The One ‘Must-Eat’ Food in Each of the 50 States [LIST]

I often dream of driving through all 50 states. Not to see the scenery but to eat something authentic to the state. Here's the list I'm using to plan my food stops.

The ultimate road trip. Just me, my wife and our daughter hitting' the High (calorie) way. Thanks to gang at Thrillist for putting together the only road map you'll need for this trip.

First, how this mouth-watering list was compiled (according to Thrillist):

Our criteria is admittedly loose. Some foods are the states' most famous exports, while others are icons that you won't see outside of their borders. For some dishes you want to go with the original that started it all, and other times a new-school innovator has taken things to a savory extreme that's just way more delicious.

You may disagree with some of the choices on this list, but that's the best part. If you have a reason why something different should've been picked, please share in the comment section below. Here they come. The must eat food in each of the 50 states, including D.C..

Since my road trip would start from home in Illinois, Chicago is where to find the first 'must eat' food.

ILLINOIS

It's not deep dish or a dog... it's an Italian Beef from Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park.

WISCONSIN

You're probably thinking it's something with cheese and you'd be wrong. It's Frozen Custard from Kopp's Frozen Custard in Greenfield, Brookfield, Bayshore.

MINNESOTA

I went to college in Minneapolis in the 80's and as a student I couldn't afford dining out so all of my food memories involve ramen noodles, Steak Umm's and all the ways you could cook a potato. Turns out I was missing the famous JUCY LUCY, a cheeseburger with the cheese ON THE INSIDE. This 'tasty burger' comes from Matt's Bar and it's only seven bucks. Can you imagine what that would've cost in 1986... man did I blow it.

Before you click HERE to see the rest of this list from Thrillist, I had to share this one from Texas. As a big smoked meat eater, I loved the way they described eating the brisket from Franklin Barbecue in Austin.

No dish is more Texas than brisket, and no brisket exemplifies the great heights the meat can achieve quite like Franklin Barbecue. Sure, it'll cost you five hours of your life waiting in line, but those 300 minutes melt away as soon as you reach the meat carver and they slice off a fatty hunk of beef candy. The anticipation makes for an even more visceral experience. The pillow-soft fat and sinfully tender meat, wrapped in a blanket of smoke, create one of the most excellent bites of food you can find anywhere.

I'm so hungry right now I could eat the corner of my desk. Got to go, I've got trip planning to do... and by that I mean eat.