A State-by-State Guide to the Most Iconic Foods in America

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Kansas: Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Kansas’s most iconic food pairing might sound bizarre to the uninitiated, but locals will assure you it’s a match made in Midwestern heaven: a warm bowl of chili served alongside a sweet cinnamon roll. This tradition has its roots in Midwestern school cafeterias and church suppers, where the combo became a popular cold-weather meal. The chili is usually a classic beef and bean chili – hearty, tomato-based, and spiced just right. Instead of cornbread, Kansans pair it with a big, gooey cinnamon roll, eaten on the side or even dunked into the chili for a hit of sweet contrast. The practice surprises many outsiders, but for generations of Kansas kids, chili day wasn’t complete without the accompanying cinnamon roll on the tray. The pairing is tied to nostalgia and practicality: the chili fills you up and warms you, and the cinnamon roll is your dessert built right in. Especially during the chilly months, this lunch combo is a beloved tradition across Kansas. It might be unconventional, but one try and you’ll understand the comforting balance of sweet and savory that Kansans have cherished for decades.