American dishes may come in combinations that look weird from an outsider’s perspective, but you best believe that they taste amazing. If you’re planning a visit to the US, you should definitely try these 18 foods whenever you can; otherwise, you’re missing out!
Philly Cheese Steak
The authentic Philly cheese steak, preferably bought in Philadelphia, is a savory mixture of thin slices of ribeye steak topped with white American cheese and onions—all shoved into a short baguette. It’s been loved since brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri sold the first batch out of a stand in the 1930s.
Chicago Hot Dog
A big sports game or summer party in America is never complete without hot dogs at the ready! For a more unique American experience, the Chicago hot dog—which gives you a mouthful of onions, hot dogs, pickles, and savory spices—is a must-try.
Sourdough Bread
Alongside the flour and yeast in regular bread, American sourdough bread features salt fermented in lactic acid, which gives it a tangy, sour taste. What’s more, Business Insider considers this chewy bread to be even healthier than wheat bread, which is another reason why you have to get some for yourself!
Cheeseburger
Legend says that cheeseburgers started in 1924 in Pasadena, California—at The Rite Spot, where the hamburger with cheese first appeared on menus. Now, cheeseburgers have been a staple in American fast food culture for the past century; every restaurant has its own signature cheeseburgers, which you need to check out!
Moon Pie
Moon pie is an American snack that is most often found in the southern states. It’s made from two large, sweet-flavored Graham crackers filled with marshmallows. The moon pie is also covered in chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and salted caramel, giving you a variety of tasty options.
Chicago-Style Pizzas
Another dish straight out of Chicago is the thick-crusted, three-inch-tall deep-dish pizza topped with cheese, meat, vegetables, and sauce fillings. This 1943 innovation from Ike Sewell’s Uno’s Pizzeria is more filling than its Neapolitan counterpart, and while Italians may not consider it authentic, it’s certainly delicious!
Blueberry Cobbler
Cobblers are sweet, fruity desserts with thick-crusted tops that delight your taste buds upon every bite, and the blueberry cobbler takes this experience a notch up. We have them thanks to the Native Americans, who introduced blueberries to the British-American colony’s uncooked plain biscuits with scone batter recipe.
Gumbo
You won’t find Gumbo anywhere except in the US, so it’s a must-try! You’ll get a Creole stew of flavored chicken, ham, or seafood mixed with bell peppers, celery, and onions—all poured over cooked rice. It’s a dish that’s so good-tasting and unique that the Louisiana State appoints it as its official cuisine!
Chicken and Waffles
Yes, the simple ingredients of this savory dish are waffles and chicken, which are then sweetened with either syrup or gravy. It’s a dish German immigrants brought to America that has now been improved upon with buttery recipes, becoming a staple in Pennsylvania Dutch cuisines.
Po’ Boy
We have another Louisiana special on our list—the Po’ Boy, a traditional crisp-crusted sandwich filled with beef, ham, or fried seafood and seasoned with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. Its origins can be traced back to 1929 when Bennie and Clovis Martin decided to support hungry striking motormen, whom they called “poor boys.”
Shave Ice
Shaved ice is a simple Hawaiian treat made from plain ice shavings sweetened with syrup or any other ingredients. Sometimes eaten with ice cream or Adzuki beans, this sweet is an invention of Japanese immigrants, which is why it’s called “shave ice” and not the more English-appropriate “shaved ice.”
S’mores
The original version of the moon pie, which Colorado State University says dates back to the 1920s, is the S’more. This camping treat consists of toasted marshmallows and sometimes chocolate sandwiched between two Graham crackers. “S’more” is an altered version of “some more,” a request representing how addictive it is.
Cheese Curds
If you’re craving a creamy delight, look no further than cheese curds; these can be eaten alone or as sides. They are made from curdled, pasteurized milk flavored with cheese culture, covered in batter, and perfectly fried for a crispy outer layer. However, don’t talk to Canadians about this; they’ll claim exclusive rights!
Maryland Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are expensive for a reason. Specially seasoned with mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and Old Bay, Maryland, they are savory fishcake varieties that gained status as staples in the Maryland region soon after the European colonists adopted crab cake recipes from the Native Americans in the Chesapeake Bay.
Lobster Rolls
This New England-native dish is a hot dog-style sandwich made of lobster meat served in a bun. For the best experience, you should try out the two versions that exist today: the cold-meated, mayo-dressed lobster rolls from Maine and the warm, buttered lobster rolls from Connecticut with crusted buns. Our mouths are watering!
Biscuit and Gravy
Most commonly found in the South, a plate of soft-dough buttermilk biscuits and white pork sausage gravy might be just what you need. The Washington Post traces the dish as far back as the 1800s, in the Southern Appalachia lumber mills—which is why some call the gravy a “sawmill” gravy.
Meat Loaf
Meatloaf is shaped like a loaf of bread and made with pieces of ground meat, and you’ll love it! It’s a moist, flavorful, and timeless classic made from a mixture of smoked onion, milk, bread crumbs, eggs, and meat, of course, seasoned with ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. It’s to die for!
Buffalo Wings
Finally, our list couldn’t be complete without Buffalo Wings, a special breed of unbreaded chicken wings seasoned with vinegar, cayenne pepper, and butter. It’s called “Buffalo wings” because it originates from Buffalo, New York, and it’s a special appetizer that’s larger and meatier than regular chicken wings. You can’t visit America without trying them!
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