The one item death row inmates cannot request for their last meal as most popular choices are revealed

If you were on death row, what would you choose as your last meal on earth?

It's a question many of us are asked, which often leaves us scratching our heads.

The notorious 'Killer Clown' John Wayne Gacy Jr. requested a bucket of KFC original recipe chicken, 12 fried shrimp, french fries, and a pound of strawberries. The Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh chose a simple dessert for his last meal: two pints of mint chocolate-chip ice cream.

More audacious final orders came from Lawrence Russell Brewer, who was convicted of a racially motivated murder.

Brewer ordered an astronomically large feast, including two chicken-fried steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, and a Pizza Hut meat lover's pizza. He ultimately didn't eat it. His excess directly led the state of Texas to abolish the last meal tradition.

Lawrence Russel Brewer's death row meal choices got Texas to change their rules forever (Photo By Buck Kelly/Getty Images)

Which states still allow a final meal request?

Approximately 12 U.S. states still allow death row inmates to request a special final meal.

Among states that maintain capital punishment, some place strict price limits (such as Florida’s $40 cap or Oklahoma’s $25 limit), while others strictly serve standard prison cafeteria food without exceptions. There is one thing that is unilaterally banned from all final meal requests.

The one item death row inmates cannot request for their last meal as most popular choices are revealed

What can't you have in your final meal?

And that's alcohol. Most prisons count booze as 'contraband', and aren't allowed to have it inside the jail. Tobacco is also included in the list of forbidden items.

It's believed the last prisoner granted the luxury of a 'nip of brandy' was Manuel Fernandez in 1835, who also puffed away on a cigar in his final moments.

Fried food was the most commonly-featured (Getty Stock)

What are the most popular death row meals?

In a study of 193 last meals collected by Cornell University, the majority included steaks, pizzas, hamburgers, and sodas.

If one word is repeated more than any other, it's "fried": fried chicken, fried chicken steaks, French fries, and fried seafood are common last meal requests.

These items are heavily preferred because they are nostalgic, simple, and high in fat and sodium, which can bring comfort to individuals experiencing high levels of stress.

Popular foods and beverages frequently chosen by inmates include:

• Steak (often T-bone or ribeye), bacon cheeseburgers, and fried chicken or chicken fried steak.
• French fries, mashed potatoes, onion rings, and a side of fresh vegetables or salad.
• Ice cream (especially chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip), apple pie, and various cakes.
• Sodas (like root beer and cola), iced tea, or fruit-flavored drinks (like Kool-Aid).