We already know which states have the most state pride. But, do we ever stop to think that there's legit state-hate out there?
According to Matt Shirley, and his map of Every State's Least Favorite State, it appears that if you reside in one state, there's not much love for the one next to you. Or, in the case of California, when most of the country hates you.
And, don't even get us started on New Jersey.*
* New Jersey is our home state, and it's true.
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Every US State is unique in its own way -- from food and culture to accents and blue laws. However, nothing sums up a State better then its motto. Or, at least you'd think it would.
This map by CashNetUSA shows each State's maxim and the words that they live by -- in all of their vague outdated glory.
Luckily, a few updated mottos are in the works, such as "Don't Live Here," and "This Place Smells Funny." We'll let you guess which is which.
link via lost at e minor
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We've seen what happens when a U.S. map is made up entirely of food puns. But, what happens when a map dives a bit deeper and starts replacing city names with song titles?
British design group Dorothy has brought this musical map to life with their U.S.A Song Map. The vintage-style map, perhaps similar to the one hanging in a former classroom, is made up of over 1,000 song titles.
Pay a visit to No Sleep Till Brooklyn or Mississippi Queen, while scouring the map for a few of your favorites. U.S.A. Song Map is available for purchase here.
What are some of your favorite city or State-related songs?
link via laughing squid
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It's no surprise that Americans enjoy beer. But have you ever wondered how many breweries are actually churning out the stuff?
Pop Chart Lab has the answer, with Breweries of The United States. Not only does Pop Chart compose an aesthetically pleasing infographic, as they always do, but it could be the most comprehensive list of American breweries ever.
So, what are some of your favorite breweries? And, most importantly, what does North Dakota have against making beer?
Check out zoomed in versions of the East, West and Midwest, and then get Breweries of The United States for your wall here.
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Happy National Taco Day, everybody. Even though it's not Taco Tuesday, let's celebrate with the ultimate foodstuff.
It makes you think... What's the preferred type of taco in each U.S. State? The United States of Tacos has the answer.
Who knew that there was even such a thing as a Baked Taco Sandwich? Well, according to data compiled by Old El Paso and BettyCrocker.com, Oregon thinks it's the stuff.
So, grab some shells, meat fillings of your choice, the proper topping and have the best Taco Day ever. Even if it isn't Tuesday.
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Halloween fast approaches. Inevitably, bags of candy will be bought, consumed, and shared with co-workers when you can no longer stand the sight of it.
But what's your State's go-to Halloween candy? Brought to us by CandyStore.com and 11 years of sales data, America's Favorite Halloween Candy is an interactive map that lets us know each State's favorite sweet.
Does your State prefer the all-mighty Skittles? Or, perhaps your State buys more Candy Corn than most, just to torture trick-or-treaters with.
Did they get your State right? Scroll over the map below and let us know your favorite candy. Have a Happy Halloween... even if you're from one of the candy corn States.
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Have you ever dreamed of taking the ultimate food road trip across the U.S.?
If so, Orbitz has put together the Ultimate US Foodie Road Trip, so you can show the map to friends and argue over it. Scroll through and see of they got your State right.
And, if you're feeling adventurous, hop in the car and hit a few of these. Tell them The Foodnited States sent you. Actually, don't that... it may get you shoddy service.
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Continuing with our Dumb State Food Laws series, we thought it'd be fun to show a few from all 50 States at once.
The United States of Crazy Laws is full of comically-antiquated misdemeanors -- some of which are hard to believe actually existed or were enforced.
Did policeman actually try to bounce pickles off the street in Connecticut? How do you cuff someone with an ice cream cone in their back pocket? Perhaps, we'll never know.
In the meantime, check out all 50 and let us know how you feel about your State's lawmakers.
photo: Seattlepi.com
Next up in our Dumb State Food Laws series, New Jersey.
No soup for you! That's something you might hear in New Jersey if a surly diner owner decides to uphold this antiquated law.
We find it hard to believe that most New Jerseyans can keep quiet with their consommé, so please feel free to play soup nazi and make a citizens arrest.
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We all know what happens when every U.S. State becomes a food pun. But, what food items are iconic to each State? Flavored Nation brings us the answer in map-form.
A few of these dishes may seem familiar or obvious to a particular area. Then, there's the introduction of something called "chislic," and "knoephla" for those who aren't from the Dakotas.
Lists such as this usually cause some debate, even amongst neighbors. Because in New Jersey, it's called "Taylor Ham." Fight me, South Jersey!
