What is Kansas’ most iconic food? See if you agree with Food Network Kitchen

When you think of iconic Kansas foods, what meals come to mind?

Maybe chili and cinnamon rolls or savory bierocks, or maybe you think of Pizza Hut, given its Wichita origin.

If you think one of those foods is the most iconic in the Sunflower State, you’re in disagreement with the Food Network Kitchen team. They’re the ones who develop Food Network recipes, test products, prep for shows and write the content on the network’s site.

Recently, the team updated its list dubbed “The Most-Iconic Food in All 50 States.”

“Maybe you’re craving barbecue as you pass through Alabama, know not to pass up the chance to dig into wildly fresh seafood while in Alaska or are wondering what Connecticut pizza is all about,” Food Network Kitchen said. “No matter what you like to eat, there are dishes you have to try in every state — and we’ve got the scoop on the best places to find them.”

Most iconic food in Kansas

The team at Food Network declared barbecue ribs as the most iconic food in the Sunflower State.

“Kansans like to get their fingers sticky eating well-smoked barbecue ribs,” they wrote. “Some of the best are at Roy’s Hickory Pit BBQ in Hutchinson. The family-owned business has been a mainstay since 1982. Beloved locals line up early to make sure they get a taste of their tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in a sweet and tangy sauce.”

Many who have eaten at Roy’s agree the ribs are something special.

One traveler driving through the state of Kansas described the ribs as “huge, tender, and practically falling off the bone” in a June 2 Yelp review.

“Roy’s Hickory Pit BBQ is one of those legendary Kansas barbecue spots that absolutely lives up to the hype,” someone wrote in a recent Google review. “... The brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked meats all have that authentic slow-smoked flavor that’s hard to find anymore. Nothing feels rushed or overproduced — it’s classic Kansas barbecue served the traditional way.”

“Well-traveled barbecue enthusiasts will tell you that Roy’s has the best ribs and is worthy of a road trip to try it,” Colby Sharples-Terry, the communications manager for Kansas Tourism, wrote in a May 2025 blog post.

Other iconic foods in the U.S.

As famous barbecue joints can be found in both Kansas and Missouri, you may be wondering if barbecue meat is also the most iconic food in Missouri. In a way, it is.

Toasted ravioli was named the most iconic food in the Show-Me State.

“Toasted ravioli — which are in fact fried — are exactly what they sound like: crispy, breaded ravioli,” Food Network Kitchen wrote. “They’re typically filled with seasoned ground meat and served with marinara sauce, but not at upscale barbecue joint Salt + Smoke. They fill their ravioli with chopped oak-smoked burnt ends (fatty chunks of brisket that are smoked for a long time until they get extra crispy) topped with a sprinkle of garlic and herbs and served with an Alabama-style white barbecue dipping sauce.”

Here are 10 other foods named most iconic in their states:

• California: Avocado toast
• Florida: Key lime pie
• Illinois: Deep-dish pizza
• Iowa: Sweet corn
• Louisiana: Beignets
• Massachusetts: Clam chowder
• Minnesota: Hot dish
• New York: Buffalo wings
• North Carolina: Lexington-style barbecue
• Texas: Brisket