Are Cheese Curds WI's ‘Most Iconic Food’? The Food Network Says So

WISCONSIN — You may not agree, but the Food Network says the most iconic food in Wisconsin are Fried Cheese Curds.

The network listed the foods each of the 50 states is known for in its 2024 “United Plates of America” report released earlier this year.

Here’s what the Food Network says about Fried Cheese Curds:

Cheese curds are small, bumpy lumps of (usually) cheddar that are collected before the cheese has formed into blocks. Kids of all ages love them for their moist, springy bite and mild, salty flavor. Try to get them as fresh as possible, before they are fully chilled, because that’s when they squeak. Yes, this cheese makes noise when you eat it. Fresh cheese curds are hugely popular in Wisconsin, but deep-fried cheese curds have attained cultlike status. Batter-fried and served with tasty dips, they’re on the menu at such restaurants as the landmark Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Guess what goes really well with them? Yep: beer.

The Food Network says its list is "packed with iconic local flavors that share its history and define its geography." The list also includes the best place to find these foods.

If Fried Cheese Curds doesn’t suit your tastes, other iconic foods in the region include:

• Minnesota: Hot Dish
• Illinois: Deep-Dish Pizza
• Iowa: Sweet Corn
• North Dakota: Cheese Buttons
• South Dakota: Lefse