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Pineapple on pizza causes some of the most heated debates in the food world. Not to sway anyone's opinion, but as someone from New Jersey, the concept of pineapple on pizza is wrong and must be destroyed.
Nonetheless, there are some U.S. States that still enjoy this ill-advised mix of sweet and savory. According to data collected by Papa John's and their locations across the country, California is leading the pineapple-on-pizza charge.
Surprisingly, Hawaii, who got us into this mess in the first place, doesn't necessarily dig it.
Where do you stand on the debate?
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Whether they’re purchased or given away, stickers can be an effective marketing tool and a big hit with your fans. The Foodnited States Stickers are a fan favorite, and they've become a fun and cost-effective way to promote our brand.
Check out a few things that we do with The Foodnited States Stickers to get the word out... besides sticking them everywhere.
Everyone loves free stuff. Even if it’s little more than a 4" x 3" adhesive slab of vinyl. Whether it’s an offer of free stickers in exchange for an email sign-up, or bonus stickers included with every purchase, they make for happy customers and may even land your site a great review.
We heard through the grapevine that college students love to cover their water bottles and laptops with stickers. “Hey, we have fun stickers... here you go, co-eds!”
Our recent Foodnited U campaign was a hit. By offering free stickers to students around the country, we were able to create an effective marketing campaign for merely the cost of stickers. Then, by offering tees to those same students, we found a few quality brand ambassadors in the process.
There’s just something about seeing the word “Giveaway” that gets people eager to populate a comment section. Even if the item being given away is just a bunch of stickers.
Post a sticker giveaway contest on Facebook, Instagram or your preferred social media platform, and enjoy that spike in engagement rate.
Believe it or not, our sticker giveaways get an equal, if not better response than our T-shirt giveaways. Check out this one that we did over on Instagram...
Show of hands... Who still saves business cards? Although business cards are still a preferred method of sharing contact info, stickers are a lot more fun. And, they'll instantly improve any flat surace... Boring cards don’t do that.
Confession... I recently forgot to bring business cards to a pop-up event. The perfect solution was passing out our stickers instead. It has our website address and social media handle on it, and they'll probably wind up stuck somewhere they'll be seen, not thrown in some drawer, i.e., the business card graveyard.
Sometimes, people want to work for their freebie, and perhaps even have a little fun in the process.
At some of our pop-ups, we have a little feature called Sticker Pong. The rules are simple... Toss the ball in a cup and you get whatever sticker is in it. Freebies, gamification, fun, it gets people in your space... it has all the things.
Sometimes folks aren’t ready for the commitment of adorning their torso with your brand. Stickers are a perfect gateway purchase.
Besides all of these giveaways, stickers actually sell really well at The Foodnited States. We then follow up those sticker purchases with a coupon for a t-shirt. Boom, upsell!
Check out all of our Foodnited States Stickers here. And, in case you’re wondering, we get all of them printed at Sticker Mule... They're awesome.
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Now, you may live in a particular U.S. State, but it doesn't mean that you have to like it. According to this map by USA Today that polled the U.S. on State Pride, a surprising amount of people would like a change of scenery.
It's no surprise that Texas scores high on State Pride (68%), while it appears that most Rhode Islanders hate their minuscule home (18%).
Montana and Alaska are the big winners (77%), proving that warm weather and city life is highly overrated.
How's your State pride and does this map get it right?
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Ask someone from New Jersey to name an item that best represents their State, and they'll probably answer with one of the following... Springsteen, the Turnpike, the Shore, or Taylor Ham/Pork Roll.
Thankfully, and because it's getting hot in the Garden State, Taylor Ham Ice Cream now exists. Brought to us by Fredon Township-based, Windy Brow Farms, the pork-laden ice cream is loaded with caramelized slices of the Jersey staple.
To cut back on the saltiness, and since this is a dessert and all, French toast bits are added to make the ice cream more palatable.
Taylor Ham and French Toast Ice Cream is part of Windy Brow Farms, Only In Jersey Collection, and available in scoops now.
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Each U.S. State has their unique way of saying things. This appears to be most accurate, and cause the most debate, when it comes to how natives refer to certain food items.
For example... Did you know that there's an endless debate in New Jersey over their beloved breakfast meat, and whether it's called "Taylor Ham" or "Pork Roll?" Either way, when it's ordered on a sandwich, it's often with "salt, pepper, ketchup."
