Conch fritters in Key West
Hope someone is bringing Philly cheese steaks! Wit whiz!
And that someone else brings lobster rolls.
^^Aren’t we supposed to be talking about local specialties that other people might NOT like?
How do people feel about whoopie pies and Needhams?
Toasted ravioli in St. Louis. Which are actually fried, not toasted.
Poutine in Canada. Don’t get that one at all.
LOOOVE poutine. Also virtually every version of meat pie and pastie. Except for steak and kidney: can’t do the kidney.
Pierogi - when we lived in Buffalo - never cared for it. I see them everywhere now in all kinds of flavors!
My aunt’s home-made whoopie pies are one thing. And yes I do have her recipe. What is labelled whoopie pie and sold at a supermarket is another.
Food you should eat in Iowa: pork tenderloin sandwich. Culver’s fast food restaurants have a decent simulacrum, but the good ones are found in tiny local restaurants.
What are needhams? Never heard of it. Whoopie pies I can take or leave, mostly leave, they are so sweet.
Although my original post was things you like that others might not, I’m really enjoying hearing about regional food specialties.
It’s funny that I don’t think about some foods being regional. Like Vernor’s, it’s always been around so I forget that you can’t get it many places.
I think that when you move to another area, one of things you miss is the food you can get there.
Also love poutine, but know plenty who won’t try it.
New York bagels and New York pizza.
From San Diego: California or “Cali” burritos (the original with French fries from Lolita’s taco shop). Fish tacos from Rubios. Street corn (aka Elote…anyone remember Nacho Libre?). No place does Mexican like San Diego/SoCal taco shops, not even Mexico, lol. That’s usually my first stop when I come back from vacation…a taco shop!
- Like Vernor’s, it’s always been around so I forget that you can’t get it many places*
I left Michigan in my twenties and only go back to visit family. Every time I visit, I try to take home a case of Vernor’s. You can’t get it in Massachusetts–there’s really nothing like it here.
I was introduced to Vernor’s by my late MIL when I first visited Michigan back in the 80s. I thought it was wonderful. When I had it after they were sold to one of the big companies, I thought that it had lost some of its extreme gingeriness and become blander. My imagination?
Needhams are a candy made with potato and shredded coconut, dipped in chocolate. Believe it or not, it was/is common for those who make them to add paraffin to the chocolate so as not to have to temper it. I am not a fan.
Re pierogies: I’ve never met a dumpling/potsticker/gyoza/ravioli/wonton/blintz/you get the picture I didn’t like. 
If I can get the kid to send me some toasted raviolis, a few bottles of Fitz’s root beer, a gooey butter cake, and some Bissingers chocolate, that works for me.
So many ethnic HI dishes from so many different cultures. I like most of them including Hawaiian food: poi, lomi salmon, laulau, squid luau, haupia, opihi, poke, pipikaula, kalua pork cabbage and so much more. Love most ethnic foods I have tried.
You can tell my heart is still in Michigan where i grew up - all I can think of is Vernor’s and the meat pasties. And yeah, Faygo. 
In Northern Ohio…I can’t think so much! Buckeyes? (round peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate) Locally Tony Packo’s (Hungarian hot dogs and canned hot/sweet peppers??) - made famous by Klinger on MASH.
No Provel cheese?
Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay seasoning
@happymomof1 - The pork tenderloins are also popular in north central Illinois where I grew up. Fried chicken is also big. There is a certain way of cooking it in batter (and grease!) that makes it taste unique. It’s usually cooked in taverns.
Speaking of taverns or bars, and again, NJ: pickled eggs, the kind tinted pink by beet juice. I can’t find any recipe even close to that.