American foods, sometimes, are misunderstood. Many people think that American-style dishes are full of oil, too bland or salty, and those prejudices are wrong.
There are various regions and states with multiple cultures in the United States of America, and each of them has their own signature and distinctive ways to create incredible food on the plates.
To discover more about the incredible culinary culture of the US, don’t hesitate and scroll down now!
American Fruity Treats
How about starting this must-try food checklist with something sweet and beloved? The fruity sweets of the United States are likewise highly diversified due to the influence of numerous cultures. They all have their own good, so are you ready to discover more?
1. Apple Pie
This most well-known and cherished pie in the United States is not a traditional dish on the American continent. The pilgrims brought apple seeds to America, and the pies first appeared in 1780 (while they were prevalent in England a long time ago).
However, when the exquisite dish arrived on this continent, the locals gave it many unique features to become an iconic American sweet treat.
You should never neglect such a delight with its crispy crust and well-seasoned caramelized apple interior. Just give it a go once!
If you want to learn more about the origin of apple pie, this introduction will help.
2. Key Lime Pie
Another pie on this list is the key lime pie with the creamy custard flavored with solid citrusy key lime zest and juice. Don’t mistake key lime juice for regular lime juice it will offer a stronger scent and is more often used for desserts, sweets, and beverages.
One more surprising fact about these lime pies is they are even more “American” than the apple ones. Back in the 1800s, a while after apple appeared, the Key West’s fishermen started mixing lime juice with wild bird eggs (or turtle eggs) and condensed milk.
That was the original form of this lime pie until a woman called Aunt Sally made it more widespread with her own lime pie recipe.
3. Banana Split
Besides all the big names for ice cream like acai tigela (an iconic dish in Brazil), coupe colonel (a classic French treat), this banana split from the US is also a strong competitor. The ice cream plate is refreshing and cool so that you can obviously have it for a refreshing summer snack.
This dish was invented by David “Doc” Strickler in 1904 in Pennsylvania with the idea of putting three scoops of silky ice cream between the half-lengthwise-sliced banana. The natural sourness and fruitiness from bananas can milden the sugary taste of ice cream.
4. Fruit Smoothies
America is a modern and dynamic country; people will be pretty busy at breakfast. Most of them will choose quick solutions like store-bought burgers, sandwiches and some will opt for healthy ones like a fruit smoothie.
Just by using a variety of fruits in the refrigerator and a little milk or oats, they have completed their breakfast in 5 minutes.
This tasteful treat was first sold on the West Coast of the US in the 1930s. But it was not until the 1980s that people used the term “smoothies” more commonly.
However, it is not good to only get nutrition from fruit for a long time. Therefore, many variations require protein powder or other supplements, and you can try them out.
American Bread and Sandwiches
When it comes to American cuisine, you will probably think of large sandwiches, bread, or buns filled with meats, salads, or seafood. If you are curious about them, let’s discover some bread-based dishes in this culinary culture.
5. San Francisco Sourdough Bread
This sourdough has quite ancient origins, from ancient Egypt to European variations, then arrived in America in 1849 (following the Gold Rush). They are now becoming a specialty of California, especially San Francisco.
Sourdough bread is easy to eat since it can pair with any toppings, just like regular bread. It is mainly based on your preferences. Fresh fruit toppings are also a good idea.
While the process of making sourdough is rather straightforward, the real difficulty lies in the technique to score the bread with bread lames. More often than not, beginners will make their sourdough bread look like a mess within their first tries of using bread lames.
The outstanding benefit of these bread is that they will provide many good bacteria that help you absorb the food better.
6. Hamburgers
The food has gone through a long history before having the hamburgers that you see these days. Nowadays, people might love to eat hamburger helpers with some side dishes as an American-style lunch, but let’s talk more about their past to know more.
Dating back to the 4th century (when the Mongolian found a way to preserve and tenderize the meat), the food was only officially born in 1935 of the 20th century.
An older form of hamburgers had a large meat patty between 2 slices of bread, not buns. Later on, in 1935, at Denver Humpty Dumpty restaurant, Louis Ballast started putting cheeses between the fillings before grilling the burgers, and it has become a trend until now.
7. Lobster Roll
This dish originated in the New England region, and the first restaurant which offered lobster rolls in 1929 was “Perry’s in Milford.” The delight spread quickly to the whole Connecticut coast and was even more favored globally.
Now, when it comes to the best lobster rolls, you should definitely visit the state of Maine (USA). You can expect a big portion with loaded fresh lobster, rich butter, or enjoyable mayonnaise (and some other secret sauces, maybe).
8. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
Cheesesteak is named the best beef sandwich in Philadelphia, America. This US delicacy has been around since the 1930s and is so prevalent, especially in the states where it came.
It was first sold only in Pat’s King of Steaks (the hotdog store of Pat and Harry Oliver). Nowadays, the sandwich is so famous that you can now buy it anywhere in the city.
The food consists of thin beef steak slices, caramelized onions, multiple kinds of cheese, and several veggies like bell pepper or mushroom. Don’t wait any longer to have a big bite because you will receive a pleasing flavor kick!
