Discover a Delectable Spectrum of Midwest Culinary Delights

The Midwest may be known for iconic landmarks and incredible scenery, but it’s also home to one of the nation’s most eclectic collections of food.

How popular is food in the Midwest? It’s so popular that the region has three distinct and well-known types of pizza, iconic sandwiches, and homemade favorites. But the deliciousness doesn’t stop there. Residents and travelers alike can dig into hearty Cincinnati chili and Detroit coney dogs, sweet treats, and fall-off-the-bone barbeque.

So if you can’t tell the difference between a pasty and a paczki, you’re not sure who or what a Jucy Lucy is, or things like slingers, runza, and hotdish make you pause, then read on to discover the delectable spectrum of culinary delights you can find in the Midwest.

Pasties

You can’t go far in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula without running into pasty shops. Dating back to the U.P.’s mining days, a pasty is a filling of beef, potato, onion, and rutabaga baked inside pastry to create a sort of meat turnover. Customers usually douse them in ketchup or gravy depending on their preference.

Coney Dogs

Detroit — and Michigan in general — is famous for these hot dogs, which are topped with a hearty beef sauce, chopped onions, and mustard. While Detroit and Metro Detroit have several iconic coney restaurants, Flint, Kalamazoo, and Jackson also stake their claim as coney originators.

Detroit-Style Pizza

Of all the slices in the US, Detroit pizza tops them all. This deep-dish square pizza is known for its thick, crispy, cheesy crust and reverse layering of cheese and toppings.

Chicago-Style Pizza

The New York vs. Chicago pizza debate may never end, but in the Midwest, there’s no question Chicago-style pizza is a tasty slice. Deep dish Chicago pizza is a thick pie with a reverse layering of toppings. The Windy City is also known for its tavern-style pizza — thin crust pizza cut into squares instead of slices.

St. Louis-Style Pizza

What’s better than 2 iconic Midwest pizzas? Try 3. St. Louis-style pizza features a thin, cracker-like crust topped with a sweet tomato sauce, Provel cheese, and cut into squares.

Cincinnati Chili

This Southern Ohio staple is used as a topping on everything from spaghetti to hot dogs. Cincinnati chili tends to have a soup-like consistency and incredible depth of flavor that includes everything from allspice to chocolate.

Chili is served “ways” with extra ingredients like red beans, chopped onions, and shredded cheese piled on depending on individual preference.

Hotdish

If you spend any time in the Midwest, you’ll likely enjoy hotdish a time or two. Hotdish is a simple and hearty casserole-style meal that includes soup, vegetables, meat, and whatever other comfort foods might be appropriate. A popular variation includes Tater Tot hotdish where tater tots are lined on top before baking.

DID YOU KNOW: Twinkies, Pop Weaver Popcorn, Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Kellogg’s, SPAM, Kool-Aid, Cream of Wheat, and Smuckers, are some iconic brands that originated in the Midwest.

Jucy Lucy

If you’re in the Twin Cities, sit down and enjoy (with a lot of napkins) this juicy burger, which features a core of melted cheese in the center of two patties. Two Minneapolis bars claim to have invented the burger, but you can try both — plus other local spots — to decide for yourself.

Horseshoe Sandwich

 The heartiest Midwest meals include a little bit of everything and that includes the Horseshoe Sandwich, which originated in Springfield Illinois. This open-faced goodness consists of thick bread piled high with a burger patty, French fries, and cheese sauce, and is said to resemble a horseshoe.

Italian Beef Sandwich

This mouthwatering Chicago staple consists of thin roast beef slices served au jus with giardiniera and hot or mild peppers and served “dipped,” “dunked,” or “wet,” allowing the entire sandwich to be saturated with au jus.

Don’t forget to eat your sandwich in the “Italian Stance” with your elbows forward and feet spread apart to keep yourself clean.

St. Louis & Kansas City BBQ

St. Louis has staked a claim to having some of the nation’s best BBQ. St. Louis-style ‘que is characterized by grilled meat, especially spare ribs, that are lathered in sweet, tomato-based sauces, rather than being smoked.

Kansas City-style BBQ features smoked meats — including burnt ends and brisket — seasoned with a dry rub that are covered in a thick sauce, usually made from tomato sauce, molasses, and brown sugar.

Cheese/Cheese Curds

No trip through Wisconsin seems complete without at least a sample of Wisconsin cheese goodness. Whether you pull into a Culver’s for a ButterBurger and some cheese curds, visit a local dairy farm, or stop into a local restaurant, Wisconsin cheese makes the perfect Midwest appetizer or snack.

Slinger

If you’re hungry after a late night in St. Louis, a slinger is sure to satisfy any and all appetites. A slinger consists of eggs, hamburger, and hash browns, all topped with onions, chili, and cheese.

St. Paul Sandwich

Despite its name, the St. Paul Sandwich is a staple in many Chinese American restaurants in Missouri. The sandwich typically consists of an egg foo young patty topped with mayo, lettuce, white onion, and dill pickle slices on white bread. Depending on the location, it comes in different combinations, including pork, shrimp, chicken, and beef.

