Some cities are known for a particular food. Chicago's a legendary hot dog town, for instance. Philly has cheesesteaks. New Orleans has some serious sandwich cred (po' boys and muffulettas). But when searching for the best bites all over the country this year, we found some surprises. Pizza is proliferating in Portland, for instance, a city better known for its microbrews and microroast coffees. San Francisco (most people know it for sourdough) has an ascendant ice cream scene.

And there are other cities whose iconic eats may be known regionally but not by the nation at large. That's a shame. Follow along with us as we visit 8 cities and the dishes they're not known for.

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