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If you've never tasted Southern food , then you don't know what you're missing. But truth be told, chances are you already have enjoyed Southern food but just didn't know it.

There's a distinct cuisine in the Southern United States that is best represented by Soul food, Creole, Cajun, Tex-Mex and Floribbean. Naturally, this food was heavily influenced by the cuisine of many groups that have inhabited the area throughout history, including African-American, Native American, British, Irish, French and Spanish cuisine.

Mint juleps, pecan pie, country ham, chicken-fried steak, grits, biscuits, especially with gravy or sorghum, sweet tea, pit barbeque, catfish, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, fried chicken, okra, butter beans, pinto beans, "greens", and black eyed peas are other types of food that are associated with the South.

There are food chains that specialize in Southern food too, such as Cracker Barrel, that have been quite profitable catering to a special niche. Their reach has extended beyond the South and into the mainstream American markets. Other nationally popular Southern chains are Stuckey's and Popeye's which are known for their "pecan shoppe" and spicy fried chicken, respectively. Meanwhile, there are also national chains that are now considered mainstream but have Southern roots including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Krystal, Shoney's, the Waffle House and Hardee's. The popular donut chain Krispy Kreme also has its roots in the South.

In addition, there are chains that specialize in Southern food that have decided to cater solely to the Southern market, such as Po' Folks and Famous Amos as well as Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q,

Within the South itself, food tends to vary by region. In Southern Louisiana, for example, Cajun and Creole food is very popular. Soul food is generally associated with black communities but is also enjoyed by others in the South. North Carolina and South Carolina have traditionally been rice-loving locales while people in North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas just love their barbecues. Virginia is the home of those famous Smithfield hams while Louisiana is renowed for its hot sauces. Florida is where you can trace the roots of Key Lime Pie, while it's peaches and peanuts in Georgia. Texas is famous for its chili while Kentucky has its Burgoo.