What's some go-to food lingo in your State? Whether it's a famous food item, or the way it's ordered, we want to hear about it.
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Besides State lines, food culture and other factors that make each U.S. State unique -- there's also language that only locals will understand.
The United Slang of America is a fun interactive map with each State's favorite slang term.
Compiled by Slate, the map may have visitors to Vermont wondering what a "creemee" is, how "christmas" is celebrated all year in New Mexico, or why "jug handles" drive non-New Jerseyans crazy.
Did they get your State slang correct, yinz?
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Easter approaches, and many jelly beans will be bought and ingested. So, which jelly bean flavor reigns supreme in your State?
CandyStore.com has the answer, with a fun map of America's Favorite Jelly Bean By State. Collecting the last 10 years of sales data, and polling over 12,000 candy customers and Facebook followers, helped them come up with the results.
So, did they get your jelly bean flavor correct, America? And, can we trust those States that prefer black licorice?
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While there seems to be a go-to food that each U.S. State can agree upon -- it makes us wonder if there are certain foods that are overwhelmingly-loathed.
Brought to us by Hater, this map lets us in on each State's most-hated foodstuff.
Texas's aversion to well-done steak is no surprise. Although, we find it hard to believe that nobody in Michigan has ever been hungover. Or, that there are no 5-10 year olds in New Mexico.
Did they get it right, Murica?
via mental floss
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Next up in our Dumb State Food Laws series, Pennsylvania.
Days are hard to get through, and sometimes we need to nap wherever we can. Well, if you're currently feeling sleepy in Pennsylvania, don't even think about catching Z's on a refrigerator.
There's an antiquated law making it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator. Although, the law appears to be specifically about the low outdoor type fridges -- which are actually quite comfy.
So, if you feel the need to climb on top of yours, or anyone else's kitchen fridge, go for it.
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Are you a West Coast In-N-Out purist? Are the Five Guys your five favorite people? Or, is Whataburger life?
According to this map, America's Favorite Fast Food Burgers By State, the country no longer hails the Burger King, nor are they "Lovin' it."
Check out the coastal battle between In-N-Out and Five Guys, and what a surprise the Texas go-to is.
Did Ranker and Mental Floss get it right? And, if not, what's your favorite?
link via wide open eats
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We've seen what happens when the U.S. is made of food puns. But, what if the map was, instead, divided by region according to alcohol preference?
Vinepair brings us The United States of Alcohol -- an accurate and tongue in cheek breakdown of the United States' favorite booze.
What region do you fall in? And, did they get it right?
via vinepair
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It's not a bird, it's not a plane, and it isn't even Superman. Yet, nobody could be disappointed if you happen to spot Superman Ice Cream.
If you're wondering why you've never seen this super treat, it's probably because you don't live in Michigan, or a nearby State.
The ice cream combination of Superman's colors -- blue, red and yellow -- appears to have originated in Michigan, and is a uniquely Midwestern treat.
What the actual flavors are depends on where you find it -- although the method of achieving the necessary blue hue is often shrouded in mystery.
So, who screams for Superman Ice Cream? Apparently, the man himself...
via atlas obscura
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We've seen what happens when someone makes the U.S. States out of food and renames them. But what did the original State names actually mean, before The Foodnited States had their way with them?
According to this map by Expedia, those from Iowa can literally exclaim, "This is the place," while Missourians actually reside in a "dugout canoe."
We're a bit biased on the subject, but we think "State made of kale" is more appropriate for California, than "Mystical Island Califia."
Where are you from? Literally speaking, of course.
via expedia
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As much state pride as we have, even we must admit that there are a few borders in the U.S. that could use some work. Thankfully, graphic artists want to fix everything.
xkcd is here to help, with a graphic designer-style edit on the United States. A few clean-ups here, and a straight line there, and suddenly the States look a lot better.
What do think, U.S.? Could your State use a little edit?
xkcd via laughing squid
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If you've ever frequented a Chinese restaurant called Wok and Roll, bought wine at Planet of The Grapes, or you simply appreciate puns and creative wordplay, then we have the map for you.
Atlas Obscura crowdsourced some of the best pun-fueled business names from around The United States, and put them together in this interactive map. Although, food trucks and restaurants appear to have the strongest pun game, pet shops and salons bring it as well.
What are some of your favorites? And what’s a punny entry from your Foodnited State?
