The best food is found in California, according to new research.<\/p>\n
A survey of 5,000 Americans split evenly by state explored sentiments about homemade dishes nationwide, finding that New York, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida rounded out the top five states ranked on best cuisine.<\/p>\n
And above all, Louisianans know they\u2019ve got it, expressing the most confidence in their state having the best cuisine (94%).<\/p>\n
On the other hand, several states left respondents unimpressed with their cuisine: Delaware, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.<\/p>\n
Respondents were asked to choose a flavor or dish that best represents their state; some stayed iconic like New York\u2019s pizza, California\u2019s authentic Mexican food, and Texas\u2019s barbecue.<\/p>\n
The best food is found in California, according to new research. Talker Research \/ SWNS<\/p>\n
On the other hand, some of the states proved to be culinary geniuses in their own right, with New Hampshire boasting its apple cider donuts. Respondents from Utah took pride in their love for \u201cfry sauce,\u201d and Ohio residents ecstatically trademark their \u201cbuckeyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Americans have spoken about where their favorite cuisine is found, perhaps the best cooks come from hidden gems like Montana (77%) and Wyoming (76%), as these states have the highest average of better-quality homemade meals than purchased ones.<\/p>\n
Conducted by Talker Research for HelloFresh, the survey found that food is forefront for many, which is why Americans are making it a high priority to create and uphold traditions of cooking with their loved ones in 2026 (37%).<\/p>\n
The survey found that food is forefront for many, which is why Americans are making it a high priority to create and uphold traditions of cooking with their loved ones in 2026 Talker Research \/ SWNS<\/p>\n
Thinking about the flavors of their state, 69% feel a sense of pride when preparing traditional recipes. These are so near and dear to respondents that 53% make an effort to record or document traditional recipes.<\/p>\n
In fact, six in 10 said 2026 will be the \u201cyear of the kitchen\u201d for them (62%), especially those from New York (76%), South Carolina (73%), and Alabama (72%).<\/p>\n
For half of the respondents, that means prioritizing traditions of eating with their loved ones in 2026 (52%).<\/p>\n
Currently, the average American cooks 12 meals at home a week: three breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners.<\/p>\n
Six in 10 said 2026 will be the \u201cyear of the kitchen\u201d for them, especially those from New York, South Carolina, and Alabama. Talker Research \/ SWNS<\/p>\n
Of these meals, the average person cooks just two meals a week with others, and eats only four of them with others.<\/p>\n
Looking at time spent in the kitchen, the average American spends about 67 minutes a day at the stove \u2014 nearly 410 hours a year, or about 17 days.<\/p>\n
Although they take time and effort, meals are rarely enjoyed for all that goes into them. Thirty percent of Americans rarely or never have breakfast undistracted, with a similar percentage saying the same about lunch (28%) and dinner (21%).<\/p>\n
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Of all the states, Minnesotans are least likely to have distraction-free meals, while respondents in New York focus the most on their meals.<\/p>\n
New Yorkers also spend the most time eating (52 minutes a day), and those from Arkansas eat the fastest (41 minutes a day).<\/p>\n
\u201cFood has always been about more than just sustenance \u2014 it\u2019s how we connect, share stories and pass down traditions,\u201d said Michelle Doll Olson, Senior Manager, Culinary Development at HelloFresh US. \u201cFrom California shrimp tacos and Minnesota Juicy Lucy, to Louisiana gumbo and New York bagels, the dishes that define each state carry generations of family memories and cultural pride.<\/p>\n
Thirty percent of Americans rarely or never have breakfast undistracted, with a similar percentage saying the same about lunch (28%) and dinner (21%). Talker Research \/ SWNS<\/p>\n
\u201cOur survey shows that Americans are returning to the kitchen not just to cook, but to create moments of togetherness, preserve recipes, and enjoy the comfort of home-cooked meals with loved ones. In 2026, the kitchen is truly becoming a place where connection and tradition come alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Dish\/Flavor Best Represents your State?<\/p>\n
