Here is a simplified regional map of the United States. Most Americans see the US as what is displayed here. The US is a very big place; each region is different in terms of food. For example, BBQ in the South is exceptional. However, finding excellent Mexican and Asian cuisine in the South is more difficult than in the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. High-quality Italian food is easy to find in the Northeast, but is more difficult to find in the area where the Southwest meets the Rocky Mountain West.

This is due to historical immigration patterns and where people settled in the past. That being said, people move all over the US all the time. Finding more diverse food in each region is becoming more common.