When you order takeout, how aligned with the rest of your state are you? A recent study by home goods brand Hastha Kalalu used TripAdvisor search data to determine the most popular takeout dishes in every state.
Curious what they found? Here’s what the report had to say.
1. Chicken Parmesan
Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming
As one of my favorite dishes on the planet, nothing about chicken parm being the number one choice feels strange to me; I even ranked it the best sandwich there is. These 11 states get it.
2. Bang Bang Shrimp
Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska
Crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, garlicky, sweet, and spicy sauce never fails. I hope the good people of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Nebraska aren’t too far from their bang bang spot, because you want to eat these puppies hot.
3. Buffalo Cauliflower
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Hell of a rebrand cauliflower’s had these last 10 years, don’t you think? The popular veggie version of Buffalo wings are big in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; but not in, you know, Buffalo.
4. Burritos
Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma
It’s interesting to me that burritos aren’t the most-ordered thing on the list, especially considering Chipotle’s dominant run of the delivery world.
5. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Colorado, Texas, Wisconsin
Not just any old chicken sandwich, mind you. Colorado, Texas, and Wisconsin are only interested in the Buffalo variety.
Trending on Cheapism
6. Baby Back Ribs
Massachusetts, Washington
If you don’t hear the Chili’s song in your head when you read those words, we’re very different people. Interesting that two seaside states are searching for Southern barbecue; I guess there’s only so much clam chowder you can order.
7. Spicy Tuna Roll
New Jersey, Pennsylvania
The northeast has its eye on sushi, where they’re jamming spicy tuna rolls down by the Jersey Shore, and over in the Keystone State.
8. Nachos
Indiana, Tennessee
This is a dish I’m not sure would survive the delivery, but maybe if you’ve got your oven pre-heated, these things have a fighting chance at resurrection.
Sign up for our newsletter
9. Poke Bowls
Delaware, Hawaii
For such a popular, semi-affordable, and semi-healthy lunch, it’s surprising more states aren’t in on this. Poke is lightyears better in Hawaii than the chain shops we do on the mainland, so it makes sense to see it popping off on the islands.
10. Detox Juice
Georgia, Idaho
Damn, people must be going pretty hard all the time in Georgia and Idaho if detox juice is the number one thing the locals are searching for. Not sure I’d call this a takeout “dish” but what do I know? Just wait til you get to Mississippi.
11. Cauliflower Rice Bowls
Florida
Cauliflower rice bowls don’t exactly come to mind when you think about Florida, but who am I to argue with TripAdvisor data? Then again, how does TripAdvisor know what people are ordering for takeout?
12. Shawarma
California
Love shawarma. Can’t believe less people want to order it as a casual delivery meal than they do baby back ribs. California gets it, seemingly alone.
13. Miso Ramen
New York
There are few states to eat better ramen in, so no mystery here. Soup is an all-timer when it comes to takeout food, and suits itself well to a quick zap in the microwave to heat up again. You’re not gonna get that kind of simple luxury with something fried.
14. Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit
North Carolina
This is a puzzling choice for North Carolina, but biscuits are big in the south so there’s some tangential connections to reason.
15. Pad Thai
Alaska
How is this not more popular? Pad Thai is one of the first things I think of when I think of takeout. Apparently nobody wants it except those living on the edge of the Last Frontier.
16. Macaroni Cheeseburgers
Virginia
A Google search for “Macaroni Cheeseburgers” brought me to a dish called cheeseburger macaroni, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a lot less confusing when you put it in that order. That said, this kind of ground-beef-pasta-bake dish feels a lot more like something you’d make at home to feed the family, not something you’d get delivered. Looks like it’s time to go hit the cheeseburger macaroni restaurants in Virginia.
17. Fried Brussels Sprouts
Missouri
There’s no way these will be crispy or hot by the time they get to your place. Eat these at the bar where they belong.
18. Pizza
Connecticut
Connecticut is the only state that likes pizza the best for delivery? How could that possibly be true? People from Connecticut claim they are the true pizza kings, so maybe all the proof for that is right here in this data.
19. Tacos
Illinois
The same amount of states are ordering tacos as they are the fictional dish of macaroni cheeseburgers? Granted, I know they’re best fresh in front of the truck, but for one of the most popular foods in the country, it’s crazy to see only one state prefer tacos.
20. Baklava
Maine
They’re loving dessert delivery in Maine, where people are finishing off their lobster rolls and moving on to some sweet, sticky baklava.
21. Truffle Fries
Nevada
If you have an air fryer, it’s never a big deal to order fries for delivery. If you don’t, please don’t attempt to reheat these in the microwave.
22. Chicken and Waffles
Michigan
This is another thing that’s great when it’s fresh and crispy, and not so great when it’s not. If you’re one of the Michiganders that can’t stop ordering chicken and waffles, put your air fryer to work once again for this one.
23. Jalapeños
Mississippi
Just jalepeños, eh? Quite the takeout dish. Nothing like relaxing after a long day by ordering some jalapeños for delivery. Take this data with many, many handfuls of salt.
24. Chicken Tikka Masala
Utah
Much like pad Thai, I would have guessed chicken tikka masala’s ranking as a takeout classic a lot higher. And of all places, Utah?
25. Breakfast Burritos
New Mexico
Using a delivery app in the a.m. is a special kind of luxury. Good on you, New Mexico.
26. Bacon Cheeseburgers
South Dakota
Besides the fictional macaroni cheeseburger, how is this the only burger on the list? More people are ordering detox juice for delivery than a cheeseburger? The world is a strange place.
For more fascinating (and bewildering) food trivia, sign up for our newsletter.
