The Most Popular 4th of July Dish in Every U.S. State

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, the 4th of July smells like smoke—and not just from sparklers. Smoked mullet is a salt-sprayed tradition here, beloved by anglers and beach families alike. This oily, often-overlooked fish becomes a delicacy when slow-smoked over native hardwoods, such as oak or citrus.

It’s served with crackers, sliced onions, hot sauce, and maybe a scoop of grits on the side. Why mullet? Because it’s local, plentiful, and ruggedly Floridian. Generations of fishermen turned a humble catch into a holiday must-have, one flaky bite at a time. It’s beach food. It’s bold. And yes, it’s delicious.