The Most Popular Food in California, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:37
In the bustling melting pot that is California, the array of culinary offerings mirrors the diversity of its population. Knowing the most popular food items helps locals and tourists alike navigate their dining options more effectively, ensuring they can enjoy top-tier meals beloved by the masses.
This dynamic ranking seeks your input to mold the culinary landscape of the state. By casting your vote, you contribute to a comprehensive, crowd-sourced guide that highlights the crowd favorites, making every meal a potential journey to the heart of California's rich food culture.
What Is the Most Popular Food in California?
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188votesCalifornia produces 90% of the avocados in the U.S. and is known for its avocado toast and guacamole.Avocado is a luxury mattress brand known for its exceptional quality and comfort. Created with sustainability in mind, Avocado mattresses are handmade using natural and organic materials. They are designed to provide optimal support and pressure relief for a restful night's sleep.
- Material: Made with natural latex, organic cotton, and wool
- Support: Offers excellent support and spinal alignment
- Comfort: Provides a balanced and luxurious feel
- Breathability: Allows for a cool and comfortable sleep
- Durability: Known for its long-lasting quality
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236votes
Tomascastelazo · CC BY-SA 4.0San Francisco is famous for its sourdough bread, made with a unique sourdough starter.Sourdough bread is a type of bread made from a naturally fermented dough, resulting in a distinct tangy flavor. It is typically made using a sourdough starter, which is a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria from the environment. This starter is then used to leaven the bread dough, providing a characteristic taste, texture, and aroma. Sourdough bread is often known for its crispy crust, chewy interior, and complex flavor profile.- Fermentation Time: Long fermentation process, typically ranging from several hours to several days.
- Leavening Agent: Natural wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria present in the sourdough starter.
- Ingredients: Flour, water, and salt. Additional ingredients like whole-grain flours or seeds can be incorporated for variations.
- Tangy Flavor: Distinct sour taste resulting from the fermentation process.
- Crust: Crunchy and well-browned crust due to the long baking time and presence of natural sugars in the dough.
Sourdough bread in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult bread to make
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular bread in America
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular food in San Francisco
- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult thing to bake
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular type of Subway bread
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular food in the Yukon
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318votes
Popo le Chien · CC BY-SA 3.0California's coastal cuisine features fresh seafood, and fish tacos are a popular street food.Fish tacos are a popular dish in California that originated from the Baja California region in Mexico. They consist of a tortilla filled with pieces of grilled or fried fish, typically topped with various condiments and served with salsa or a creamy sauce.- Tortilla Type: Corn tortillas are traditionally used, although flour tortillas are also common.
- Fish Options: Popular fish choices include white fish, such as cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi.
- Grilling or Frying: The fish can be grilled or fried depending on personal preference.
- Condiments: Common condiments include shredded cabbage or lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
- Sauce Options: Fish tacos are typically served with salsa, chipotle mayo, or a creamy dressing such as avocado or lime crema.
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48votes
In-N-Out Burger
Harry Snyder and Esther SnyderThis fast-food chain originated in California and is known for its "secret menu" and fresh ingredients.In-N-Out Burger is a popular fast food chain located primarily in the western United States. Known for its simple menu, fresh ingredients, and high-quality burgers, it has gained a cult following among burger enthusiasts. The restaurant prides itself on its commitment to freshness, with everything made to order and no freezers or microwaves in sight. In-N-Out Burger also boasts a secret menu, offering additional customizations and specialty items for those in the know.- Year Established: 1948
- Headquarters: Irvine, California
- Number of Locations: Over 350
- Menu Items: Burgers, Cheeseburgers, Double-Doubles, French Fries, Shakes
- Freshness Policy: Made to order, no freezers or microwaves
In-N-Out Burger in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular restaurant in California
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular fast food in California
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular burger place in Texas
- Position 5 of 10 in Most underrated fast food restaurant
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular burger place in America
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular burger
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526votes
Korean BBQ
Korean cuisineLos Angeles has a large Korean population, and its Korean BBQ is renowned for its marinated meats and communal grilling.Korean BBQ chicken wings are a delicious and popular flavor option that combines the bold and smoky flavors of traditional Korean BBQ with the irresistible crunch of chicken wings. These wings are known for their sticky, sweet, and savory marinade, which creates a caramelized glaze that clings to each wing. The flavor profile is a winning combination of tangy, garlicky, and slightly spicy elements.- Flavor: Sweet, tangy, garlicky, and slightly spicy
- Marinade: Sticky and savory
- Cooking Style: Grilled or oven-baked
- Ingredients: Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chili paste
- Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Korean BBQ in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular flavor of chicken wings
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612votesThis seafood stew originated in San Francisco and is made with a variety of seafood, tomatoes, and herbs.Cioppino is a hearty seafood stew that originated in San Francisco, California. It is a delicious and flavorful dish with roots in Italian and Portuguese cuisines. The dish is known for its rich tomato-based broth, loaded with a variety of fresh seafood such as Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, and white fish. The stew is typically seasoned with garlic, onions, herbs like thyme and parsley, and a hint of spicy heat from chili flakes. Cioppino is often served with crusty bread or over a bed of pasta, allowing the broth to soak into the noodles.
