Here Is The Most Disproportionately Popular Cuisine In Each State: Note for a lecture, "E Pluribus Unum? What Keeps the United States United"

The Huffington Post | By Harry Bradford
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Posted: 01/14/2015 7:35 am EST
via JB on Facebook

When most people think American cuisine, they think pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers.

While these are indeed staples across the country, every state has its own sense of flavor. Now, thanks to a collaboration between The Huffington Post and Yelp, we can see exactly what types of cuisine are most likely to appear in each state.

You may not be surprised to learn that Maine is crazy about seafood. But would you have guessed that Utah has a hankering for Hawaiian?

Yelp figured out which cuisines were most common in each state by examining restaurant listings on its site. The review service uses information pulled by third-party data providers from public records and other sources in order to create its online restaurant listings,according to its website.

To get the data for the map, Yelp first calculated the percentage of total restaurants each cuisine represented in a given state. Then, it compared each percentage with the cuisine's representation in restaurants nationwide. The resulting map, made by HuffPost, shows the cuisines with a disproportionate level of representation in each state.

Restaurants on Yelp can be placed into as many as three categories, so some restaurants may have been counted more than once. For instance, a Kosher vegetarian Chinese restaurant would count as three cuisines.

Check out the map below by HuffPost's Alissa Scheller, using data provided by Yelp, to find out which cuisines are most popular in each state. Below the map is a list of the top five cuisines in each state:

Alabama

1. Southern -- 256 percent higher than national average.
2. BBQ -- 145 percent higher than national average.
3. Cajun -- 96 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 89 percent higher than national average.
5. Soul food -- 87 percent higher than national average.

Alaska

1. Filipino -- 208 percent higher than national average.
2. Fish and chips -- 200 percent higher than national average.
3. Thai -- 158 percent higher than national average.
4. Seafood -- 158 percent higher than national average.
5. Hawaiian -- 90 percent higher than national average.

Arizona

1. Mexican -- 73 percent higher than national average.
2. Greek -- 63 percent higher than national average.
3. Gluten-free -- 57 percent higher than national average.
4. Buffets -- 54 percent higher than national average.
5. Mediterranean -- 40 percent higher than national average.

Arkansas

1. Southern -- 142 percent higher than national average.
2. BBQ -- 91 percent higher than national average.
3. Tex-Mex -- 64 percent higher than national average.
4. Cajun -- 64 percent higher than national average.
5. Steak -- 53 percent higher than national average.

California

1. Taiwanese -- 264 percent higher than national average.
2. Filipino -- 226 percent higher than national average.
3. Vietnamese -- 143 percent higher than national average.
4. Korean -- 143 percent higher than national average.
5. Hawaiian -- 125 percent higher than national average.

Colorado

1. Gluten-free -- 149 percent higher than national average.
2. Vietnamese -- 65 percent higher than national average.
3. Mexican -- 55 percent higher than national average.
4. Soup -- 40 percent higher than national average.
5. Breakfast/brunch -- 36 percent higher than national average.

Connecticut

1. Spanish -- 168 percent higher than national average.
2. Deli -- 95 percent higher than national average.
3. Italian -- 89 percent higher than national average.
4. Irish -- 69 percent higher than national average.
5. Caribbean -- 56 percent higher than national average.

Delaware

1. Irish -- 166 percent higher than national average.
2. Cheesesteaks -- 123 percent higher than national average.
3. Caribbean -- 122 percent higher than national average.
4. Seafood -- 101 percent higher than national average.
5. Gastropub -- 87 percent higher than national average.

District of Columbia

1. Belgian -- 1,711 percent higher than national average.
2. Ethiopian -- 1,560 percent higher than national average.
3. African -- 555 percent higher than national average.
4. Food stands -- 332 percent higher than national average.
5. French -- 250 percent higher than national average.

Florida

1. Cuban -- 757 percent higher than national average.
2. Caribbean -- 286 percent higher than national average.
3. Peruvian -- 264 percent higher than national average.
4. Latin -- 217 percent higher than national average.
5. Spanish -- 159 percent higher than national average.

Georgia

1. Southern -- 304 percent higher than national average.
2. Soul food -- 155 percent higher than national average.
3. Caribbean -- 113 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 103 percent higher than national average.
5. BBQ -- 57 percent higher than national average.

Hawaii

1. Hawaiian -- 5028 percent higher than national average.
2. Ramen -- 1443 percent higher than national average.
3. Filipino -- 809 percent higher than national average.
4. Korean -- 465 percent higher than national average.
5. Food stands -- 380 percent higher than national average.

Idaho

1. Gastropubs -- 52 percent higher than national average.
2. Cafes -- 31 percent higher than national average.
3. Mexican -- 26 percent higher than national average.
4. Steak -- 25 percent higher than national average.
5. Traditional American -- 25 percent higher than national average.

