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

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New York: New York Style Pizza

When it comes to New York’s iconic food, nothing tops a slice of New York-style pizza. This is the pizza that has conquered the world’s imagination: a huge, wide, thin-crusted slice that’s foldable, yet crisp along the edges. Birthed in the early 1900s by Italian-American immigrants in New York City, it evolved into a distinct style defined by its hand-tossed, chewy crust, light layer of flavorful tomato sauce, and a blanket of melty mozzarella. One defining trait is that New York pizza is often sold by the slice – great for on-the-go city dwellers. You’ll see people folding their massive slices in half lengthwise to eat them one-handed, a practical approach that also happens to concentrate the flavors. Classic toppings range from just cheese to pepperoni, but even plain, a true New York slice is packed with flavor from its long-fermented dough and quality cheese. Pizzerias in New York famously cook the pies in very hot deck ovens, sometimes coal-fired or gas, giving the crust a slight char and a pliable structure. New Yorkers take pizza seriously – debates over the best slice are endless, and eating pizza with a fork is considered a faux pas for locals. From Manhattan to the outer boroughs, the corner pizza joint is an institution, and that perfect cheesy slice is a bite of New York’s history and daily life all at once.