Taste is subjective, but there are certain foods that many people just can’t stand. Whether it’s the texture, the smell, or a childhood experience gone wrong, some dishes evoke a universal sense of “yuck.”
Have you ever wondered if your food dislikes align with those of your neighbors? This blog post dives into the most hated food in each state across the United States, based on a 2022 report by Zippia using Google Trends data.
Prepare to be surprised, maybe even vindicated, as we explore the culinary dislikes that unite (and divide) a nation. This data reflects foods that Americans are “definitely not looking for”.
From Anchovies to Olives: The Disgusting Food of Each State
Across the nation, certain foods consistently miss the mark. Using data that pinpoints the least-searched foods in each state, we’ve compiled a list that might just make you rethink your next cross-country road trip. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the foods that residents love to hate:
1. Alabama
Dwight Schrute would be upset to learn that people in Alabama dislike beets. They believe that even the state’s distinctive white barbecue sauce cannot improve the flavor of this earthy root vegetable.
2. Alaska
According to Alaska natives, turkey bacon is not real bacon, and they appear to despise the poultry-based fake pork product.
3. Arizona
Beets are the most disliked food in Arizona, which makes sense given the absence of beets in traditional Tex-Mex cuisine, which prefers stronger tastes like lime and jalapeño.
4. Arkansas
Given the state’s widespread aversion to the small fish, Arkansas residents are among the least inclined to order anchovy pizza.
5. California
It’s unlikely that dirty martinis are among the most popular drinks in California bars. The Golden State considers olives to be its most despised food.
6. Colorado
When it comes to outdoor activities, Colorado residents may be daring, but they are less so when it comes to food. When it comes to bacon, rugged Coloradans prefer pork over turkey. Turkey bacon is Colorado’s most despised food.
7. Connecticut
There is a proper and wrong way to order steak in Connecticut. According to locals, a well-done steak is a waste of good cut of beef, and don’t dare for ketchup.
8. Delaware
Don’t bother serving olives at a dinner party in Delaware. Locals are unlikely to touch the state’s most despised food with a ten-foot pole.
9. Florida
Beets do not belong on Florida beaches, where residents would rather eat seafood or traditional key lime pie than a bowl of root vegetables.
10. Georgia
Georgia’s urban foodies and rural farmers can agree on a few things, one of which is that olives are the state’s most despised food.
11. Hawaii
Hawaiians eat a lot of fresh produce, but pickles just do not make the cut. Plain pickled cucumbers pale in comparison to ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple.
12. Idaho
Potatoes may be a popular side dish in Idaho, where locally caught fish such as trout, bass, and salmon are frequent on restaurant menus, but anchovies are another story. The canned fish is the state’s most despised food.
13. Illinois
Chicago-style hot dogs are known for being “dragged through the garden,” with relish, onion, and a whole sport pepper, among other toppings, but olives are best kept out of this sacred recipe.
14. Indiana
Olives have no place in Indiana’s homestyle Midwest cuisine. Locals consider olives to be the Hoosier State’s most despised food.
15. Iowa
Landlocked Iowa has no patience for slimy anchovies, which are better used as bait than as a pizza topping.
16. Kansas
Meat-and-potatoes-loving Kansas residents have no time for fiddly anchovies. The Sunflower State considers anchovies to be its most despised food.
17. Kentucky
In a state where Bourbon and sugary-sweet Derby Pie are among the most popular foods, vegetables such as eggplant have no chance. Kentucky’s race-loving residents would rather drink mint juleps than try to choke down eggplant Parmesan.
18. Louisiana
Beets cannot compete with beignets in Louisiana. The Bayou State dislikes the earthy root vegetable.
19. Maine
Fresh seafood may reign supreme in Maine, but you’re unlikely to find a local who enjoys sushi. Residents of the Pine Tree State prefer their shellfish boiled and bathed in butter.
20. Maryland
Even a generous amount of Old Bay seasoning cannot save Maryland’s most despised food. Olives have no chance against the state’s signature crab cakes.
23. Massachusetts
Those who try to order a well-done steak in Massachusetts are likely to be given the cold shoulder by locals, who know that the best way to cook a cut of beef is medium rare.