9. Avocado Toast
There are several unproven theories about the origins of avocado toast, including whether it originated in Los Angeles in the 19th century or in Australia first.
One thing is sure that avocado toast has become increasingly popular in American café since the 1990s. It then became a global trendy breakfast delight in early 2010.
The main ingredients of a serving of avocado toast always include crispy toast and avocado puree with olive oil, spices, and salt. Adding protein like eggs or salmon is totally up to preferences. In general, the dish is relatively healthy, quick, and very popular with dieters.
10. Indian Fry Bread
When you order an Indian fry bread, you will recieve a portion of fried flat dough with various fresh toppings such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and plenty of condiments.
This delicacy was first sold in New Mexico by the Navajo, who invented fry bread 150 years ago. They made this bread from all the relief foods from the US government.
That is why the main ingredients for the dough are so simple; it only requires sugar, lard, salt, and flour. After a long time of development, this Indian fry bread dish is now a staple that can represent the whole culinary culture of Indian Americans.
11. Cornbread
These cornbreads were first made by European Americans a long time ago. They made the food out of cornmeal (maize) to bring the taste from their homeland to the new world.
There are two main variations of this treat based on the regions. The Northern or the original cornbreads deliver many buttery flavors and a spongy, appealing cake-like texture.
On the other hand, the Southern variant is less sweet and a bit drier so that you can feel it more crumbly. To serve this cornbread in a meal, you can use it simply as a bland base beside a savory, hearty dish or a soup-based food.
12. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a classic childhood treat for any American or an enjoyable snack for many adults. Americans even dedicate April 2nd each year to celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.
Regarding the origin of this dish, it must first be mentioned that peanuts (cultivated and ground) appeared in South America in the 1st century. Many years later, from the mid-16th century onwards, peanuts have been brought to Europe and many major Asian countries.
In the mid-1890s, a doctor named John Harvey Kellogg applied for a patent for peanut paste production with salt (considered the forerunner of today’s peanut butter).
A while after that, in 1901, Julia Davis Chandler published the first peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe in the Boston Cooking School Magazine. Thanks to its simplicity, deliciousness, and popularity, this dish has been popular to this day.
American Cheeses or Cheese-Made Dishes
It’s not uncommon for you to see people compare between white and yellow American cheese. I’d say that American cheese has its own unique enjoyment. From pairing with wine or beer to frying or baking, all are delicious. Find out more about this in the following delightful menu.
13. Macaroni and Cheese
In America, you can see people call this dish mac ‘n’ cheese more often than the full name. And the first macaroni and cheese were brought to America by their own president, Thomas Jefferson.
The first official mac and cheese recipe was published in Mary Randolph’s cookbook in 1824, where she guided people to bake all the ingredients (pasta, cheeses, and butter) in an oven. Nowadays, many versatile ingredients are added to make them more delicious.
And while you can go for either white or yellow American cheese to make this classic comfort food, I think white American cheese’s nature pairs best with this dish. While the end result might not look as eye-catching as when you prep the dish with yellow cheese, the flavors surely match.
Nothing can compare to mac and cheese as the ultimate American’s dinner recipe. The reason is this dish has many varieties, including instant, manufactured products, so that people can prepare it in a snap.
14. Mozzarella Sticks
Although Italy is the origin of mozzarella cheese, the cheese stick or mozzarella stick dish was invented in the US.
Mozzarella cheese is a stringy cheese made from water buffalo or cow’s milk. The cheese will melt when exposed to high heat and create a very eye-catching spinning effect.
This iconic American appetizer was not prevalent until the late 1970s and the early 1980s, after they decided to bring mozzarella sticks to the bowling alleys or sports bars. Today, cheese sticks are also sold in many fast food stores and used as a snack worldwide.
15. Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack Variation
America’s specialty cheeses offer original flavors from herbs and garlic to smoky and spicy taste. Monterey Jack (a Californian cheese) is a prime example.
Thanks to this variety of flavors, it efficiently helps local dishes richer and deeper in tastes. That is also why it is also used in many dishes such as cream cheese sauce or more elegant and complex dishes.
Pepper Jack is a famous variation of Monterey Jack cheese. It lends a mild flavor and creamy texture. This cheese is often produced with hot peppers to create the ideal base for hot and spicy dishes.
Therefore, Pepper Jack is often present in Southern American dishes or spicy dishes like Tex-Mex dishes.
16. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese only appeared in the United States in the 18th century in cookbooks and was also loved by the Jewish culinary community living in New York at that time. When it comes to the origin, the cheese with creamy, smooth texture appeared in Europe long before that.
There are records of the appearance of this cheese in England from 1583 and then in France in 1651. It was not until 1754 that the secret and recipe for making this cheese was written down, published, and globally spread.
Cream cheese is recommended to use fresh or topping on crackers, bread, bagels, or mixed with yogurt to enhance the taste.
17. New York Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a well-loved dessert in many countries. More interestingly, there are various kinds of cheesecake worldwide. This New York-style cheesecake is an iconic sweet treat of America.
New York cheesecake has a large amount of heavy cream, cream cheese (must-have), and sour cream. The first official recipe is believed to be published under Junior’s name.