Illinois

1. Pakistani -- 80 percent higher than national average.
2. Hot dogs -- 76 percent higher than national average.
3. Middle Eastern -- 34 percent higher than national average.
4. Greek -- 25 percent higher than national average.
5. Indian-Pakistani -- 23 percent higher than national average.

Indiana

1. Pizza -- 43 percent higher than national average.
2. Tex-Mex -- 38 percent higher than national average.
3. Fast food -- 37 percent higher than national average.
4. Steak -- 30 percent higher than national average.
5. Burgers -- 29 percent higher than national average.

Iowa

1. Buffets -- 127 percent higher than national average.
2. Pizza -- 64 percent higher than national average.
3. Steak -- 21 percent higher than national average.
4. Traditional American -- 7 percent higher than national average.
5. Fast food -- 5 percent higher than national average.

Kansas

1. BBQ -- 48 percent higher than national average.
2. Chicken wings -- 38 percent higher than national average.
3. Tex-Mex -- 35 percent higher than national average.
4. Mexican -- 33 percent higher than national average.
5. Fast food -- 31 percent higher than national average.

Kentucky

1. Southern -- 111 percent higher than national average.
2. Fast food -- 66 percent higher than national average.
3. Tex-Mex -- 56 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 52 percent higher than national average.
5. Burgers -- 50 percent higher than national average.

Louisiana

1. Cajun -- 1,540 percent higher than national average.
2. Southern -- 219 percent higher than national average.
3. Soul food -- 198 percent higher than national average.
4. Seafood -- 158 percent higher than national average.
5. Chicken wings -- 75 percent higher than national average.

Maine

1. Seafood -- 321 percent higher than national average.
2. Irish -- 135 percent higher than national average.
3. Gastropubs -- 102 percent higher than national average.
4. Gluten-free -- 78 percent higher than national average.
5. Diners -- 77 percent higher than national average.

Maryland

1. Peruvian -- 200 percent higher than national average.
2. Cheesesteaks -- 121 percent higher than national average.
3. Caribbean -- 103 percent higher than national average.
4. Latin -- 102 percent higher than national average.
5. Pakistani -- 97 percent higher than national average.

Massachusetts

1. Portuguese -- 716 percent higher than national average.
2. Brazilian -- 361 percent higher than national average.
3. Irish -- 179 percent higher than national average.
4. Seafood -- 90 percent higher than national average.
5. Middle Eastern -- 82 percent higher than national average.

Michigan

1. Middle Eastern -- 184 percent higher than national average.
2. Diners -- 47 percent higher than national average.
3. Hot dogs -- 43 percent higher than national average.
4. Pizza -- 43 percent higher than national average.
5. Soup -- 40 percent higher than national average.

Minnesota

1. Buffets -- 53 percent higher than national average.
2. Traditional American -- 35 percent higher than national average.
3. Pizza -- 31 percent higher than national average.
4. New American -- 21 percent higher than national average.
5. Gluten-free -- 18 percent higher than national average.

Mississippi

1. Southern -- 371 percent higher than national average.
2. Cajun -- 189 percent higher than national average.
3. Buffets -- 135 percent higher than national average.
4. Soul food -- 106 percent higher than national average.
5. Chicken wings -- 103 percent higher than national average.

Missouri

1. BBQ -- 65 percent higher than national average.
2. Soup -- 46 percent higher than national average.
3. Chicken wings -- 33 percent higher than national average.
4. Steak -- 30 percent higher than national average.
5. Tex-Mex -- 29 percent higher than national average.

Montana

1. Steak -- 141 percent higher than national average.
2. Cafes -- 80 percent higher than national average.
3. Traditional American -- 70 percent higher than national average.
4. Diners -- 52 percent higher than national average.
5. Breakfast/brunch -- 34 percent higher than national averag.e

Nebraska

1. Steak -- 60 percent higher than national average.
2. Buffets -- 36 percent higher than national average.
3. Chicken wings -- 35 percent higher than national average.
4. Comfort food -- 34 percent higher than national average.
5. Burgers -- 30 percent higher than national average.

Nevada

1. Filipino - 277 percent higher than national average.
2. Hawaiian -- 238 percent higher than national average.
3. Buffets -- 156 percent higher than national average.
4. Steak -- 84 percent higher than national average.
5. Vegan -- 66 percent higher than national average.

New Hampshire

1. Breakfast/brunch -- 95 percent higher than national average.
2. Irish -- 95 percent higher than national average.
3. Gluten-free -- 72 percent higher than national average.
4. Traditional American -- 67 percent higher than national average.
5. Diners -- 66 percent higher than national average.

New Jersey

1. Portuguese -- 880 percent higher than national average.
2. Spanish -- 266 percent higher than national average.
3. Kosher -- 218 percent higher than national average.
4. Peruvian -- 211 percent higher than national average.
5. Delis -- 156 percent higher than national average.

New Mexico

1. Mexican -- 124 percent higher than national average.
2. Steak -- 60 percent higher than national average.
3. French -- 58 percent higher than national average.
4. Cafes -- 51 percent higher than national average.
5. Vegetarian -- 45 percent higher than national average.

