Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock

In part due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is known for all things crab. From crab cakes to fried crabs, locals won't let you leave without trying at least one dish.

Quora user Stephanie Vardavas raved about the fried soft shell crab sandwich as one of the best crab dishes around, even if eating a whole crab can be a bit intimidating.

"It does take a little getting used to, because the idea of an entire deep-fried small animal on a bun is weird. But it's totally worth it," she said.

Shutterstock / Magdanatka

Pokē, a traditionally Hawaiian dish, has been popping up in restaurants all over the US recently, and user Garrick Saito helped explain the food phenomenon.

"[Pokē] is conceptually very similar to the sashimi you might have at a sushi bar (they both have the raw fish and soy sauce in common), but pokē also contains other goodies such as green onions, chili pepper flakes, sesame oil, Hawaiian seaweed (called ogo ), and sometimes a little garlic," he said.

Wikimedia Commons

"A uniquely satisfying pressed sandwich that is believed to have originated in the Cuban emigré populations in Florida," Stephanie Vardavas said.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

From Southern California to Arizona and Texas, local eateries are known for serving up delicious street food, especially tacos.

"Any Southwest Or West Coast native knows about street tacos, and they are such a part of everyday eating that you might have thought to not even mention them. Once you have had these you will never visit that horrible Bell place that shall not be named ever again," user Joshua Engel said.

"Deep fried or grilled fish, crema Mexicana, salsa fresca all compiled to delicious perfection on a tortilla. One taste, and you'll never think of tacos the same again!" Ti Zhao agreed.

Wikipedia / Cioppino

"If you come to the Bay Area, cioppino will be the thing THEY demand you try," Andrew Gutsch said of the traditionally Italian seafood stew that is popular in the Bay area.

T.Tseng / Flickr

A local favorite in states such as Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, country ham is a Southern delicacy. "This is not your spongy, rubbery salt and syrup injected monstrosity you might buy at the supermarket. A country ham is salted, cured, smoked and then dry aged to perfection in a cool, dark, and dry place," user Ariel Williams said.

Flickr/Krista

Clams and pizza — it may sound like a strange combination, but people from all over the country visit Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, just for their signature white clam pizza.

"Ahh, the beautiful union of olive oil, oregano, scamorza cheese, garlic, little neck clams, and the greatest pizza crust known to man. [Frank Pepe's is] the pizza that Frank Sinatra and Ronald Reagan used to visit New Haven for," user Christopher VanLang said.

Photographyhappy/Shutterstock

"Washington state runs on salmon, not software. It powers our economy and orders our seasons," Quora user Poppy-Siddal said. "We're just as likely to have salmon burgers on the grill all summer as beef or chicken."

Aimee M Lee/Shutterstock

Quora user Rhonda Mitchell described Creole food as using "humble ingredients combined to create extraordinary flavors."

Shutterstock/Ezume Images

Quora user Max Wyss admitted that while not always perfectly executed, New England clam chowder can be "a revelation" when done right.

zingyyellow...!/Flickr

Kat Tanaka Okopnik admitted that this classic New York dessert is best in its "simplest forms."

Shutterstock/Brent Hofacker

User Christopher Stanton described the best way to enjoy traditional Southern barbecue.

"Texas recipe beef brisket plus sides of Original Pantry Coleslaw and some classic potato salad (drizzled with barbecue sauce — don't knock it until you've tried it)," he said of his favorite way to enjoy the cuisine.

Flickr/ralphandjenny

Key limes are local to the Florida Keys, and they make all the difference in this dish.

Flickr/muffinn

Christopher Stanton wrote that "well-buttered San Francisco sourdough French bread" is a delicious local delicacy. Many believe that it dates back to the gold rush, when Basque migrants first started making it using the natural yeasts and bacteria in the air for fermentation.

JoshBerglund19/Flickr

If you're in Philadelphia, a Philly cheese steak is a must. The classic sammie is made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak covered in melted cheese in a long roll.

Wikimedia Commons

"My favorite is to sprinkle a little sugar and cinnamon on it fresh and sizzling hot from cooking," Quora user Ariel Williams said of the Native American dish, which is essentially a flat dough bread, fried or deep-fried.

Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock

The traditionally Polish dumpling, which can be filled with anything from ground meat and cheese to fruit, is "standard fare at just about any outdoor event" in the Pittsburgh area, according to Quora user Ann Litz.

vxla/Flickr

Marian Knowles commented on the deliciously addictive deep-fried choux pastry on Quora. "You have to be quick at my table or you're out of luck," she said.

SEE ALSO:We tried breakfast sandwiches from 6 fast food chains — here's the only one you should buy