One of the best things about traveling, whether it’s domestic or international travel, is exploring all of the different kinds of food that a city is known for. The food that represents a city represents the culture and the people of that city, and locals to these places take great pride in the food that comes from their hometown. Each city, state, and country is known for different kinds of food, so traveling around and experiencing the local food of every different place is one of the best ways to really get an idea for the culture in that place. So, what are the best U.S. cities to travel to with the most delicious foods?
San Francisco, California
San Fransisco is known to be the startup capital of the country, but creativity and innovation do not just end in the office. There are plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants scattered around San Fransisco in addition to all of the farmer’s markets and small family-owned local restaurants. One of the best food halls in the entire country, the Ferry Building Marketplace, is located in San Fransisco. If you plan to go here, though, make sure not to go during the huge lunch rush, otherwise you’ll definitely be waiting in line for a while! San Fran is also famous for its clam chowder and sourdough bread, so be sure not to miss out on getting that at Boudin Bakery.
New Orleans, Louisiana
NoLa is famous for serving up an incredible dish of gumbo, jambalaya, or po’boys, but they are also known for more than that. The most amazing part of every meal in New Orleans is the fact that the NoLa culture is tasted in every bite you take. If you didn’t know this, New Orleans has a very strong European presence and history, which is part of the reason why every meal is treated like the most special one; that’s one of the beautiful things that Europeans believe in with family meals. Whether you’re looking for a mouth-watering cajun dish or some beignets, New Orleans will be an amazing food experience for you.
Chicago, Illinois
Truly, Chicago can’t just be pinpointed to be famous for one thing. It exceeds all expectations with pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, Italian beef… really, you name it, Chicago outdoes every other city in it. Whether you choose to eat deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s is your choice, but either way, your stomach will be full and happier than ever before. There are Garrett’s Popcorn locations scattered all over the city and in the airport, so there’s no reason to miss out on getting yourself a tin of Chicago Mix popcorn, which is cheese and butter flavors mixed together. Hotdogs from the famous Portillo’s will never disappoint, and Italian beef can be found in Little Italy at an authentic restaurant. Chicago is the culinary capital of the midwest, and you’ll need a week just to eat all of the amazing food from award-winning restaurants in the Windy City.