Skip to Content

Enticing Edible Souvenirs from Every State in the U.S.A.

Seek out an edible souvenir from your Summer travels. Here's what to buy in every state in America.
By Nicole Perry
<p>Since it'd be tricky to transport a slab of BBQ-sauce slathered ribs, do the next best thing and bring back a taste of Dreamland Bar-B-Que — a much-loved Alabama BBQ chain —with <a href="http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/Catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx?CID=7" target="_blank">Dreamland BBQ Sauce</a> (from $3).</p>
Put down the baseball caps, shot glasses, and other tchotchkes at the gift shop — they'll just gather dust. Instead, seek out an edible souvenir from your summer travels. Whether you're traversing through the Pacific Northwest, Deep South, New England, or elsewhere in our fair nation, there's sure to be a transportable treat that promises to serve as a mouthwatering reminder of your travels. Bonus: these edible finds serve as thoughtful thank-you gifts, too. Can't get enough? There are even more regional eats to order for yourself or present as thoughtful gifts.
1

Alabama: Dreamland BBQ Sauce

<p>Since it'd be tricky to transport a slab of BBQ-sauce slathered ribs, do the next best thing and bring back a taste of Dreamland Bar-B-Que — a much-loved Alabama BBQ chain —with <a href="http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/Catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx?CID=7" target="_blank">Dreamland BBQ Sauce</a> (from $3).</p>

Since it'd be tricky to transport a slab of BBQ-sauce slathered ribs, do the next best thing and bring back a taste of Dreamland Bar-B-Que — a much-loved Alabama BBQ chain —with Dreamland BBQ Sauce (from $3).

2

Alabama: Tucker Pecans

<p>Your house sitter will go nuts for <a href="http://tuckerpecan.com/product-detail/category/classic-tins-natural" target="_blank">Tucker Pecans</a> ($42 for 2 pounds). For an extra-special touch, enclose a recipe for gooey pecan pie. </p>

Your house sitter will go nuts for Tucker Pecans ($42 for 2 pounds). For an extra-special touch, enclose a recipe for gooey pecan pie.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Alaska: Alaska Chip Co. Grizzly Barbecue Chips

<p>Extra-thick (and extra-crunchy), <a href="http://www.akchip.com/our_chips.html#grizzly" target="_blank">Alaska Chip Company Grizzly Barbecue Chips</a> ($33 for 15 bags) will give 'em a taste of Alaska while satisfying salty-snack cravings.</p>

Extra-thick (and extra-crunchy), Alaska Chip Company Grizzly Barbecue Chips ($33 for 15 bags) will give 'em a taste of Alaska while satisfying salty-snack cravings.

4

Arizona: Poore Brothers Chips

<p>Arizona-made <a href="http://www.inventurefoods.com/brand-poore-brothers/three-cheese-jalapeno" target="_blank">Poore Brothers Chips</a> ($2 each in stores, or <a href="http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/204837/Poore-Brothers-Original-Kettle-Potato-Chips-1-Ounce-72-per-case.htm" target="_blank">$32 for 72</a>) bring the flavor in zesty options like Sweet Chili & Red Pepper and Three Cheese Jalapeño.</p>
Instagram/cmgambi

Arizona-made Poore Brothers Chips ($2 each in stores, or $32 for 72) bring the flavor in zesty options like Sweet Chili & Red Pepper and Three Cheese Jalapeño.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Arkansas: Diamond Bear Beer

<p>Stop by <a href="http://www.diamondbear.com/" target="_blank">Diamond Bear</a> in Little Rock, AK, for a brewery tour, then tote home a six-pack of IPA (about $9) for a frothy, fizzy souvenir. </p>

Stop by Diamond Bear in Little Rock, AK, for a brewery tour, then tote home a six-pack of IPA (about $9) for a frothy, fizzy souvenir.

6

California: Tcho Chocolate

<p>Prefer a bar that's nutty, fruity, bright, or more classically chocolaty? There's a chocolate that'll please anyone's palate in this boxed set from San Francisco-based <a href="http://www.tcho.com/shop/chocolate/assortments/clear-six" target="_blank">Tcho Chocolate</a> ($6). </p>

Prefer a bar that's nutty, fruity, bright, or more classically chocolaty? There's a chocolate that'll please anyone's palate in this boxed set from San Francisco-based Tcho Chocolate ($6).

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

California: Philz Coffee

<p>Brighten up mornings with a bag of beans from Northern California's Philz Coffee. Our top pick: <a href="http://www.philzcoffee.com/Online-Store/Medium-Roast-Blends/Philz-Coffee-Tesora" target="_blank">Tesora</a> ($16 for 1 pound), a rich, nutty medium roast that's one of the chain's most popular blends.</p>
Instagram/mannya326

Brighten up mornings with a bag of beans from Northern California's Philz Coffee. Our top pick: Tesora ($16 for 1 pound), a rich, nutty medium roast that's one of the chain's most popular blends.

