By Zac Linzmeier., Contributing writer

The Oregon coast, home to the scenic US 101 highway and some of the most picturesque coastal terrain in the Pacific Northwest, is famous for its excellent clam chowder. With fresh clams just a stone's throw away, Oregon's fresh clam chowder rivals that of New England. While clam chowder can be found in just about any little diner with a beautiful view, Mo's Restaurant boasts the title of "World Famous Clam Chowder," and for good reason. According to the Oregonian, Mo's clam chowder, "is neither too thick nor too thin, Mo's chowder is a monument to the pleasures of simplicity." Mo's is the local's pick for the coastal favorite dish of clam chowder.

Dungeness Crab

If clam chowder fails to appeal to your palate, then you may want to consider another coastal favorite: Dungeness crab. Fresh from the turbulent waters of Oregon's coast comes one of the state's favorite sea foods, ideal for a wide array of tasty dishes. Fresh Dungeness crab can be found in anything from pasta to salads, but is enjoyed locally straight from the shell. If you are looking for the full experience, then the Embarcadero in Newport even provides crab pots and a cooker for the do-it-yourselfer in the bunch. Few seafoods measure up to Oregon's fresh Dungeness crab, no matter how you choose to enjoy it.

Marionberry Pie

Marionberry pie, so named for Marion County (which encompasses Oregon's capital of Salem), is another traditional Oregon dish that is a favorite among many locals. The Marionberry is a local Oregon blackberry hybrid that was originally created in Marion County in 1956 as a tasty commercial adaptation of Oregon's wild blackberry, according to the Portland Tribune. Marionberry pie utilizes fresh berries from the heart of Oregon itself, making it a favorite local dessert. Any restaurant you stop in, from a greasy spoon to an upscale, elegant eatery, is sure to offer this little slice of heaven. If you are looking for a dessert to finish off the perfect meal, consider this traditional Oregon favorite.

Hazelnut Pancakes

For breakfast you cannot go wrong with hazelnut pancakes. Hazelnuts, which are produced throughout Oregon's Willamette Valley, are a local favorite of many Oregon residents. Hazelnuts are used in everything from flour and nondairy milk to entrees. This is largely due to the fact that 99 percent of all of the nation's hazelnuts are produced in Oregon, according to the state government. A visit to the Willamette Valley can yield hazelnut pancakes in any number of trendy establishments.