Serious Eats is continuing their hunt to find the favorite foods in all 50 states. First it was the Northeast region, then the Southwest, then the Midwest, and now the South!


Louisiana: GUMBO

There's perhaps no dish that quite so perfectly encapsulates this state like gumbo. Although popular in other states, this is the meaty dish's hometown, and it's frequently touted as a culinary realization of the state's melting pot culture. Claiming French, Spanish, native American, and Italian influences, the stew incorporates an even wider range of ingredients: traditionally okra, poultry, shellfish, smoked pork, andouille, celery, bell pepper, and onion. Gumbo itself can be prepared in the Creole or Cajun styles-the former leaning more on French tradition, the latter more heavily spiced and redolent of rural cooking.


North Carolina: BARBECUED PORK SANDWICHES


While eating all portions of the pig recently has come into vogue, North Carolina has been ahead of the curve. With hog farming the

The folks at Serious Eats are starting a series on the best foods in all 50 states. First we did the Northeast region, and now it's time for the Southwest.





California: BURRITO
Ask any Californian what food their state does best, and 99.9% of the time, the answer will be "Duh, Mexican food." Partly due to the strong Mexican influence and partly due to California's incredible produce, the Mexican food in this state is hard to rival. And while you can find great Mexican eats in much of the Southwest, California has put its distinct stamp on the burrito. Most famous (and popularized by national eateries like Chipotle or Qdoba) is the Mission-style burrito born in San Francisco: a large flour tortilla tightly envelops Spanish rice, beans, salsa, and often fresh avocado (or guacamole), cheese, sour cream, and your choice of a tasty meat filling (ranging from stewed or grilled chicken to steak, to pork, to beef tongue). Down in Los Angeles, they specialize in the Breakfast burrito: