We don't have to tell you that food is one of the best things about summer. Fruits and veggies are at their best (really, do you even want to bother eating a fresh tomato any other time of the year?), the steaming weather makes anything cold extra refreshing, and there's just something special about eating al fresco on a warm evening. So check out our summer food bucket list—and cross off every one of these tasty to-dos before Labor Day.
Mister Softee Soft-Serve Cone
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We can skip the chocolate cone dip, but no towering twist of soft-serve is complete without sprinkles. (Or jimmies, if you insist.)
Burgers and Ballpark Hot Dogs
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Nothing's more American than chowing down on some meat between a bun. Don't feel guilty—it's practically your patriotic duty.
Corn on the Cob
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You can't be dainty when gnawing on a buttery, salty ear of fresh corn (especially one that's hot off the grill). So don't even fight it.
Freshly-Squeezed Lemonade
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You know what they say: When life hands you lemons, make a refreshing glass of ice cold lemonade. (Maybe add some vodka to it, too.)
S’mores
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The ooey-gooey goodness of melted marshmallow, warm chocolate and crunchy graham cracker is, frankly, the only reason we go camping.
BLTs with Ripe Tomatoes
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We usually say bacon makes anything better, but at this time of year, the vine-ripened tomato is the star of this sandwich.
Fresh-Picked Strawberries
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Whether you plucked them at a strawberry patch or "picked" them up at the grocery store, the mouthwatering fruit screams summertime more than Will Smith.
Fish Tacos
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You don't have to be catching waves like a pro to nosh on this classic surf shack fare.
Funnel Cakes
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We're skipping the rides and getting in line for the sinfully good fried-dough foods at the fair: corn dogs on a stick, zeppole and, of course, funnel cakes.
Cherries
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Eating your way through a bowl of sweet, ruby-red Bing cherries will make you forget what a Snickers bar is. Maybe...
Cocktails in Coconuts
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Even if you're simply chilling in your own backyard, a teeny-tiny umbrella in your drink just makes life better.
Clams at a Clambake
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Forget the linguine and chowder: Clams never taste better than when they're boiled in sea water over a bonfire right on the beach.
Potato Salad (and Other BBQ Sides)
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Barbecues are like Thanksgiving. Sometimes your plate is so loaded up with the yummy sides—like creamy potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad and coleslaw, you're like, "where’s the beef?" Oops.
Sno-Cones
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It's totally okay to pay money for a cup of crushed ice.
Watermelon
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A slice of juicy watermelon bigger than your head makes up for the 8 months of freezing cold temps you have to endure the rest of the year.
A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.