Illinois And Iowa’s Favorite Comfort Foods In 2025 Are Fall Classics

Now that the concept of a summer body is out of the way, it's time to snack.

We all have that one food that fills our hearts along with our bellies. It's the sigh after a long day at work. It's curling up with that one plate of comfort food, content as can be.

Reader's Digest paired up with Taste of Home to figure out each state's favorite comfort food for 2025. And most of them are things these specific states are known for. Like Wisconsin (the home of Culver's) loves butter burgers.

Illinois

To the surprise of no one, Illinois' favorite comfort food was, of course:

Deep dish pizza. Of course, it's the home of Chicago-style. It seems like deep dish pizza is one of those things you either really love or really hate. I know some people will only go for deep dish, whereas I can't stand it.

Iowa

Staying true to school lunches (and it's own competition at the Iowa State Fair), Iowa's favorite comfort food are chili and cinnamon rolls.

I have to admit, I had never heard of this combination until I moved to the Midwest. But it just sounds warm and satisfying. You get both savory and sweet? Yes please!

It's believed that the chili and cinnamon roll got it's start in Iowa school lunchrooms because lunch programs were trying to stretch their budgets and meet early school dietary guidelines that included a serving of "bread or grain products" and 2-ounces of "protein-rich foods".