By Gail Marsh
Growing up in the Midwest, food was just, well, food. Now that I’m older I’ve come to appreciate that there are specific foods connected to individual Midwest states, and they are all delicious! If you plan to travel and like to eat, you should check out these iconic Midwest foods.
North Dakota knoephla
Knoephla is a miniature German dumpling. It’s often combined with potatoes/pasta, vegetables, and chicken to form a thick stew. You can order knoephla in many North Dakota restaurants as well as in the state’s neighbors to the south and east. This is real comfort food, especially enjoyed on a cold Dakota night!
Nebraska runza
This popular food became the signature offering and namesake of the popular Runza® franchises, but runzas originated in the Midwest state of Nebraska. Much like a hot pocket, a runza is filled with loose meat, cheese, and a variety of additional ingredients, like bacon, vegetables, and more. It’s so good!
Minneapolis Jucy Lucy
No, that’s not a typo. And this is not a cheeseburger! Even though this sandwich includes two well-cooked burgers, the cheese is placed in between the meat, not on the top. Two restaurants in Minneapolis claim to have invented this yummy sandwich. One spells it “Juicy” and the other, “Jucy.” Either way, it’s the cutest name for a burger in all of the Midwest, and it’s delicious.
Wisconsin cheese curds
“They’re not fresh unless they squeak.” I’m talking about cheese curds. With a similar firmness and density as cheese, but a bit more springy or rubbery, fresh curds will squeak when you bite into them. These little bits of heaven are often flavored with garlic, dill, and/or other spices. They can be eaten as a snack or served with smoked sausage or pork. If you’re lucky, you might get breaded, deep-fried cheese curds at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Chicago pizza
Deep-dish pizza is synonymous with Chicago. Most restaurants top their thick, crisp, buttery-flavored crust with a chunky tomato sauce and a heaping helping of mozzarella cheese, along with your desired toppings. It’s so good!
Iowa Maid-Rite
In 1926, Frank Angell, an Iowa butcher, added secret seasonings to the ground beef he was cooking. Frank then put the seasoned beef into a bun and gave it to his delivery man. According to the delivery man, Frank’s sandwich tasted so good because it was “made right.” This complimentary pronouncement stuck and the sandwich, Maid-Rite, was born. You can still enjoy an original Maid-Rite sandwich at one of the franchises in Iowa today.
St. Louis Toasted Ravioli
“T-ravs”, or toasted ravioli, is said to have originated because a restaurant worker accidentally dropped ravioli into hot oil instead of boiling water. The chef is said to have dusted the deep-fried packets with parmesan cheese and sent them out to patrons enjoying drinks at the bar. Toasted ravioli was an instant hit, and today’s versions are much the same as the originals. “T-ravs” are often filled with parmesan cheese and spices, then breaded, deep fried, and served with marinara dipping sauce.
Kentucky Hot Browns
A chef at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, created the Hot Brown. This yummy feast begins with a slice of Texas toast (or several slices of white bread). The bread is topped with several slices of Roma tomatoes and thick-cut roast turkey breast. A mornay sauce is poured all over the top and the dish is heated in the oven. When hot and bubbly, strips of bacon along with a sprinkle of paprika and fresh parsley are added. It’s a “must try” when in Kentucky.
Indiana sugar cream pie
This official state pie of Indiana is also the official pie of the Colts! The pie crust is filled with a custard-like vanilla filling and dusted with cinnamon. Several variations of this Hoosier pie can be found throughout Indiana. Warning: This is highly addictive!
Ohio Buckeyes
The Buckeye State’s famous candy treat closely resembles the poisonous nut that falls from the Ohio Buckeye tree. Unlike its namesake, there’s nothing bad about this candy, unless you eat too many! Ohio buckeye candy is a peanut butter fudge ball partially dipped into dark chocolate so that it resembles a buckeye. They are so delicious, I dare you to eat just one!
Michigan pastie
If you’ve visited the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, you’ve probably heard about the pastie (pronounced “pah-stee”). Its delicious pastry shell is filled with beef and root vegetables and can be dipped in gravy or sometimes ketchup. Check out the Pasty Guy’s article here and plan a Pasty Trail vacation! You’ll see magnificent sights and enjoy iconic pasties all along your way.
I know, I know! I’ve undoubtedly missed one (or more) of your favorite Midwest iconic foods. Why don’t you add your top pick in the comments below?
O.K. now you’ve done it, I want pizza and I want it now!
We had a Tavern in Ballard-Fremont, “Harveys”, Audrey made the best I’m thinking Chicago style pies.
The last few nights before closing, lines down the block. My sis and I got a couple to go after chowing down on one.
We put them in our freezers, dang it, they are long gone into our tummy’s.
I know where you folks are so I figured you know what I’m talking about.
I ‘ve had a couple of lady friends in Edmonds and driven up and down the way..