Alabama: \u201cbanana pudding,\u201d \u201cpinto beans and cornbread\u201d<\/p>\n
Alaska: \u201cseafood,\u201d \u201cmuktuk\u201d<\/p>\n
Arizona: \u201cMexican cuisine,\u201d \u201cSonoran hot dogs\u201d<\/p>\n
Arkansas: \u201ccatfish,\u201d \u201ccountry fried chicken\u201d<\/p>\n
California: \u201cMexican food,\u201d \u201cburgers,\u201d \u201cshrimp tacos\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado: \u201cgreen chili on anything,\u201d \u201cRocky Mountain oysters\u201d<\/p>\n
Connecticut: \u201cclam chowder,\u201d \u201cpizza\u201d<\/p>\n
Delaware: \u201cscrapple,\u201d \u201cBengali cuisine\u201d<\/p>\n
Florida: \u201cseafood,\u201d \u201ckey lime pie,\u201d \u201cfresh orange juice\u201d<\/p>\n
Georgia: \u201cpeach cobbler,\u201d \u201cseafood boils\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawaii: \u201claulau,\u201d \u201cpoke,\u201d \u201cloco moco\u201d<\/p>\n
Idaho: \u201cpotatoes\u201d<\/p>\n
Illinois: \u201cdeep dish pizza,\u201d \u201cChicago-style hot dogs\u201d<\/p>\n
Indiana: \u201ccorn,\u201d \u201cpork tenderloin sandwich\u201d<\/p>\n
Iowa: \u201ccorn,\u201d \u201cpork chops\u201d<\/p>\n
Kansas: \u201cbarbecue,\u201d \u201csteak,\u201d \u201cchili with cinnamon rolls\u201d<\/p>\n
Kentucky: \u201cfried chicken\u201d<\/p>\n
Louisiana: \u201ccrawfish,\u201d \u201cCajun cuisine,\u201d \u201cgumbo\u201d<\/p>\n
Maine: \u201clobster\u201d<\/p>\n
Maryland: \u201ccrab cakes\u201d<\/p>\n
Massachusetts: \u201cclam chowder,\u201d \u201cseafood\u201d<\/p>\n
Michigan: \u201ccherry pie,\u201d \u201cConey Island dogs\u201d<\/p>\n
Minnesota: \u201cjuicy Lucy,\u201d \u201ctater tot hotdish,\u201d \u201cwalleye\u201d<\/p>\n
Mississippi: \u201cfried catfish,\u201d \u201csoul food\u201d<\/p>\n
Missouri: \u201cbarbecue\u201d<\/p>\n
Montana: \u201csteak,\u201d \u201cwild game,\u201d \u201chuckleberry\u201d<\/p>\n
Nebraska: \u201cRunza sandwiches\u201d<\/p>\n
Nevada: \u201cbuffets,\u201d \u201cMexican\u201d<\/p>\n
New Hampshire: \u201cseafood,\u201d \u201capple cider donuts\u201d<\/p>\n
A survey of 5,000 Americans split evenly by state explored sentiments about homemade dishes nationwide, finding that New York, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida rounded out the top five states ranked on best cuisine. Talker Research \/ SWNS<\/p>\n
New Jersey: \u201cItalian food,\u201d \u201cpizza,\u201d \u201cTaylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich\u201d<\/p>\n
New Mexico: \u201cgreen chilis,\u201d \u201cenchiladas\u201d<\/p>\n
New York: \u201cpizza,\u201d \u201cbagel and cream cheese\u201d<\/p>\n
North Carolina: \u201cbarbecue,\u201d \u201cknoephla soup\u201d<\/p>\n
Ohio: \u201cbuckeyes\u201d<\/p>\n
Oklahoma: \u201cchicken fried steak,\u201d \u201ccomfort food\u201d<\/p>\n
Oregon: \u201csalmon,\u201d \u201cmarionberry pie\u201d<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania: \u201cpierogies,\u201d \u201ccheesesteaks\u201d<\/p>\n
Rhode Island: \u201cseafood,\u201d \u201cclam cakes,\u201d \u201cchowder\u201d<\/p>\n
South Carolina: \u201csoul food\u201d<\/p>\n
South Dakota: \u201cfry bread\u201d<\/p>\n
Tennessee: \u201cbarbecue\u201d<\/p>\n
Texas: \u201cTex Mex,\u201d \u201cbarbecue\u201d<\/p>\n
Utah: \u201cJello salad,\u201d \u201cfry sauce,\u201d \u201cfuneral potatoes\u201d<\/p>\n
Vermont: \u201cpancakes with maple syrup,\u201d \u201cmac and cheese\u201d<\/p>\n
Virginia: \u201cham\u201d<\/p>\n
Washington: \u201capples,\u201d \u201csalmon\u201d<\/p>\n
West Virginia: \u201cpepperoni rolls\u201d<\/p>\n
Wisconsin: \u201ccheese,\u201d \u201cfish fry\u201d<\/p>\n
Wyoming: \u201csteak\u201d<\/p>\n
Research methodology:<\/p>\n
Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans evenly split by state who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by HelloFresh and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Nov. 17 and Nov. 25, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The best food is found in California, according to new research. A survey of 5,000 Americans split evenly…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":100195,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[2136,3640,2474,232,1775,9,24,55,54,56,7782,32545,1777,901],"class_list":{"0":"post-100194","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-city","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-florida","10":"tag-food-trends","11":"tag-lifestyle","12":"tag-louisiana","13":"tag-new-york","14":"tag-new-york-city","15":"tag-new-york-city-headlines","16":"tag-new-york-city-news","17":"tag-ny","18":"tag-polls","19":"tag-surveys","20":"tag-texas","21":"tag-united-states"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}