How to find mouthwatering regional cuisines, a multi-part series.

A collaboration with Say Insurance
Written by Anthony St. Clair on October 27, 2020

Whether across the state or across the country, a road trip is a great way to explore America’s diverse local food options. Want to plan a foodie road trip? We’ll get you started with some general tips and mouth-watering, must-try regional cuisines.

How to find the best local cuisine in any destination

Wherever you’re going, you can get insights on that area’s most delicious dishes before you even hit the road. Here’s how.

• Search the destination on popular food authorities
  Take a look at Eater, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Roads & Kingdoms, and Curiosity Magazine.
• Download a local eats app
  Many food destinations have apps dedicated to street food, fine dining, locavore, and more for their area, which is especially useful if you’re trying to avoid tourist traps. Start with Localfu and LocalEats. From there, seek out area-specific apps.
• Search Instagram and Pinterest
  Food hashtags and destination-focused Pinboards help you load up on food ideas before you even get in the car.
• Consider online reviews, but talk with locals on the ground before you decide
  Reviews on Yelp and Travel Advisor can be useful, but are often written by tourists — not locals. Sometimes it’s better to get to know someone at your destination who you can trust for dining advice.
• Visit a farmer’s market and ask for recommendations
  It doesn’t get more local than a farmer’s market! Not only do farms sell at public markets, they supply area eateries and can give great grub advice.
• Invite yourself to dinner
  Connect with home cooks, chefs, cooking classes, and more all over the world, thanks to apps and services such as ChefsFeed, EatWith, and Traveling Spoon.
• Book a food tour
  Trust a local’s expertise and let someone else take care of the details. Whether walking, biking, or busing, a food tour lets you get a taste of where you travel without the sometimes arduous planning.

America has 49 road-trippable continental states, nearly 20,000 cities, villages, and towns, and countless hidden-away spots and holes in the wall. There’s more culinary diversity, local treats, and special delicacies than any person could experience in a lifetime. Still, it helps to have a jumping-off point for your dining adventures. Here are our top suggestions for must-try foods in the country’s main continental regions.

Don’t Miss These Mouthwatering Regional Cuisines

Infographic by Say Insurance

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