagerie of Mexican dishes is what the show deems as the best menudo in the States. This is a dish worth getting to know. 

Menudo is a Mexican cattle rancher's soup that makes use of every part of the cow. Per 10Best, it's cow stomach soup, and it's a divisive dish. While some may not be able to stomach the stomach, there is a reason why the dish has stuck around for so long. One review praises Garcia's as a place that gets down to business with as few frills as possible: It serves good food simply and authentically. As per the reviewer, every Saturday each table has at least one serving of the hearty Mexican soup.

Okay, okay, D.C. isn't a state. But the States' capital just has to be on this list. D.C. is known for some seriously killer restaurants and was even ranked in 2019 by Bloomberg as having the most exciting food scene. It's not easy to beat out traditional foodie meccas like New York and L.A., but there's a reason why the District did. After all, the city is a melting pot of people from all over the world and it's filled with the creativity that defines the East Coast. The international flair of this metropolis makes for a dynamic scene. "The Best Thing I Ever Had" tips its cap to Jaleo for having the best paella around.

In a city of utmost political importance, The Infatuation chimes in that the owner of Jaleo, Jose Andres, is the founding father of the contemporary D.C. food scene. With more than 20 years in business, Jaleo serves up refined yet earnest meals that are high in quality and low in posturing. Many would equate paella with seafood, and indeed there is a shrimp and calamari paella on the menu that is absolutely scrumptious. But the true showstopper may just be the restaurant's traditional rabbit and chicken paella Valenciana (via Tripadvisor). There is much to be said about the tried and true Jaleo paella, and it's all good.

The Olde Pink House is hard to miss, just stop at the bright pink house in Savannah, Georgia. The city's tourism site reveals that the rosy hue isn't a recent development or even really a marketing gimmick, but rather what started off as an annoying quirk. Due to some fluke, the mansion's bricks tended to bleed through the plaster cand turn the house a light pink. Private owners would try to paint over the ever-blushing building. It wasn't until around 100 years ago when the mansion was converted into a tea room that the new owner decided to end the tradition of painting over the bricks and instead fully embraced the building's pink color. It seems this was the right move, and to this day, the building is cherished for its charming color.

Beyond its looks, The Olde Pink House offers up some serious good eats with its pretty face. As recommended by "The Best Thing I Ever Ate", the pink house's BLT salad with fried green tomatoes is just as much a hit as its iconic exterior. Sure, this isn't the most complicated dish, but as one reviewer describes, this is one dish that makes this old house a must for foodies. The salad is fresh and small, topped with a thick and inviting slice of fried tomato, and drizzled generously, though not overwhelmingly, with dressing. As the review advises, there is no other choice if you want to capture the wonderfully charming essence of this Southern town.

Crispy pata is a Filipino dish that features an underutilized cut: the pork knuckle. If you think this sounds utterly unappetizing, you probably won't be shocked to hear that this dish may have started off as a literal punishment. According to Esquire, after a restaurant owner's son went, all pun intended, ham on feeding his friends, she forbade him from serving them anything but pork knuckle. The son quickly devised a way to make the dish delicious and deep-fried the knuckle so that it took on an extremely crispy exterior with an incredibly tender and gooey interior. 

While this may sound like a tall tale, it can't be denied that this pork knuckle has made its way into many a heart. The crew at "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"  signed off on the sentiment when they named the crispy pata at Ruby's Fast Food in Chicago as one of the best dishes in Illinois. This is a pretty major feat given that Illinois is the home of deep-dish pizza. When looking at the reviews, it's clear that Ruby's crispy pata is a no-brainer. One Yelp reviewer notes that it's really it's hard to go wrong at Ruby's, just about everything's going to hit the spot. But, as they conclude, it's the crispy pata that's not only done to perfection, but also served pre-chopped for easier eating. As it turns out, there's not that much elbow grease that needs to go into enjoying this pork knuckle.

Stroud's Restaurant & Bar was, according to its site, first opened as a barbecue joint at the precarious time between the end of Prohibition and the onslaught of the Second World War. While the barbecue did well in those years, once the U.S. entered the Second World War, beef was heavily rationed. This may have very well spelled ruin for the restaurant, but luckily, the owner of the restaurant, Helen Stroud, opted to start serving the much cheaper and more available chicken. At this point, she couldn't have expected that Stroud's would become affectionately known as the home of pan-fried chicken.

"The Best Thing I Ever Ate" also lists the best pan-fried chicken's true address at Stroud's. In fact, it's probably hard to find someone who would disagree. One Yelp reviewer joins in and even strongly advises to not waste time reading and to just get a move on to the restaurant to see what all the well-deserved fuss is about. But for inquiring minds, who may be further away from Kansas, read on. The reviewer describes Stroud's pan-fried chicken as being a through and through a wonderful dish: A great exterior crunch gives way to flavorful, seasoned, and juicy chicken. Sure, just about all of us have had good fried chicken. But Stroud's Restaurant & Bar does the rare thing where it takes something that's good and makes it great. Not to mention it's served with sides that the reviews note are just as praise-worthy.

