Alabama Restaurant Meal Named Among ‘Most Iconic’ in America

We all have that hometown dish we swear by, but is it legendary enough to snag a spot on the most iconic meals list?

The Daily Meal has defined what makes a dish iconic in five core areas.

• #1 – “If it's been around for decades.”
• #2 – “If it's so good that it's put the restaurant that serves it on the map and influenced others, it might be an icon.”
• #3 – The dish is “so popular it’s now a household name.”
• #4 – If it’s a “rendition of a classic food” and people come from “miles around to taste it.”
• #5 – A “must-order” menu item.

To narrow their list down to 101 dishes, The Daily Meal had to set a few ground rules. Every dish that made the list is savory and can be served as either an appetizer or a main course.

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Now, the big question is, did any meals from Alabama make the "The 101 Most Iconic Restaurant Dishes in America” list?

First, let's see if any of my favorite restaurant dishes made it onto this 101 must-try list.

For me, an iconic meal is more than just food on a plate—it’s an experience. It’s the perfect mix of flavors, textures, and presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

I was pretty happy that a favorite Florida restaurant made the list. If you are ever in Miami, visit Joe’s Stone Crab and get yourself a heaping plate of Stone Crab Claws.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous in Memphis, Tennessee, made the iconic list. It’s a great place for ribs and has been in business for over 60 years.

Joe's Pizza is the go-to spot for a great slice of New York City-style pizza. I was thrilled they made the list.

Another friend favorite is Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles in California. They made this list for their chicken and waffles, but trust me on this: Get the greens, too.

You can’t leave New York without visiting Gray’s Papaya, which made the list for their iconic hot dog and a papaya drink. It sounds odd, but trust me, it works.

Alabama Restaurant Meal Named Among ‘Most Iconic’ in America

Only one Alabama restaurant made the list of 101 named locations for having an iconic meal.

Big Bob Gibson

Decatur, Alabama

ICONIC MEAL > Hickory Smoked BAR-B-Q Chicken

Daily Meal said that the restaurant is known for its “Alabama-style white sauce, a tangy concoction that best complements his smoked chicken. Since its introduction, it's become one of America's most iconic barbecue and chicken dishes. Half-chickens are smoked low and slow over hickory and dunked in a zippy mayo-based sauce before serving.”