Most states have their own iconic food: from Maine’s lobster roll to Missouri’s Kansas City barbecue to Florida’s key lime pie to Maryland’s crab cake to Illinois’ deep-dish pizza and beyond. However, Nevada seems to be the outcast of the group with no specific signature dish. In fact, in a fairly renowned publication, Nevada was ranked #49 with its signature dish listed as “Nothing.” That’s pretty sad, if you ask me. Therefore, I—and others, in fact—propose that the delicious shrimp cocktail be deemed the Silver State’s iconic food because, indeed, the world’s best shrimp cocktails can be found right here in Nevada.

Many publications have named the all-you-can-eat buffet as Nevada’s iconic state food. The problem is that this isn’t simply one food.

Anna Irene/Flickr

Even though Nevada is a landlocked state more than 200 miles from an ocean, Nevadans consume more shrimp per capita than the rest of the states combined.

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In fact, each year, 22 million pounds of shrimp are consumed in Las Vegas alone. That’s about 60,000 pounds DAILY.

WriterGal39/Flickr

So many of Nevada’s restaurants feature the traditional shrimp cocktail. A chilled and tangy blend of peeled shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon. Simple and delicious.

Scott Schiller/Flickr

The Mexican shrimp cocktail is also extremely popular. This more soupy, gazpacho-ish dish is a tasty blend of garlic, onion, celery, cilantro, tomato juice, clam juice cocktail, ketchup, lime juice, hot sauce, and horseradish. Of course, each restaurant (and individual) has their own unique recipe.

Chef Mick/Flickr

There are as many ways to make a shrimp cocktail as there are people who enjoy them. From the more basic…

Ming-yen Hsu/Flickr

…simple…

…no-nonsense…

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…to the slightly more exotic…

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…and ornate, the undeniable fact is that shrimp cocktails are absolutely delicious.

Rodfather/Flickr

There you have it. Millions of Nevadans can’t be wrong. Do you think Nevada has the world’s best shrimp cocktails? Where is your favorite, or would you like to share your killer recipe? Please share your thoughts below while I run out to fulfill my shrimp cocktail craving..

Anna Irene/Flickr

Laura Gilmore/Flickr

WriterGal39/Flickr

Scott Schiller/Flickr

Chef Mick/Flickr

Ming-yen Hsu/Flickr

alison fayre/Flickr

e.c.johnson/Flickr

Rodfather/Flickr

For some of the absolute best shrimp cocktails in the state, check out this article.

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