Is there anything that brings us back to our childhood kitchen the way some foods do? These dishes will certainly sound familiar to people who were fortunate enough to grow up in Iowa. Some are probably more regional than others (Iowa isn’t a tiny state, after all) but it’s likely that no matter where in Iowa you are from, some of these foods will take you right back to home-sweet-home.
- Corn on the Cob
Geoff Peters/Flickr Drenched in butter and salt, plain, grilled, boiled, or even raw right out of the field, Iowans know that sweet corn means summer.
- Runza
rayb77/Wikimedia Or maybe they called it a Beirock? Either way, this delicious and somewhat portable bread pocket stuffed with beef and sauerkraut is a gift from Nebraska. If you grew up in western Iowa, you definitely recognize this favorite.
- Walking Tacos
Clutzy Cooking Blog Is there a better, or more complete, meal than a Walking Taco? Bust open that bag, load it up, and take it to go.
- Tenderloin
Townhouse/Facebook This traditional Iowa sandwich is usually big enough for two meals. Townhouse in Wellsburg offers an excellent representation.
- Puppy Chow
Zophar1/Wikimedia This delicious snack is typically made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, melted chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.
- Maid-Rite
Dave C./Yelp This loose-meat sandwich is simply finely ground hamburger served with mustard, pickles, or onions. It’s a chain started in Iowa, but each location offers its own twist on this amazing sandwich.
- Fried Cheese
cbertel/Flickr We really have Wisconsin to thank for this. It’s safe to say Iowa loves fried cheese.
- Breakfast Pizza
jessica mullen/Flickr Thank you Casey’s! In Iowa, gas station food can be very good.
- Morel Mushrooms
Clayton Sieg These wonderful and seasonal treats are especially enjoyed by people willing to go out during the springtime and hunt for them. They are Iowa-gold, though.
- Iowa Chops
Patrick Kuhl/Flickr This seriously thick pork chop is a beautiful addition to a full Iowa meal. Seared and then baked, these juicy and flavorful pork chops are all the rage.
What did we miss? Tell us about your favorite Iowa food from childhood in the comments.
Geoff Peters/Flickr
Drenched in butter and salt, plain, grilled, boiled, or even raw right out of the field, Iowans know that sweet corn means summer.
rayb77/Wikimedia
Or maybe they called it a Beirock? Either way, this delicious and somewhat portable bread pocket stuffed with beef and sauerkraut is a gift from Nebraska. If you grew up in western Iowa, you definitely recognize this favorite.
Clutzy Cooking Blog
Is there a better, or more complete, meal than a Walking Taco? Bust open that bag, load it up, and take it to go.
Townhouse/Facebook
This traditional Iowa sandwich is usually big enough for two meals. Townhouse in Wellsburg offers an excellent representation.
Zophar1/Wikimedia
This delicious snack is typically made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, melted chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.
Dave C./Yelp
This loose-meat sandwich is simply finely ground hamburger served with mustard, pickles, or onions. It’s a chain started in Iowa, but each location offers its own twist on this amazing sandwich.
cbertel/Flickr
We really have Wisconsin to thank for this. It’s safe to say Iowa loves fried cheese.
jessica mullen/Flickr
Thank you Casey’s! In Iowa, gas station food can be very good.
Clayton Sieg
These wonderful and seasonal treats are especially enjoyed by people willing to go out during the springtime and hunt for them. They are Iowa-gold, though.
Patrick Kuhl/Flickr
This seriously thick pork chop is a beautiful addition to a full Iowa meal. Seared and then baked, these juicy and flavorful pork chops are all the rage.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