It is no secret that good lobster comes from Maine. But, what is that makes that New England crustacean so unbelievably good? According to Maine's tourism site, it's all about location. The cold waters of the North Atlantic make a sweeter lobster, simply put. Notably, the cooler waters prevent the lobster from absorbing a lot of the ocean's salt. Maine quite literally has the corner on irrefutably prime lobster meat.

It's hard to have bad lobster in New England. But where is the best lobster to be had? According to "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"  it's at The Tavern at the Kennebunk Inn, formerly known as the Academe Maine Brasserie & Tavern. Boldly, the show doesn't turn to a classic lobster dish, but rather to the Inn's more experimental lobster pot pie. Despite this slightly unconventional form, one Tripadvisor review cites both the pie and the restaurant as carrying all the quaint charm that Maine has to offer. Do note however, that this is somewhat of a deconstructed pie. The actual pot pie is the bisque underneath and is simply topped with a filled puff pastry! The innovative approach certainly could surprise someone expecting a more classic take on the dish. But, for those looking to enjoy refined Maine lobster in a new way, make sure to plan in advance. The Inn's restaurant is only open from Thursday to Saturday.

Massachusetts is brimming with seafood and seemingly limitless ways to serve it. Among all the wonderful possibilities, the foodies at "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" hunkered down most eagerly with a bowl of clam chowder, or better yet, chowdah. The show cites Plymouth's very own Cabby Shack as the best place to enjoy the hearty soup. But, what is it that makes the Cabby Shack's clam chowder so exemplary? It really only takes one glance to see why — Cabby Shack serves up an extremely thick version of the already thick stew. According to one review, Cabby Shack's dish was so thick that they were able to stand a spoon straight up in it. Made with clams and cream, this isn't a dish to eat before hitting the gym. Rather, this is a dish best followed by a nap or perhaps a good seaside stroll.

Thankfully, this is a dish that comes with a view, and despite the name, the Cabby Shack is a relatively elegant affair. According to the restaurant's website, the two-story restaurant overlooks Plymouth's wharf and is a stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean. So, throw on a cable knit sweater and beanie and indulge in the food that has nourished seafaring men and women for hundreds of years.

Mississipi's The Old Country Store challenges patrons ever so tantalizingly: Just how far would you go for a good piece of fried chicken? Although the restaurant is located in an unincorporated town that is in no way close to anything, Only In Your State assures that travelers who take on the journey will be immensely rewarded. On the outside, the restaurant looks just like its name: An old country store, complete in rustic charm and the feeling that you've somehow unknowingly succeeded in time travel. Inside is what "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" has found to be some of the best fried chicken the South has to offer. 

It seems like an almost mythical atmosphere surrounds the half-eatery half-general store. At surface level, it almost sounds like a quirky tall tale. According to one Yelp review, a 92-mile drive delivered them to fried chicken heaven, and indeed, it was the best kind of Southern cuisine. They even pointed to the restaurant's chef as imparting some valuable wisdom. Indeed, Only in Your State, notes that restaurant's chef, Mr. D., really adds to the eating experience with his singing. The Old Country Store is that rare instance in life where the destination is just as important as the journey, and what a wonderful thing that is. 

Vegas is a city known to surprise and astound. Why wouldn't this desert city have the best French seafood? There are certainly stranger things out there, after all. Per "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," some of the best langoustines around can be found at the upscale L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Before reserving, you may find yourself asking: What are langoustines? You may better know them as scampi, according to the Food Network. The site compares the crustacean to crayfish in sight and lobster in taste. They're only found in certain regions of the Atlantic, are governed by strict regulations, and are hard to catch. This, combined with their great taste, makes them a luxury good that is bound to cost a pretty penny. 

L'Atelier leans into this air of rarity, and doesn't shy away from the opulent nature of the shellfish. But as observed the Food Network, the restaurant doesn't try to gild the lily. Robuchon opted to combine the natural richness of the langoustine and pair it with a more low-key but tasty basil pesto sauce. While this may seem underwhelming in comparison to other meals selected by the show, don't be so quick to write it off. The meal's charm lies in how deceptively simple it is. After all, the ingredients speak for themselves, and they do so convincingly. In that sense, the meal couldn't get more French.

Frito pie is a big point of pride for one specific region of the United States. Boiled down to its essential structure, Frito pie is simply Fritos topped off with a scoop of chili, white onions, and a sprinkling of cheddar. At its humblest, the dish is served still in the bag. 

While haters may write the dish off as low-brow, this comfort food's origin is hotly contested between Texans and New Mexicans: Both states proudly lay claim to the invention of the dish. Even though it was famously dissed by the late chef Anthony Bourdain, it nonetheless persists as a favorite dish for many.

It's no surprise then that "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" would find some Frito pie to write home about. Located at the Five & Dime General Store of Santa Fe, there's a certain charm to this rustic meal. The business is authentic — according to Only in Your State the restaurant was and is a functioning general store. The original snack bar is where you can pick up a warm Frito pie. One satisfied guest notes that while you may have to wander around the store a bit to find the snack bar, it's all a part of the experience. The reviewer describes the dish as both top-notch and economical, though do beware, only so many pies are made in a day, and they can sell out.