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Quick! You're away from home and need a sweet carbonated beverage, stat! What is the proper lingo you would use to assure that your demands are met? It actually depends on what part of the U.S. you're in.
Whether it's actually Coca-Cola or not, there is much of the South that will refer to a soft-drink as "Coke." The Northeast and West Coast prefer the term "Soda," while the rest of the country goes with "Pop."
So, which is it, people? Let us know where you're from, and say "Gimme a [insert soft-drink lingo]!"
map image via USA Today
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The Foodnited States will be exploring some of the most ridiculous State food laws from around the U.S. Whether they were once a good idea, and have since become hilariously outdated, or the person signing bills at the time was drunk -- we'll be presenting some of the best from around the country
Next up, California...
Ice cream is always a good choice. Especially in California, where it can get rather warm. Well, if your ice cream plans were pre-1987 in Carmel, it would've been illegal to eat your ice cream while standing on the sidewalk.
Thankfully, Mayor Clint Eastwood took office and appealed this dumb food law. You might say that he made everyone's day.
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Of all the creative wordplay available, food puns appear to elicit the biggest belly laughs. Here at The Foodnited States, we're obviously big fans of creative wordplay -- especially when foodstuffs are involved.
So, here are just a few of our favorite food pun series. Hold on to your bellies.
Using cookie letters and other foodstuffs, Marie Saba makes some of the most hunger-inducing food puns available. Check out more of her work here.
Food play and puns never looked so delicious, than when they're in the hands of artist, Lizzie Darden. She rocks on Instagram.
Seen above, Traffic Jam.
Ever wonder what celebrities would look like if they were made from food? Artist Justine Morrison has the answer with her fabulous illustration series.
Not only is Siow Jun's series Food For Thought full of puns and adorable cartoons, but it's educational as well. The illustrations and creative wordplay are a great way to get learnin'.
Combining food with animals makes for some fun and delicious-looking food puns. Animal Food, by artist Sarah DeRemer, toys with our minds and taste buds, and we're pretty happy about it.
Seen above, Hippotato.
Few do it better, and more minimalistic, than Talking Food. A food item on gray background, proper pun inserted, done. See more over on Instagram.
If cutting, slicing and dicing gets tedious, Cutting Boredom is here to help. The beautiful hand-crafted cutting boards are made by woodworker, Dave Stencil.
When texting or emails just won't do, a pun-laden visual becomes the best way to communicate with friends. Words with BFFs was an ongoing 'conversation' of food visuals and wordplay, between BuzzFeed writer Adam Ellis and his best friend Kristin.
Food, Object or Animal is an adorable series by artist, Jaco Haasbroek. If food could talk, it might say things as Haasbroek sees it, and it makes for a great series.
Food puns are the gift that keeps on giving. So, if you're only giving a card, there's Good Paper. The greeting cards are fueled by puns and beautifully-crafted.
Not only that, but they're made by and help support victims of sex trafficking and those misplaced by disease in the Philippines and Rwanda.
Not necessarily a series, but no less hilarious, Two Chips is an all-time favorite. Filmmaker, Adam Patch's wife got drunk and told a joke. He recorded the audio, added a cartoon visual, and a punny masterpiece was born.
It's that time of year again. Christmas trees are up, retail stores are filled with semi-tolerable Holiday music and Christmas movies will be watched ad nauseam.
So, what is the U.S. watching for Christmas? More specifically, what is each U.S. State watching, based on their Google searches? Although, on this map by Estately, there's a surprising lack of the classics, e.g., Miracle on 34th Street, most States are doing it correctly, e.g., Elf and Scrooged.
What Christmas movies are on your list? There are no wrong answers here... unless it's The Santa Clause 3.
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The Foodnited States will be exploring some of the most ridiculous State food laws from around the U.S. Whether they were once a good idea, and have since become hilariously outdated, or the person signing bills at the time was drunk -- we'll be presenting some of the best from around the country.
First up, Connecticut...
There's a Connecticut "law" which decrees that a pickle can only be called a pickle if it bounces.
Although, there only appears to be an isolated incident of this rule being enforced. A vendor was arrested and fined in 1948 for peddling pickles "unfit for human consumption," i.e., they didn't bounce when dropped from a foot off the ground.
This law has since been disputed and downgraded to a sort of urban legend, but let's pretend for fun's sake that vendors should throw their pickles to the ground before trying to sell them in Connecticut.
What are some other crazy State food laws that you've heard of? We'll be covering more here as a regular feature.
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