- Origin: San Francisco, California
- Main Ingredients: Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, white fish
- Broth: Tomato-based, rich and flavorful
- Seasonings: Garlic, onions, thyme, parsley, chili flakes
- Texture: Hearty, chunky, and soupy
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76votesCalifornia-style burritos are oversized and filled with rice, beans, meat, and other ingredients. They are a popular fast-food item.Burritos are a popular Mexican-American food consisting of a large flour tortilla filled with various ingredients. The tortilla is typically folded around fillings such as meat (e.g., beef, chicken, or pork), rice, beans, cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Burritos can be customized to individual preferences and are often served with additional toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
- Size: Burritos can range in size from small to extra-large, with the larger ones often being more popular in California.
- Varieties: There are various types of burritos, including classic burritos, breakfast burritos, California burritos, and more.
- Fillings: Fillings can include meat (such as grilled steak or chicken), seafood, vegetables, beans, and cheese.
- Tortilla: Flour tortillas are commonly used for burritos, although other types like whole wheat or corn tortillas may also be used.
- Wrapped Style: Burritos are typically tightly wrapped to enclose the fillings and prevent them from falling out.
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814votesCastroville, California is known as the "Artichoke Capital of the World" and the vegetable is a popular appetizer and ingredient in California cuisine.Artichokes are a perennial vegetable from the thistle family, known for their unique and slightly bitter flavor. They have a tight, compacted head composed of numerous edible petals surrounding a fuzzy center called the choke. The most commonly eaten part is the tender fleshy base of the petals, while the choke is usually discarded. Artichokes can be cooked in various ways, including boiling, steaming, grilling, or baking, and are often served with dips or sauces.
- Flavor: Slightly bitter
- Texture: Tender and fleshy
- Edible Parts: Petals and base
- Inedible Part: Choke
- Cooking Methods: Boiling, steaming, grilling, baking
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96votesCalifornia is the largest wine-producing state in the U.S. and is known for its Napa and Sonoma valleys.
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107votes
Vranak · CC BY-SA 3.0French dip sandwich
Philippe MathieuThis sandwich originated in Los Angeles and consists of thinly sliced roast beef on a French roll, served with hot au jus for dipping.The French dip sandwich, also known as the roast beef dip or French sandwich, is a classic American sandwich consisting of thinly sliced roast beef served on a French roll or baguette. The unique feature of this sandwich is that it is typically served with a side of au jus, a flavorful beef broth for dipping. The combination of tender roast beef, crusty bread, and savory broth makes it a favorite among sandwich lovers.- Bread: French roll or baguette
- Meat: Thinly sliced roast beef
- Au Jus: Flavorful beef broth for dipping
- Cheese: Optional, typically Swiss or Provolone
- Additional Toppings: Sautéed onions, peppers, or mushrooms
French dip sandwich in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most delicious sandwich
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Fresh and local ingredientsCalifornia is known for its fresh, locally-sourced produce, seafood, dairy, and meats. Foods that highlight unique, high-quality, and sustainable ingredients from the state should be considered.
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Health-conscious optionsMany Californians are known for their active, health-conscious lifestyles. Foods that cater to specific dietary needs and preferences, such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes, should be taken into account.
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Iconic dishes and food trendsCalifornia is often at the forefront of food trends, and there are many iconic dishes that have originated from or become popular in the state. Examples include avocado toast, fish tacos, sushi burritos, and In-N-Out Burger.
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SeasonalityThe availability and popularity of some foods may vary depending on the time of year, due to seasonal produce and local harvesting.
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Geographic locationDifferent regions of California have their own unique culinary identities and contributions. Consider foods that are popular in specific areas, such as clam chowder in San Francisco, street tacos in Los Angeles, or tri-tip barbecue on the Central Coast.
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Accessibility and affordabilitySome popular foods might be more accessible and affordable than others, making them more widely consumed and enjoyed by a larger segment of the California population.
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Durability and adaptabilityFoods that have remained popular over a significant period of time and have adapted to changing food trends and consumer preferences should be considered.
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Appealing to diverse tastesPopular dishes should appeal to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences, satisfying both meat-lovers and vegetarians, for instance.
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Social media buzz and word-of-mouthA significant factor in the popularity of certain foods is the amount of conversation and buzz generated through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This may draw attention to specific dishes and restaurants.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in California. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2131 views
- 218 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in california
California is renowned for its diverse culture and vibrant food scene. With an abundance of fresh produce and a melting pot of culinary influences, the state boasts a plethora of delicious dishes. From classic American burgers to authentic Mexican tacos, California's cuisine has something to offer for every taste bud. But what is the most popular food in California? With so many options to choose from, it's a difficult question to answer. However, through our extensive research and analysis of polls conducted on StrawPoll, we've discovered that the top contenders for the title of California's most popular food are In-N-Out Burger, avocado toast, and fish tacos. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these dishes are a must-try when visiting the Golden State.
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