Polish Boy Sandwich

On the shores of Lake Erie, Clevelanders and visitors alike can dig into this loaded sausage sandwich. It starts with a sausage in a bun, which is then topped with fries, barbeque sauce, and a layer of coleslaw.

Reuben Sandwich

Many places claim to have invented this corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut concoction. Omaha is one of those and it’s supposedly named for Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocer from Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood. 

Goetta

This Cincinnati staple is said to be every bit as iconic as Cincinnati chili. This meat-and-grain sausage is made from pork and oats and forms a loaf, which is cut into slices, fried, and served at breakfast.

Cassata Cake

This traditional Sicilian dessert gets a Midwest spin in Cleveland, which includes layers of sponge cake, custard, and fresh strawberries, with a layer of whipped cream on top. This version is lighter and less rich than the traditional Sicilian one and is found at local Italian bakeries.

Corn Dog

Once you’ve tasted Detroit’s coney and Cincinnati chili dogs, travel to Springfield Illinois, and Cozy Dog Drive-In, a Route 66 staple that claims to be the originator of the corn dog.

Cheese Frenchee

Developed in Lincoln Nebraska in the 1950s, this is a delicious twist on grilled cheese. This local favorite is a cheese and salad dressing sandwich that’s dipped in egg and cracker crumbs and then fried. If you’re in Lincoln or Omaha, stop at Amigo’s/King’s Classic or Don & Millie’s to get your fix.

Ice Cream/Frozen Custard

Ice cream isn’t unique to the Midwest, but America’s Heartland is home to the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” and tasty flavors that are Midwest staples. We may never know what’s in Blue Moon or Superman ice cream, but they’re colorful, delicious, and perfect on a summer day.

Frozen custard is also a popular sweet treat throughout the Midwest. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard shop in St. Louis is the oldest such shop in the world and Milwaukee has the highest concentration of frozen custard shops in the world — including a long-standing rivalry between Gillies Frozen Custard, Kopp’s Frozen Custard, and Leon’s Frozen Custard.

Runza

If Michigan’s UP has the pasty, Nebraska has the runza — a bread pocket filled with seasonings, beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, and onions (cheese is optional). Pair with a soup, a salad, or a side of fries for a hearty meal.

Paczki

Polish food is prominent in the Midwest and these delectable, doughy, jelly and custard-filled treats are a Fat Tuesday staple, especially in Polish areas like Hamtramck Michigan.

Buckeye

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State and Buckeye candy — small, nearly chocolate-covered pieces of peanut butter fudge — are a popular snack that resembles the nuts that grow on Buckeye trees.

Barberton Chicken

This Serbian-American twist on fried chicken can be found in Barberton Ohio and the surrounding area. This chicken is cooked fresh with only salt for seasoning and fried in lard.

Try These Other Midwest Mainstays

Whether you live in the Midwest already or are traveling through the Midwest, consider trying some of these other staples:

• Booyah — a hearty Wisconsin stew
• Boston cooler — Despite the name, it’s a Michigan favorite made with Vernors ginger ale and vanilla ice cream
• Kringle and profiterole — Pasteries served in Wisconsin
• Olive burger — a burger topped in “olive sauce,” a mixture of mayo and chopped green olives that’s a favorite in Michigan
• Fry bread — An Indigenous flatbread that can be served with a Lakota berry sauce (wojapi)
• Poor Boy — Not to be confused with a Louisiana Po’ Boy, the Poor Boy is what St. Louis calls a sub sandwich
• Fudge — a delicious, sweet staple famously found on Michigan’s Mackinac Island
• Lutefisk — a pungent whitefish dish that’s enjoyed in Minnesota
• Bierock — a pasty-like dish found in South Dakota, Kansas, and other Midwest states.
• Toasted ravioli — deep-fried ravioli that are a St. Louis specialty
• Chicago hot dogs — all-beef franks served on poppy seed buns and topped with mustard, onions, relish, tomato slices, sport peppers, a pickle spear, and celery salt
• Corn — As Nebraska is the Cornhusker State, residents can enjoy cornbread, corn on the cob, and other dishes in the summer and fall
• Loose-Meat sandwiches — Also called a tavern sandwich, it’s a ground beef sandwich on a bun topped with standard burger toppings
• Sauerkraut meatballs — fritters stuffed with sauerkraut and meat, and found in Ohio
• Pork tenderloin sandwiches — These deep-fried pork sandwiches are popular in Indianapolis and other parts of Indiana
• Rocky Mountain oysters — deep-fried bull testicles that are considered a delicacy in South Dakota

Make Your Way to the Midwest for a True Taste of Deliciousness

No matter if you’re a pizza fanatic, you have a big sweet tooth, or you just love trying new foods, the Midwest has something for everyone. Sink your teeth into hearty sandwiches, pasties, runzas, and even Barberton Chicken to see what all the fuss is about. Even if you’re the pickiest eater, it’s a safe bet you won’t leave hungry after visiting the Midwest.

Let us know which Midwest favorites we might have missed!