New York

1. Kosher -- 414 percent higher than national average.
2. Halal -- 233 percent higher than national average.
3. Spanish -- 206 percent higher than national average.
4. Caribbean -- 158 percent higher than national average.
5. Delis -- 117 percent higher than national average.

North Carolina

1. Southern -- 229 percent higher than national average.
2. Cheesesteaks -- 207 percent higher than national average.
3. Hot dogs -- 80 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 47 percent higher than national average.
5. Soul food -- 39 percent higher than national average.

North Dakota

1. German -- 187 percent higher than national average.
2. Steak -- 101 percent higher than national average.
3. Soup -- 68 percent higher than national average.
4. Buffets -- 62 percent higher than national average.
5. Salad -- 41 percent higher than national average.

Ohio

1. Soup -- 57 percent higher than national average.
2. Pizza -- 57 percent higher than national average.
3. Fast food -- 40 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 34 percent higher than national average.
5. Burgers -- 32 percent higher than national average.

Oklahoma

1. Tex-Mex -- 93 percent higher than national average.
2. BBQ -- 88 percent higher than national average.
3. Steak -- 58 percent higher than national average.
4. Buffets -- 51 percent higher than national average.
5. Fast food -- 51 percent higher than national average.

Oregon

1. Food stands -- 404 percent higher than national average.
2. Gluten-free -- 170 percent higher than national average.
3. Vegan -- 153 percent higher than national average.
4. Hawaiian -- 145 percent higher than national average.
5. Thai -- 127 percent higher than national average.

Pennsylvania

1. Cheesesteaks -- 260 percent higher than national average.
2. Pizza -- 60 percent higher than national average.
3. Italian -- 49 percent higher than national average.
4. Diners -- 46 percent higher than national average.
5. Delis -- 45 percent higher than national average.

Rhode Island

1. Portuguese -- 1,187 percent higher than national average.
2. Fish and chips -- 193 percent higher than national average.
3. Irish -- 141 percent higher than national average.
4. Spanish -- 124 percent higher than national average.
5. Seafood -- 95 percent higher than national average.

South Carolina

1. Southern -- 327 percent higher than national average.
2. Seafood -- 76 percent higher than national average.
3. Soul food -- 65 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 57 percent higher than national average.
5. BBQ -- 49 percent higher than national average.

South Dakota

1. Steak -- 143 percent higher than national average.
2. Buffets -- 71 percent higher than national average.
3. Traditional American -- 37 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 30 percent higher than national average.
5. Pizza -- 27 percent higher than national average.

Tennessee

1. Southern -- 335 percent higher than national average.
2. Soul food -- 105 percent higher than national average.
3. BBQ -- 100 percent higher than national average.
4. Chicken wings -- 59 percent higher than national average.
5. Tex-Mex -- 49 percent higher than national average.

Texas

1. Tex-Mex -- 174 percent higher than national average.
2. Cajun -- 171 percent higher than national average.
3. BBQ -- 89 percent higher than national average.
4. Mexican -- 85 percent higher than national average.
5. Chicken wings -- 64 percent higher than national average.

Utah

1. Hawaiian -- 241 percent higher than national average.
2. Hot dogs -- 54 percent higher than national average.
3. Mexican -- 50 percent higher than national average.
4. Comfort food -- 41 percent higher than national average.
5. Burgers -- 38 percent higher than national average.

Vermont

1. Gastropubs -- 220 percent higher than national average.
2. Diners -- 130 percent higher than national average.
3. Comfort food -- 113 percent higher than national average.
4. Vegan -- 92 percent higher than national average.
5. Delis -- 91 percent higher than national average.

Virginia

1. Peruvian -- 162 percent higher than national average.
2. Southern -- 104 percent higher than national average.
3. Latin -- 68 percent higher than national average.
4. Middle Eastern -- 68 percent higher than national average.
5. Pakistani -- 67 percent higher than national average.

Washington

1. Vietnamese -- 181 percent higher than national average.
2. Fish and chips -- 175 percent higher than national average.
3. Thai -- 125 percent higher than national average.
4. Korean -- 103 percent higher than national average.
5. Japanese -- 88 percent higher than national average.

West Virginia

1. Hot dogs -- 146 percent higher than national average.
2. Pizza -- 75 percent higher than national average.
3. Buffets -- 55 percent higher than national average.
4. Fast food -- 54 percent higher than national average.
5. Chicken wings -- 47 percent higher than national average.

Wisconsin

1. Traditional American -- 52 percent higher than national average.
2. Soup -- 34 percent higher than national average.
3. New American -- 25 percent higher than national average.
4. Sandwiches -- 21 percent higher than national average.
5. Pizza -- 20 percent higher than national average.

Wyoming

1. Steak -- 182 percent higher than national average.
2. Comfort food -- 106 percent higher than national average.
3. Traditional American -- 50 percent higher than national average.
4. New American -- 39 percent higher than national average.
5. Diners -- 28 percent higher than national average.