I can’t remember if I ever went to Harvey’s in the Ballard area, but I got kicked out of Harvey’s on Hwy. 99, Edmonds, one time because I forgot my ID. (I was over 21 but they kicked me out anyway.) The only time I was ever kicked out of a tavern. I can still remember it 55 years later.😅 (My friends and I just took our business down the road a ways.) Have a good night, David. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Diane! Kicked out of a tavern? I’m shocked!
A shocking revelation to her sordid past!😱😂
🤣Good morning, Bill and Tommy. Yep, that’s me all right! Here’s a funny coincidence. Right after I read the comment from Tommy, I got an email from my favorite retired RCMP. His comment was, “Of course I thought of you when I saw this.” And the screenshot he included said: “I wasn’t planning on going for a run today, but those cops came out of nowhere!” I think he was referring to my daily walk at the track, because he doesn’t know about my sordid past.🤣 Y’all have a great day!🤗🤗 –Diane
Aha, others are on to you ! 😁
Got my walk in earlier this morning, a brisk 38 degrees out, but sunny. Hope your weather has improved so you can enjoy yours as well.
Thanks, Bill. Will go for my walk this afternoon, after school lets out and hopefully before the rain arrives midafternoon. I don’t have to wait for my walking buddy to get off work today because she’s on her way to Hawaii.🙄🌴 Take care. 😀 –Diane
Lucky her! My son lucked out by leaving Shoreline, before the weather hit, to head down here. He got home on Tuesday
I grew up in Shoreline, long before it became Shoreline. The house my folks built in the late ’40s was surrounded by acres and acres of trees. Now it’s all wall-to-wall houses, e.g., they built 4 houses where my folks’ house was. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
I think Harveys is still there. The ears stopped moving long ago, but the giant rabbit, Harvey, was still standing.
If folks are wondering about rabbits and bars… think Jimmy Stewart
Thanks, Steven. I haven’t driven past there in a long time, but it’s still there. I should stop in there and tell them I want that beer I ordered 57 years ago but forgot my ID so the guys and I had to leave and we took our business elsewhere. It amounted to quite a bit, considering there were 5 guys and me in our group and we were there for several hours. Have a great day. Cheers!🍺 😀 –Diane
I live in Kentucky about 3 hours from Louisville. I’ve been to Louisville several times. And I’ve never heard of a Kentucky hot brown. Joe I’m going to have to search and try it. Thanks!
I live in Louisville, and am surprised you’ve never heard of the “Hot Brown”. You won’t find it in a fast food place, but many of the “sit down” restaurants have it on the menu. Very rich, and tasty!
Originated at the Brown Hotel, hence its name.
You can also eat at Maid-Rite in Quincy Illinois!
The Wisconsin Pastie- what a satisfying treat, and nutritious as well. We’d get them at a bakery and the great aroma filled the car as we drove home.
Yep…pretty much hit all my favorites. We travel the Midwest quite a bit and I’m always looking forward to special food in certain states. One that is also a Midwest favorite is the BPT (breaded pork tenderloin) sandwich. Iowa, was always my go to for this treat, but recently I learned they are popular in Indiana too.
Thank you, Gail! I lived in south, central Kentucky (i.e., Bowling Green) for a few years and never heard of the Brown dish you listed. I have been to L’ville a few times and have several friends who live there. No idea until now; thank you!
PS. People who live there pronounce it Lou-a-vul but spell it Louisville. I write it L’ville to save time. 😉
I’ve lived in the St Louis area most of my 67 years. Besides toasted rav, there are a couple other distinctly St Louis foods. Imo’s pizza is one – it is made with provel cheese and is my favorite type of pizza. Also, I believe that pork steaks are a St Louis phenomenon, aren’t they?
Springfield Illinois invented the horse shoe. Thick slices of bread piled with a meat ( chicken strips, tenderloin, hamburger patties, ham or turkey)
French fries and topped off with cheese sauce.
Also the fried pork tenderloin originated somewhere around here.
“Sometimes ketchup”? Gail, Gail, Gail. You were obviously in the southern U.P. where the dreaded gravy is served. Ketchup prevails in the north. Calumet, MI holds Pastyfest in August with an international bake-off. Ketchup vs gravy is a sometimes loud, but always friendly discussion (with frequent shudders at the opposing justification for their condiment of choice).
I love regional food and have had the pleasure of several you’ve mentioned here – the rest I will have to make a point of searching out next time! When we were in Louisville KT, I had heard about the Hot Brown and searched it out. The waitress shared that it had originated in Louisville and that’s about the only area you can really find it in, so maybe that’s why many people outside there haven’t heard or had it. It’s rich! and very filling, but one dish you should try! 😉
Skip the loose meat Maid-Rite, and have a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, mostly a southern Iowa tradition, and generally 2-3 times bigger than the bun.
Thank you, Gail! The food all sounds delicious, although the cheese curds sounds less so. However, many of the listed items sound unhealthful and certainly good ways to add, but not remove, weight. Oddly enough, just as I never heard of white barbecue sauce while living in Alabama, so, too, have I lived in Kentucky visiting Louisville several times, and never heard of Hot Browns. Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