There's a lot of barbecue in the States, though arguably the epicenter of this sauciness is the Carolinas. In an interview with Mashed, renowned chef Rodney Scott points to the sauces used in Carolina barbecue, among other factors, as putting the Carolinas a notch above the rest. There are a lot of different and unique barbecue sauces that add a one-of-a-kind flair to Carolina barbecue.

It's only fitting that a king reigns supreme, and Bar-B-Q King of Charlotte, North Carolina is what one restaurant-goer describes poetically as BBQ heaven. To find this pathway to the divine, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" suggests ordering the restaurant's critically acclaimed Bar-B-Q chicken. When looking at the restaurant's process it's not hard to understand why this chicken is so finger-lickin' good. Instead of traditional barbecue chicken, this is fried chicken that is smothered in tangy barbecue sauce. It's sticky, sloppy, and messy, but the taste is worth it.

Oregon, specifically Portland, probably isn't where you'd look for a good Cubano, but "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" dares to do just that. The show points to the Bunk Sandwiches' pork belly Cubano as being the best around, and it's hard not to see how this came to be. Bunk Sandwiches is a single-minded shop that doggedly pursues bringing sandwiches up to another level. 

Sandwiches, while just another basic lunch to some, are a world of possibility for the sandwich shop. On the menu, Bunk strives to make sandwiches that are simultaneously innovative, filling, and just indisputably yummy. The pork belly Cubano remains one of the restaurant's signature dishes.

It seems that there's a consensus, as Grub Street concludes that the unique approach that Bunk takes to sandwich making pays off incredibly well. The sandwich features unique and rich cuts of pork from both the belly and hindquarters. Swiss cheese melts in between the layers of meat in this pressed sandwich, and pickles provide a good shock of tang. Mustard and a decent amount of hot sauce seal the deal and invite the customer to go ahead and dig in. The review concludes that the sandwich walks a perfect tightrope of experimentation while staying true to the elements that have made Cubanos so popular for so many.

A clam shack may not seem like a romantic getaway, but in this world, anything's possible. Rhode Island Tour astutely observes that you're never really that far from the ocean when in the country's tiniest state, and at Flo's Drive-In you're practically floating in it! There's something comforting about looking at the water where, at least theoretically, your meal has been sourced from. The Rhode Island tourism site notes that, unlike other restaurants, Flo's really delves into the specificities and uniqueness of this tiny state's cuisine. The site even goes so far as to say that the clam shack is emblematic of the state's identity: laid-back, independent, and willing to work with what's at hand.

That has to at least be part of the reasoning why "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"  listed the low-key shack's fried clam roll as some of the best eating that the country has to offer. On Tripadvisor, one diner notes that despite the adversities of the last couple of years, the fried clams at this shack are just as yummy as ever. The shack couldn't keep these bad boys a secret for long, and to this day they remain a popular hit among locals and travelers alike. So make sure to come with a little patience and know that soon enough you'll be eating a local delicacy while breathing in the salty sea air of Rhode Island.

"The Best Thing I Ever Ate" tends to shy away from plant-based dishes. Often the show's meals feature some form of animal product. This is a bit of shame, given the rise of plant-based eating. Surely, some of the best foods are bound to be vegan-friendly at this point in time. Thankfully, A Single Pebble of Vermont does provide a vegan-friendly option on this list. 

According to the restaurant's site, the Burlington-based eatery takes inspiration from Chinese cuisine in dishes, philosophy, and atmosphere. Ultimately, the meal should leave patrons feeling full and inspired. Which seems like a tall order for a dinner, but if there's anywhere to do that, it's A Single Pebble.

It's with this bold approach and these lofty goals that the restaurant serves up its mock eel. You may have to do a double take when looking at the dish. It looks like a pile of tentacles drenched in ink. But, as clarified in a Facebook post from the restaurant, the dish is made from shiitake mushrooms that give the dish a seafood-like texture and a scallion-infused soy sauce to give it the perfect taste. For vegetarians missing seafood, or for those who would like to experience an old favorite in a new way, A Single Pebble delivers magnificently.

For many pizza is a serious passion, so what better place to find some seriously good eats than Serious Pie of Seattle? The pizza aficionado site Pizza Today praises the Washingtonian pie place as where every chef who wants to make the most perfect pizza trains. As the pizza site outlines, the restaurant believes that a great pizza starts at the base with a good crust. Everything else should build on this solid structure. It only takes one bite of this pie to know that the restaurant's philosophy checks out.

"The Best Thing I Ever Ate" selected an extremely indulgent item from the adventurous restaurant's menu, naming the chanterelle truffle cheese pizza as the cream of the crop. Truffles have long been a prized ingredient, and for good reason. They're certainly a welcome addition for most people. But truffles need a partner to really bring the best out of them. The roasted chanterelle mushrooms, which pair nicely with the truffles, serve this purpose perfectly. This is an elegant, and indulgent, take on the classic mushroom pizza. 

As one review notes, this pizza is a full experience. The review touches on how wonderful the pizza's crust is and how this brings out the best of wonderfully selected ingredients. This is a pizza that's up front about what it is, and it's all good.