Despite the growing number of chain restaurants across America, regional cuisine remains as vast as our continent is wide. After all, there are whole TV shows dedicated to traveling for a taste of each state's authentic and iconic dishes, but to know the history behind their creation is another story. For instance, do you know who invented the first Philly cheesesteak? How about the California Cobb salad? We've gathered 50 dishes from 50 states to prime you about the dishes you love. Be forewarned: this slideshow will make you hungry.

— With Haley Lyndes Susannah Chen, Nancy Einhart, Lauren Hendrickson, Nicole Perry, and Sara Yoo