Major cities like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles tend to be the default response when travelers are looking for “the best” of something, and that extends to the culinary scene too. Admittedly, these metropolises attract many world-class chefs who have mastered the fusion of local flavors, though this shouldn’t discredit the tasty offerings found in other domestic destinations. For the open-minded and adventurous eaters, consider visiting these U.S. cities for a delightful, albeit unexpected, culinary experience.
Pueblo, Colorado
Good For: Mexican cuisine and unique mom-and-pop creations
Situated a little over 100 miles south of Denver, the lively city of Pueblo, Colorado, is a cultural melting pot. Immigrants from far and wide came to Pueblo in the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in the steel mills, meaning travelers will find traces of Slovenian, Italian, Mexican and German influences in the local dishes.
In particular, Pueblo is best known for its green chile, both the hot pepper and the pork stew made with it. One of the city’s classic offerings is the “slopper,” which is described as an open-faced hamburger smothered in the flavorful green pepper. Gray’s Coors Tavern is one of two spots in Pueblo most frequently credited with the dish’s creation, so visitors interested in trying the meal should check out the historic bar.
Additionally, two mom-and-pop shops pioneered some distinct offerings that have almost become synonymous with the city. The Pass Key Special, found at Pass Key Restaurant, is a well-known sandwich consisting of two square, spicy Italian sausage patties on a bun, topped with mustard, lettuce and a choice of American, Swiss or provolone cheese. If sandwiches aren’t in the culinary cards, sweet crust pizza at Do Drop Inn might be. In desperate need of an original pizza recipe, the owner sought inspiration from the beloved baked bread used for communion. As a result, the crust is thick and medium-sweet, offering a fun twist to the traditionally savory dish.
Asheville, North Carolina
Good For: Appalachian traditions blended with Southern comforts
Heavily influenced by its geographic location, Asheville’s top foods are an eclectic blend of evolving flavors and home classics. Travelers will find hints of the South in meals like buttermilk chicken, redneck pot pie (a take on the classic pot pie, this one is filled with barbeque chicken and cheesy grits), fried green tomatoes, biscuits and shrimp and grits. True to its Appalachian heritage, other popular food choices include cornbread, beans, country ham and apple butter. Wild ramps, a type of wild allium related to spring onions, accompany many of the traditional dishes, in addition to sorghum, a cereal grain often served as a syrup in Asheville. Both Southern and Appalachian influences can be found in another comfort meal, Brunswick stew, which consists of chicken or pork, tomatoes, beans and other vegetables.
The best part about the culinary scene in the city is that restaurants and chefs utilize a farm-to-table approach, meaning that they often partner with local farms to source their ingredients. Not only are the grains, meat and vegetables extremely fresh and flavorful as a result, but menus often change to reflect the seasonal crops, giving visitors something new to try with each trip.
Detroit, Michigan
Good For: Middle Eastern classics and Southern soul food
Maybe not what one would expect from Detroit, but the city has a large population of Arab Americans, which translates into Lebanese, Yemeni, Syrian and Palestinian food offerings galore. There aren’t specific Middle Eastern dishes unique to Detroit that travelers need to try, but rather restaurants such as Al-Ameer, Yemen Café, Al Sultan and Habib’s Cuisine come highly recommended by locals for authentic and delicious cuisine.
Aside from the international influence, coneys should be on every visitor’s itinerary. A different take on the American classic, a coney is a beef hot dog topped with chili, chopped raw onion and yellow mustard. Travelers might notice that the term “coney” refers to the actual hot dog itself, while “coney islands” are Greek American restaurants that serve the food, along with gyros, Greek salad and cheeseburgers.
Family-owned eateries are also in abundance in Detroit, and these spots are where visitors can find soul food like turkey wings, mac and cheese, ham hocks and collard greens. And, of course, if foodies are coming to chow down on local cuisine, it’s only right to mention Detroit-style pizza. Square, baked in a pan and with a distinct, crisp crust, at least giving this version a taste is a rite of passage.
Houston, Texas
Good For: Tex-Mex and Vietnamese-Cajun dishes
It likely comes as no surprise that Houston is ideal for some delicious Tex-Mex — fajitas, tacos, tamales and everything in between. However, this dynamic city is also an underrated destination for Vietnamese-Cajun meals. It may sound like an interesting blend, but the combination of Vietnamese flavors in the fresh herbs and spices with bold Cajun seasonings like cayenne and paprika makes for some otherworldly dishes.
As a result, Viet-Cajun crawfish is the meal visitors need to sample when exploring Houston. The famed restaurant, Crawfish & Noodles, comes highly recommended for this delicacy. Along those same lines, seafood boils are also popular in this city. Here, the crawfish are tossed in Cajun seasoning and a garlic butter sauce, sometimes also prepared with a dash of Thai basil, habanero or lemongrass. Travelers may find that their boils come with a side of boudin egg rolls, another mash-up between the Vietnamese cha gio and Cajun boudin sausage. Of course, other traditional Vietnamese meals, like pho and banh mi, make frequent appearances on menus as well, and those shouldn’t be overlooked either.
Tucson, Arizona
Good For: Sonoran cuisine
Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and for good reason. The desertous city is famed for its Sonoran cuisine, a fusion of Mexican and Native American traditions with Spanish influence. Its dishes are known for having a savory and earthy flavor, relying heavily on spices and herbs like oregano, cumin and cilantro.
One of the most well-known meals in Tucson is the Sonoran hot dog. The meat is wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, chopped tomatoes, grilled onions, mustard and mayo to create the ultimate loaded hot dog. It may not be a Michelin star food item, but it’s worth a try, nonetheless. Other Sonoran dishes to seek out include chimichangas, machaca (shredded beef served with eggs, beans and tortillas) and carne seca (seasoned dried beef found in tacos, burritos, etc.).
However, it wouldn’t be a successful trip to Tucson if travelers didn’t get their hands on some prickly pear. The cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert, and it’s also edible, boasting a sweet and partially tart flavor. Restaurants in the city have gotten creative in how they incorporate the taste into their menu, with prickly pear appearing as margarita flavors, sauces, desserts, beer and more.
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