The following highlights some of the popular Traditional American Foods. If you manage to be in an American restaurant or you are visiting United States of America, I recommend the following:
1. The Hamburger
The popularity of the hamburger and cheeseburger in the United States is undisputed. Traditional, gourmet, fast food, bacon, sliders, green chilli, Juicy Lucy style. The list of variations and toppings is endless. If there is one food we had to choose, hamburgers are the most American of them all. The burger can be served with bacon, pickles, tomato, onion, lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. If it is with cheese, the cheese is placed on top of the meat so that it melts a little.
2. Hot Dogs
Nothing complements a summer cookout or baseball game better than an American hot dog. Although the creation is credited to German-born Charles Feltman, who used buns to serve German sausages (hence also known as frankfurter or frank) to save on plates, it was Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker’s sausage stand Nathan’s on Coney Island that made the sausage a national icon. There are regional variations, for example, the New York style with ketchup and tomato sauce and the Chicago style served on a poppy seed bun with no ketchup at all.
3. Barbecue Ribs
A typical American dish, especially when the country celebrates the 4th of July, Independence Day. Barbecues may be pork-only, but other recipes include beef, chicken, grilled vegetables, salads and dipping sauces. Each region has its own method of preparation.
4. Deep Dish Pizza
Pizza in Chicago looks and tastes different. The dish is deep-dish, as the name implies, which means the crust rises and allows for an artery-choking volume of cheese and tomato sauce. No wonder they call it a pie.
5. Apple Pie
You’ve probably heard the phrase “as American as apple pie” and it’s not without reason. Probably the most iconic of American foods, apple pie was first introduced to the United States by British and Dutch immigrants. Over the years, however, it has evolved into a distinctly American dining experience, typically served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
6. Bagel and Lox
This doughnut-shaped roll is one of the most typical breakfasts in cities like New York. It can be served in a thousand and one ways: there are savoury versions such as smoked salmon and cream cheese or sweet versions such as peanut butter and jelly. But salmon is definitely the favourite and most delicious option.
7. Hominy Grits
A dish made from coarsely ground corn kernels, grits can be extremely versatile. Typically found in savoury versions, they can also be made sweet. A classic dish is shrimp and grits, but grits are also a popular breakfast dish in place of oatmeal. Either way, they are extremely satisfying and delicious.
8. Tacos
Tacos are so popular in the United States that they have been considered a comfort food along with pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs. In the United States, tacos can be found in a variety of presentations, from the typical Mexican taco to the Tex-Mex version, restaurant tacos and of course, the hard shell corn that can be found in several chains, such as the Taco Bell Pie. So much so that 4 October is celebrated as National Taco Day.
9. Clam Chowder
Clam Chowder is a very popular clam chowder in the Boston area. If you go to Boston, you absolutely must have New England Clam Chowder. This fragrant chowder is sold everywhere, and it looks awful, white and lumpy. But one taste is all it takes to fall in love. Whoever decided to mix quahog seafood with tender potatoes, salt pork, heavy cream and herbs is a genius.
10. Drop Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Biscuits and gravy are a very popular breakfast in South American cuisine. Composed of some dough rolls, biscuits and gravy, they are a very popular breakfast in South American cuisine. It consists of soft dough rolls called “kiks” served with a special sauce made with small pieces of pork. The dish is served hot for breakfast, but in some cases it is served for dinner as a simple starter or as a full course meal. The dumplings, known as ‘biscuits’, are served with a special sauce made with small pieces of pork. The dish is served hot for breakfast, but in some cases it is served for dinner as a simple starter or as a full course.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional North American Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.