Maybe in some of the rural/upstate parts of NY state, apple dishes (muffins, pies, whatever) are common. Or apple donuts- those are popular at apple-picking places this time of year.

But if you're asking about "local" classic dishes in NYC?? J62 had it right - you don't want a muffin, you want a bagel. Or a black and white cookie. Or a pastrami (really any) sandwich from Katz's. Or a hot dog from Grey's Papaya. The Zabar's reco is great but it doesn't matter what you buy there - the experience is what's New York about it.

Have all the muffins you want while in Manhattan, and I'm sure there are nice ones at the better bakeries - just be aware that it will not be the equivalent of a lobster roll in Maine, gumbo in New Orleans, crab cakes in MD, etc.

One question. If the state muffin is apple and no one knows that fact, few eat them, and fewer actual know where to get them without guessing, why is it the state muffin?

One why would anyone care?

Aduchamp - It's the state muffin due to a creative civics lesson in which a North Syracuse fourth-grade class participated in 1987. Click on the links in my previous post to read about them :)

Disclaimer - I am not from Syracuse (or anywhere in New York), so no civic pride on display here!

Maybe there is a movie somewhere in easytraveler's trip - "The Muffins Take Manhattan"??

Yikes, Mario was manipulated by 4th graders. It is worse than I thought. If it occurred today the headline on Fox News would be "Cuomo seduced by 4th graders' muffins."

Thanks for the suggestion of NY bagels - I've already had those and they are great.

There are at least two other states with state muffins- Massachusetts has the corn muffin and Minnesota has the blueberry muffin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_foods

I was thinking that the best place to go get an apple muffin would be Yorkville-Manhattan. Seems like those old time German bakeries are disappearing. There's still Glaser's. If they don't have an apple muffin then maybe H&H Bagels might.

Cranachin: Funny! :) Maybe I will do a movie. I even know of a composer in LA who does music for teevee...it's an idea! "March of the Apple Muffins"

Two Little Red Hens happens to be in Yorkville but has nothing to do with German bakeries. They do happen to have excellent muffins (and other baked goods) although I've not had an apple muffin there nor do I know if they make them. (sounds really boring). http://www.twolittleredhens.com/ Apple Cinnamon muffins are sort of common but most people would prefer something else.

Thanks for all your help!

Here's the one and only apple muffin I found in the Big Apple:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/368294/index.html