From Timothy McVeigh’s request for two pints of chocolate chip ice cream to Ted Bundy’s desire for a classic breakfast, including steak and eggs, throughout history, Americans have been fascinated with the concept of a final meal.
Ever since these final picks were shared with the world, many people have been pondering the concept themselves. We felt that these choices shouldn’t just be left to those in prison, however, as many people have considered what foods and drinks they’d want one last time before leaving this Earth.
That’s why the team at Choice Mutual set out to learn what Americans’ top choices for their last meal would be. We surveyed residents in every state to determine which foods and drinks they would ask for if they knew it would be their last. We then analyzed the data and grouped similar foods into categories to identify trends. Read on to learn which items made it on the menu.
The Most Popular Foods for Americans’ Final Feast
In most cases, we don’t get to choose our last meal on Earth, but what if we could? For a majority of Americans, a steak dinner sounds ideal. From filet mignon wagyu to a classic ribeye, this red meat would be on most plates across the country.
A steak dinner is only a dinner, however, when accompanied by tasty sides, and for most people, potatoes would be their first choice. Whether baked and fully loaded or roasted with garlic, the starchy side is worthy of being on the plate for last meals in the U.S.
Third on our list are pasta and noodle dishes, which includes everything from chicken alfredo to ramen. That is followed by a classic favorite — pizza. Whether you like to push the boundaries with pineapple or prefer a simple topping like pepperoni, you would certainly not be alone in selecting pizza for your final meal.
Rounding out our top 5 may surprise you, as this food item would happily be omitted from most people’s everyday plates: vegetables. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans… a little green on your plate is good for your health, but for many Americans, they taste good enough to eat one last time in this lifetime.
When identifying the most popular last meal foods by state, six items shared the spotlight. Overall, steak claimed the top spot in 25 states and tied with another dish in two more. In second place were pasta and noodle dishes, which ranked first in 8 states and tied in two more. Next up, was a side that could be turned into an entree depending on the toppings, potatoes. The spud landed in the number one spot in 4 states and tied in six.
Then pizza claimed first for final meals in Wisconsin and tied in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, and Mississippi. In Maryland, potatoes and vegetables reign supreme for side dishes in a final meal.
In addition to the specific foods, we also asked respondents to consider the type of food they would want, and we discovered that a majority (38%) would pick their favorite dish. Following closely behind, we found that more than a third of people would choose a familiar food they eat for comfort.
For 1 in 6 Americans, a fancy dish would be their pick for their last meal. From lobster tails to caviar, if given the choice, why wouldn’t you indulge in a pricier menu? Rounding out the list, we found that 1 in 8 people would choose a sentimental dish, like something from their childhood. At the same time, only 1% would take the opportunity to try something new and unusual.
After learning about the foods Americans would want, we turned our attention to who they would like to cook for them. To our surprise, a majority (37%) of people say it doesn’t matter who makes it as long as it tastes good. In second place was a less surprising response, as nearly 1 in 3 people would choose a family member or loved one to cook for them.
While the likelihood of it happening is uncertain, 1 in 6 Americans say they wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a celebrity chef like Gordon Ramsay cook their final meal. Rounding out the list, we found that 1 in 9 people would choose a chef from their favorite restaurant, while 7% would opt to cook it themselves.
The Beverages Americans Would Want for Their Last Meal
With all these tasty dishes, it only makes sense that we discuss the drinks Americans would want to wash it all down. Up first, as the number one choice is soda. However, we couldn’t just leave it there. We had to identify the most popular brands picked.
Up first was Coca-Cola, beating out Pepsi, which ranked fourth. That was followed by Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke, both known to have quite a fan base, so it only makes sense that they would be part of last meals across the U.S.
Coming in second for the most popular drinks overall was wine. Whether you are a fan of red, white, or pink wine, you would not be alone if you decided a glass was crucial for your final dining experience. Wrapping up the top three for beverages is more on the simpler side, but is sure to keep you hydrated in your final minutes — water.
Depending on how much you eat, you may choose a variety of drinks to wash it all down. For the majority of Americans who say they would eat two times as much as normal for their last meal, we think at least two drinks will be necessary.
Similar to the foods selected, we also uncovered the most popular beverages by state. It was not a competition, however, as soda ranked first in every part of the country. Because of this, we decided to identify the second most popular beverage by state.
With soda removed, wine was a runaway favorite, claiming 17 states and tying for first in another 8 states. Up next was tea, which was a runner-up to soda in 8 states and tied in two others as well. Wrapping up the top 3, well technically 4 if you count soda, is water. The beverage claimed the top spot in 7 states and tied in 5 more.
Conclusion
From considering what foods you would want one last time to the places you’d like to travel, it is common to reflect on the end of our lives. At Choice Mutual, we help to take care of the less glamorous aspects like final expense insurance so that you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
So whether you are planning ahead for yourself or are looking for assistance with an elderly loved one, we’re here to help. Our team of experts can help you with everything from understanding the basics of burial insurance to obtaining the end-of-life resources you need, like cost breakdowns and grief support.
Methodology
In this study, we set out to learn what Americans would want as their last meal if they had to choose. To do this, we surveyed Americans in every state and asked what they would want to eat and drink. We then analyzed responses to identify trends in meal choices and simplified groupings based on cuisine type, main ingredient, and meal of the day (i.e., breakfast). Using this data, we then ranked the most popular food and drinks chosen by Americans for their last meal.
