10 Viral Foods You’ll Want to Try in the U.S. (They’re Actually Worth It)

It’s hard to predict the next viral foods in the U.S., but when they take off—they can cause quite the culinary craze! Remember the cronut? Or how quickly everyone went out and bought the ingredients for that baked feta pasta dish? And who could forget the iconic avocado toast, which finds itself on just about every breakfast menu in the nation these days. Love them or leave them, there are some viral foods that are worth trying, and we tracked them down. 

From sweet to savory, these viral restaurants in the U.S. all have one thing in common: they’re serving up some of the most unique foods in America, and they’ve got some viral foods worth trying.

1. Pie Crust Cookies, Janie’s, New York City

Take one bite of the incredible pie crust cookie, and you’ll never settle for ordinary cookies again. Born out of one woman’s passion for baking, Janie’s fame quickly rose when the viral pie crust cookie was born, earning endless accolades, including a top 20 cookie in New York City status by NPR’s Gothamist. There are four locations around New York City, plus they offer nationwide shipping. Visit Janie’s website to learn more. If you're craving more only-in-New-York bites, one of the best food halls in New York is also worth the trip.

2. Birria Tacos, Ed Fernandez Birrieria, San Diego

Birria made a splash in the viral food scene, and it seemed like everyone was buying those birria bombs to make them at home. Of course, something as flavor-packed as birria needs to be left to the pros, and no one makes a better birria taco than the Ed Fernandez Restaurant in San Diego. It all starts with a slow-cooked beef stew flavored with the perfect balance of chiles and spices. It’s not spicy; it’s bold. We won’t judge you if you drink the broth.

3. Brisket, Franklin Barbecue, Austin

BBQ is one of the most famous foods in America. Anytime you’re passing through one of the big BBQ states, you’ve just got to make a pit stop and savor the flavors. For those in Austin, you won’t find better BBQ brisket than Franklin Barbecue. What started as a small barbecue trailer on the side of the interstate in 2009 has grown to become one of the best BBQ restaurants in Texas. Everyone from Jimmy Kimmel to Anthony Bourdain to even former President Obama has sung its praises. Owner and pitmaster Aaron Franklin was the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef and was also inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2020. If you can't make it to Austin, this Texas barbecue restaurant is also worth crossing state lines for.

4. Lobster Roll, Luke's Lobster, Multiple Locations

Lobster rolls are one of those famous foods in America that have stood the test of time. I lived in Boston for five years and can confidently claim I’ve eaten my fair share of lobster rolls, and Luke’s does it better than most. Maybe that’s why they are the official lobster roll of the Boston Red Sox! Luke’s Lobster originally opened its doors in New York City in 2009, and quickly expanded to include locations all over the country and even a few international spots! If you can’t swing by a Luke’s Lobster location, you can always pick up a lobster roll kit from the website. 

5. Ice Cream, Salt & Straw, Multiple Locations

Salt & Straw became one of the most Instagrammable foods in the U.S. thanks to its colorful (and tasty!) ice cream flavors. What sets Salt & Straw apart from the rest is simple: local ingredients, small batch, made in-house. They use ice cream as the canvas to tell a story. The milk comes from the fifth-generation, family-owned Scott Brothers Dairy. Wild nettles foraged in Washington, a local creamery’s habanero goat cheese. They keep everything as close to home as possible, weaving an intricate flavor profile into every caramel ribbon scoop. Some of the most unique flavors include strawberry pretzel salad, pear and blue cheese, and goat cheese marionberry habanero. There are Salt & Straw locations peppered across the nation, but you can always order online and get a few pints shipped right to your door.

6. Nashville Hot Chicken, Hattie B’s, Multiple Locations

Nashville is known for many things, and the music scene is just the tip of the iceberg. The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is easy to find on menus all across town, but when you want the best hot chicken sandwich, you go to Hattie B’s. You can pick your spice level, which ranges from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up, which might feel like you’re on an episode of Hot Ones. I’d recommend going with medium or hot and embracing the tangy, spicy kick that only a Nashville hot chicken sandwich can bring. The good news is that there are several Hattie B’s locations around the country, with more to come!

7. Dole Whip, Dole, Multiple Locations

If you’ve ever been to Disney, you know the hype that Dole Whip brings to the culinary scene. It’s easily one of the most refreshing beverages on a hot summer day. While Disney may be the first place you think of, you can get Dole Whip across multiple locations in Hawaii, including the famous Dole Plantation in Wahiawa. If you want to try its dairy-based cousin, check out all of the Dole Serve locations.

8. Hot Cheetos Burrito, Fatima’s Grill, Multiple Locations

Fusion restaurants are a new type of restaurant popping up across the country, and we love it. Fatima’s Grill is a Mexican and Mediterranean fusion restaurant where you can savor the best of both worlds—literally! The signature Hot Cheetos burrito is easily one of the best viral foods to try, especially for foodies who like a little spice. Fatima’s has locations in California, New York, Michigan, and Ohio.

9. Korean Corn Dogs, Two Hands Corn Dogs, Multiple Locations

Korean corn dogs took over social media with their stretchy, cheese-pull centers and endlessly customizable coatings, and Two Hands Corn Dogs has become a go-to spot to try them. Skewered and deep-fried to order, each corn dog can be rolled in potato cubes, panko, or sugar for a sweet-and-savory crunch that's tailor-made for a food video. With locations popping up across several states, it's easy to see why this street food favorite keeps racking up views.

10. Rainbow Bagels, Liberty Bagels, New York City

Long before rainbow foods were an Instagram staple, Liberty Bagels was swirling together a tie-dye bagel stuffed with Funfetti cream cheese. The eye-catching bagel became a must-see stop for food tourists visiting New York City, and it still draws lines out the door. It's proof that sometimes the most viral foods are the ones that simply look as fun as they taste. While you're in the city, don't miss the New York deli that's worth crossing state lines for, or treat yourself to some of the best New York comfort food around.

How many of these viral foods have you tried? If you need something to wash it down, you can't go wrong with a dirty soda. This viral food trend swept social media by storm, with countless creators flocking to Swig locations to try one of its unique beverages.