24. Michigan
Don’t order a Detroit-style pizza with anchovies. According to Zippia, the slippery canned fish is the most despised food in Michigan.
25. Minnesota
Midwestern cuisine has no place for eggplant, especially in Minnesota, where residents consider the vegetable to be the state’s most despised food.
26. Mississippi
Pickles are an acceptable barbecue accompaniment in Mississippi, but olives have no place on the table in the Magnolia State.
27. Missouri
According to Zippia, Missourians have made their feelings clear: Anchovies have no place in the Ozarks.
28. Montana
Hay is for horses in Montana, and apparently so are carrots. The distinctly crisp, orange vegetable is the state’s most despised food.
29. Nebraska
Grocery stores in Nebraska should not bother stocking their shelves with anchovies. According to Zippia’s data, picky locals will not eat them.
30. Nevada
Nevada residents have their choice of international plates thanks to the abundance of world-class restaurants lining the Vegas strip. Their one request is to hold the eggplant.
31. New Hampshire
Given the abundance of fresh seafood available, it’s no surprise that New Hampshire residents avoid processed meat products. Bologna is the Granite State’s most despised food.
32. New Jersey
New Jersey residents would rather order anchovies on their pizza than consider adding olives. Even dirty martinis make picky locals wrinkle their noses.
33. New Mexico
Fresh chiles are supreme in New Mexico, where residents have no time for pickled or jarred products such as olives. When visiting, skip the olives and go for the freshly made salsa instead.
34. New York
New Yorkers are known for being opinionated about their food, but one thing that nearly all Empire State residents appear to agree on is to hold the olives.
35. North Carolina
Anchovies have no place on the plates of North Carolina residents, who prefer pork barbecue to petite canned fish.
36. North Dakota
German and North American culinary creations abound in North Dakota, neither of which contain the state’s most despised food: eggplant.
37. Ohio
Ohio residents have no tolerance for anchovies. The state’s most despised food could not be more unlike Cincinnati’s favorite Skyline Chili.
38. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s culinary tastes tend to lean toward classic meat-and-potato combinations, which is a far cry from delicate anchovies, the state’s most despised food.
39. Oregon
Organic produce is king in Oregon, a practice that netted the state $386 million in 2021. It’s no surprise, then, that processed products such as bologna do not appeal to the local palate.
40. Pennsylvania
From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania natives may have differing views on a wide range of topics, but one thing the majority can agree on is that sushi is the state’s most despised food.
41. Rhode Island
If it is not pork, Rhode Islanders do not want it, at least when it comes to turkey bacon.
42. South Carolina
Get olives near their shrimp and grits and see how quickly you earn a side-eye stare from South Carolina locals.
43. South Dakota
Similar to its northern neighbor, South Dakota’s culinary history has a German influence. While dishes such as chislic and kuchen grace local menus, one item that is noticeably absent is the state’s most despised food: eggplant.
44. Tennessee
Moonshine and Moon Pies may be equally popular treats in Tennessee, where olives are most certainly not welcome.
45. Texas
Even visitors who flock to Texas’ annual Austin Food & Wine Festival cannot stomach the idea of anchovies, which is perhaps why they are the Lone Star State’s most despised food.
46. Utah
After a day on the slopes, Utah residents are likely to scarf down almost anything, except bologna, the state’s most despised food, according to Zippia.
47. Vermont
Vermont has had a long love affair with sweet treats, from Ben & Jerry’s to maple syrup. This may explain why extra-savory sushi is a no-go for the locals.
48. Virginia
They say that Virginia is for lovers, lovers of everything except olives, the state’s most despised food, according to Zippia.
49. Washington
When you can get ultra-fresh salmon at a local fish shop, why would Washingtonians bother with processed products? Bologna bears the brunt of the frustration as the state’s most despised food.
50. West Virginia
Appalachia is not known for its sushi-loving population, especially in West Virginia, where locals have an outright hatred for the raw fish dish.
51. Wisconsin
Almost anything that can be dipped in cheese is fair game in Wisconsin, except anchovies, the Badger State’s most despised food.
52. Wyoming
Don’t even try to persuade a Wyoming resident that turkey bacon and pork bacon taste the same. According to Zippia, the turkey substitute is the Cowboy State’s most despised food.
Alicia Richards