While LA's In-n-Out Burger is a must-do, the USA has a huge range of culinary treats to tempt you. Photo / Getty Images
When you're heading to the almighty US of A, you'd better touch down with an empty stomach - there are more tastebud-tantalising offerings here than you can dream of.
We're not just talking about an all-American hamburger and fries from an iconic chain like In-N-Out or Fatburger - although no trip to the US is complete without finding out the true meaning of 'Animal Style' at In-N-Out.
Here are our top stops for the best finger-licking foods in the Land of Stars of Stripes.
In the Californian desert oasis, Palm Springs, organic date farms produce over 18 million kilos of some of the best looking and best tasting dates in the world. In addition to hosting one of the most famous music festivals in the universe, the Coachella Valley is also the 'Date Capital of the World' - and traditional date shakes are a must-try for any visitor.
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A creamy thick shake comprised of dates, milk and ice cream, date shakes have become a signature drink in the region. Head to the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for an affogato-style date shake with espresso - heaven!
Known as the BBQ Capital of the World, meat lovers will find themselves in paradise in Texas. With well over 2000 BBQ joints covering this vast state, it's hard to know where to start. Thankfully, the team over at Texas Monthly has recently released The List: The Top 50 Barbeque Joints in Texas, with Snow's BBQ coming out on top.
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In the tiny pastoral town of Lexington, TX (population 1200), just over an hour outside of Austin, you'll find a charming red building lined with BBQ pits filled with meat carefully tended to by 82 year pitmaster, Tootsie Tomanetz. Her years of experience and love of meat is one of the reasons why Snow's offers some of the best BBQ Texas has to offer. As its only open Saturdays from 8am, best get there early as it closes at 1.30pm or till the meat runs out.
Who doesn't love the legendary ice cream chain famous the world over, Ben and Jerry's? It all started when friends Ben and Jerry opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, back in 1978.
View this post on InstagramAn activity that you and dad can both enjoy. #HappyFathersDay!
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In the early days, you could only get Ben and Jerry's in cups and cones from this scoop shop. Today it's a global brand, and fans can tour the Ben and Jerry's Westbury Factory and learn how such euphoric ice cream flavours are produced, from the legendary Phish Food to the celebrated Karamel Sutra.
Pronounced "Poh-kay", this unique Hawaiian delicacy is permeating foodie scenes around the globe. This ultra-healthy and delish dish is made from raw fish (typically Hawaiian ahi tuna) thrown together with a variety of sauces and garnishes such as nori, sesame seeds or shallots.
It is traditionally eaten on its own, however you can also find it served in bowl form with accompaniments such as rice or edamame. Many restaurants in Hawai'i have a signature poke dish on their menu, often boasting a unique twist on the traditional fare such as "poke tacos" or "poke pizza".
In Surf City USA, Huntington State Beach is famous for more than its epic waves and long-haired surfer dudes. Every evening after sundown, the coast lights up with 500 glowing bonfires where beach-goers roast traditional American s'mores.
Marshmallows are roasted over the fire until they're deliciously gooey, then sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. It's easy for visitors to get involved in the action - the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, offers beach bonfire packages including a 'beach butler' who will brings guests a portable fire pit, beach chairs, drinks and s'mores supplies.
One of the most famous bites to eat in Seattle is, oddly enough, the Cuban Roast Sandwich at Paseo, named the #3 must-eat place in the entire US by Yelp.
Paseo is a tiny little sandwich shop located in Fremont (they've also expanded to a location in Ballard) and has received lots of buzz and even earned a spot on Travel Channel's Chowdown Countdown - and all the media attention is deserved. Their towering sandwiches are a dazzling tribute to Caribbean and Cuban flavours.
In the Cowboy State of Wyoming, the west is still wild and there are ranches and rodeos aplenty. Perhaps surprisingly, there is also fantastic chocolate!
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Tim Kellogg is a full-time chocolatier and part-time cowboy, who started his business, Meeteetse Chocolatier to raise money for a new bronc saddle during the Cody Stampede. Fast-forward 13 years, and Tim's store offers some of the best huckleberry truffles and sage brownies in America.
Forget hotdogs and hamburgers; Baltimoreans' summertime food staple is crab. A traditional crab feast includes steamed Maryland blue crabs, corn-on-the-cob and local craft beer.
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In addition, Baltimore chefs serve some of the best crab cakes in the world - an absolute must on every foodies to-do list in the city. Head to Lexington Market's John W. Faidley's Seafood Bar to sample traditional Baltimore crab cakes created by a 1964 'secret recipe' that's had plenty of people talking.
In Downtown Los Angeles, visitors can get their sugar-fix from a cheeky pink ATM that doles out irresistible cakes and cookies instead of cash.
The world's first cupcake ATM, Sprinkles is open 24/7 and has a loyal following of fans including a number of celebrities who have been snapped giving it a whirl. The cupcakes are freshly baked and cost US$4.25.
No adventure in the state of New Mexico is complete without experiencing its cuisine. Unlike any other, it is a blend of flavours from Spanish and Native American cultures that has been perfected over the course of 400 years.
View this post on InstagramIt's NEW Mexican food. #NewMexicoTRUE | Photo: @jenjudgephoto | NewMexico.org
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At the centre of it all is the New Mexican chile (chilli), in both red and green varieties, which is used in everything from enchiladas to ice cream.
• For more information on going on a culinary adventure across the USA, head to Visit the USA.
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