8

California: See's Candy

<p>Gallivanted about California, and forgot to grab an edible memento? See's Candy is available in many airport gift shops throughout the state. Snag a box of <a href="http://www.sees.com/prod.cfm/Best_Sellers/Nuts_Chews" target="_blank">Nuts and Chews</a> ($18 for a 1 pound box), or any of their many other assortments and you'll have your bases covered. </p>

Gallivanted about California, and forgot to grab an edible memento? See's Candy is available in many airport gift shops throughout the state. Snag a box of Nuts and Chews ($18 for a 1 pound box), or any of their many other assortments and you'll have your bases covered.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Colorado: Chocolove Chocolate

<p>For a sweet taste of Colorado, surprise with an assortment of <a href="https://www.chocolove.com/chocolate.html" target="_blank">Chocolove Chocolate Bars</a> (from $34 for 12) in flavors like Almonds & Sea Salt, Ginger in Dark Chocolate, or Pretzel in Milk Chocolate. </p>

For a sweet taste of Colorado, surprise with an assortment of Chocolove Chocolate Bars (from $34 for 12) in flavors like Almonds & Sea Salt, Ginger in Dark Chocolate, or Pretzel in Milk Chocolate.

10

Colorado: Black Forest Bison Sausage

<p>Give the avid carnivore in your life a charcuterie-platter ready <a href="http://blackforestbison.com/shop.php#remote-tab-2" target="_blank">Black Forest Bison Summer Sausage</a> ($12) sourced from a Colorado bison ranch. </p>

Give the avid carnivore in your life a charcuterie-platter ready Black Forest Bison Summer Sausage ($12) sourced from a Colorado bison ranch.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Connecticut: Bridgewater Chocolates

<p>For chocolate with a storied pedigree, bring back a box of treats from Bridgewater Chocolates, a Connecticut favorite founded by one of Aquavit's former chefs (the same New York City restaurant where Marcus Samuelsson honed his skills). Our suggestion: <a href="http://www.bridgewaterchocolate.com/toffee/10-oz-toffee.html" target="_blank">Bridgewater Chocolate's Toffee</a> ($22), or any of their variety of truffles, marzipan, and chocolates. </p>

For chocolate with a storied pedigree, bring back a box of treats from Bridgewater Chocolates, a Connecticut favorite founded by one of Aquavit's former chefs (the same New York City restaurant where Marcus Samuelsson honed his skills). Our suggestion: Bridgewater Chocolate's Toffee ($22), or any of their variety of truffles, marzipan, and chocolates.

12

Delaware: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

<p>Bring back a few bottles of <a href="http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Beer/Craft-Brew/Dogfish-Head-Brewing-Company/Dogfish-Head-90-Minute-IPA/22455" target="_blank">Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA</a> ($11 for 4), a smooth, creamy, and mildly bitter IPA. Not a fan of the hoppy style? The Delaware-based craft brewery boasts plenty of other options.</p>
Anna Monette Roberts

Bring back a few bottles of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ($11 for 4), a smooth, creamy, and mildly bitter IPA. Not a fan of the hoppy style? The Delaware-based craft brewery boasts plenty of other options.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Florida: Intoxi-Tators Especially Spicy Bloody Mary Potato Chips

<p>Inspired by classic salty tipples like margaritas and bloody Marys, <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/intoxitatorsnet/home" target="_blank">Intoxi-Tators</a> (from $1; look for them in stores) are an unusual taste of Southern Florida. </p>

Inspired by classic salty tipples like margaritas and bloody Marys, Intoxi-Tators (from $1; look for them in stores) are an unusual taste of Southern Florida.

14

Georgia: Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws

<p>If you're bringing back a souvenir for someone with a solid sense of humor, consider <a href="http://www.bodaciousfoods.com/pages/shop4pack.html" target="_blank">Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws</a> ($20 for four boxes) — they promise to taste as delicious as they proclaim.</p>

If you're bringing back a souvenir for someone with a solid sense of humor, consider Geraldine's Bodacious Food Company's Cheese Straws ($20 for four boxes) — they promise to taste as delicious as they proclaim.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Hawaii: Li Hing Mui Sour Candy

<p>Li hing mui, a sour, plum-based powder popular throughout Hawaii and some Asian countries may shock on first taste, but that's half the fun. For a subtle introduction to it, give them <a href="https://www.wholesaleunlimitedhawaii.com/shop/product.php?sc=8&pr=516&pc=638" target="_blank">Li Hing Sour Mix</a> ($4) — sour gummy candies dusted in the powder. Those with more adventurous palates will appreciate extra-zesty <a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB0091M2L46%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26camp%3D1789%26creative%3D390957%26creativeASIN%3DB0091M2L46%26linkCode%3Das2%26tag%3Dpopsho-20" target="_blank">Li Hing Mui Dried Plums</a> ($17).</p>

Li hing mui, a sour, plum-based powder popular throughout Hawaii and some Asian countries may shock on first taste, but that's half the fun. For a subtle introduction to it, give them Li Hing Sour Mix ($4) — sour gummy candies dusted in the powder. Those with more adventurous palates will appreciate extra-zesty Li Hing Mui Dried Plums ($17).

16

Keep the Roadtrip Going

<p>Prefer a bar that's nutty, fruity, bright, or more classically chocolaty? There's a chocolate that'll please anyone's palate in this boxed set from San Francisco-based <a href="http://www.tcho.com/shop/chocolate/assortments/clear-six" target="_blank">Tcho Chocolate</a> ($6). </p>

There's plenty of noteworthy edibles to enjoy as you're flying cross-country. Let POPSUGAR tell you what to pack and where to stop for good eats:

Check Out More Edible Souvenirs

11 Sandwiches That Travel Well

Car-Friendly Foods That Travel Well

Watch Next 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below