Counting the ballots…
Counting the ballots…
The Official State Dish Registry is the national record of the dish that best represents each of the 50 states, as chosen by the American public. An official program of the United States Semiquincentennial, established in partnership with America250.
Each state's ballot was developed by cross-referencing regional cookbooks, state historical societies, dishes recognized by state legislators over the years, and foods widely understood as state icons. Every shortlist had to pass a simple test: would a local cosign this?
Pick the dish you think deserves the title. You can vote once in every state. Don't see a classic? Write it in, and we'll count it toward that state's tally.
Voting closes 11:59 PM ET on November 1, 2026. Final designations will be entered into the Official State Dish Registry as a permanent record of the dish each state chose to represent it. Email subscribers see them first.
Public votes are the primary signal, and a curatorial council of regional food writers, historians, and culinary professionals will review all results. Joe Ariel, Official Food Curator, United States Semiquincentennial, certifies the final designations before they're entered into the National Food Registry, bringing 25 years of experience championing the dishes that define American food culture as Founder & CEO of Goldbelly. This keeps public preference at the heart of the process while protecting the registry from coordinated voting campaigns. This is an independent recognition project, not affiliated with any state government.
“As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, food offers a powerful way to bring people together and tell the story of our nation. We will invite Americans in all 50 states to nominate the dish that best represents their state, culminating in the first-ever Official State Dish Registry, a permanent record of the foods that define each state's identity. Joe Ariel and Goldbelly have spent over a decade preserving and elevating the dishes and traditions that define American culture. There is no one better positioned to lead this effort.”