Nowadays, a typical New York cheesecake often delivers a distinctive taste since New Yorkers will feature their long-favored treat with fresh fruits. In the US, they love this cheese-made product so much that they have July 30th as National Cheese Cake Day.
American Meat Dishes
Talking about American dishes, you can never ignore the meaty dishes. They just love meat! If you are a carnivore, this category is for you!
18. Pot Roast
Now, I will introduce you to a famous American-style casserole. This pot roast is very popular at family/friends gatherings on the weekend because people will cook a relatively large portion every time.
One more reason is that the processing period is timely (this dish will taste better when all the components are softened), so it is hard to cook this comfort treat any time they want.
Sometimes, Americans will intentionally overcook to have more leftovers. They will store the left portions for use later during busy weeknight dinners.
19. Corn Dogs
These convenient fried food sticks are the popular snack that is usually sold in American fairs. You should come to those places and experience corn dogs’ amazing taste once you have a chance.
The reason why this fried treat is called corn dogs lies in its exterior, which is made of cornmeal batter. Corn dogs appeared after the Germans came to America and brought their hometown’s signature sausages.
20. Hot Dog
Why is it called a hot dog while a sandwich with a big sausage? It started from a pretty interesting story.
Come back to 100 years ago; sausages were sold on every American street with the slogan “hot, hot” (or “hot” for short) because this dish was quite famous.
Later, when American traders started importing standard “frankfurters” from the German Frankfurt region, this dish created a craze because it was delicious and, obviously, more expensive.
That’s why people gave it another name, “doggy hots,” as short for the expression “to put on the dog”(and it is shortened to “hot dog” a time after).
Nowadays, when a hot dog has become more affordable, the name has been attached to it and cannot be changed anymore.
21. Maxwell Street Polish
Jimmy Stefanovic, a Macedonian immigrant, started selling sausages at his Jim’s Original stall in 1939. He started selling grilled/fried Polish sausages with pickles, sauces, and bread at the Maxwell Road market from thereon.
His dish became so popular and loved that a competing grill nearby, which name is Express Grill, began to advertise itself as “Original Maxwell St.Polish” to compete with Jim.
After that, many controversies arose about the copyright of this dish. But either way, they succeeded in serving a delicious hot dog and became a Chicago specialty.
22. Buffalo Wings
These chicken wings are called Buffalo wings since they were first sold in Anchor Bar, Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s.
This dish consists of a portion of chicken wings that are usually deep-fried in oil. After that, sellers will top them with a special sauce (including spicy cayenne pepper sauce and melted butter) before serving.
They are usually eaten when hot and crispy, with celery sticks or fresh carrots (to add the refreshing feeling) and blue cheeses. All the side dishes are necessary to balance the overall flavors.
23. Fried Chicken and Waffle
Fried chicken and waffle or Southern fried chicken is a kind of fried food distinguished from the others. At first, in the early 1800s, hotels and resorts in the suburb of Philadelphia served waffles with fried catfish.
Gradually, when the catfish became less and should be harvested seasonally only, they started using the fried chicken to replace that protein. This dish even became the typical weekends’ breakfast of a German-American in Pennsylvania in the 1860s.
The food is toothsome and easy to consume; therefore, it took almost no time to become a well-known American fast food in the early 19th century.
24. Breakfast Sausage
This dish is more prevalent in rural America because many ingredients are available for hot dogs, such as ground pork.
To make this food, people will use cheap ground pork (including lean meat and fat) to mix with spices and then cook in a simple way like frying or pan-frying. An ideal first meal for a busy day.
Today, this dish is commonly used for breakfast or brunch with sandwiches. The ingredients also become more diverse when they include many types such as poultry or beef and even other vegetable proteins. Give it a try because there are many options for you!
25. Meatloaf
This meatloaf is a long-favored dish in American families, and the story around its appearance was sad.
Dating back to the Great Depression period, when the meat was too expensive, people had to create a new way to make the meat portion “bigger”. At that time, the method of mixing that cheap meat with grains or saltine was invented and accepted by many people.
Nowadays, this meatloaf has many variations, and each family will have a different way of preparing and enjoying it. Also, meatloaf can be paired with many dishes for exciting flavors combination and a more nutrition-packed meal.
No matter how many variations there are, a meatloaf will bring an irresistible scent after being baked and is heartwarming comfort food, especially in cold winter. Figuring out the correct timespan to cook meatloaf at 400 and making a perfect meatloaf for your family is one of the best things you can do.
You can opt for dinner rolls, sourdough, cornbread or mac and cheese, or steamed rice for side dishes.
26. Salisbury Steak
This steak is named after its creator, James Henry Salisbury. He was a physician, and his main research field was on nutrition. After 30 years of working, he came up with succulent burger meat in the 1800s as a suggestion for a high-protein meal.
This minced beef patty appeared a lot in the media, TV shows at that time and spread to the whole country. Thanks to that widespread effect, nowadays, the succulent meat patty has become a famous dish in the American diet.
27. Barbecue Ribs
Ribs or shoulder meat parts, after being marinated with spices, are smoked for many hours or even days on hot coals. The long cooking process lends a rich and deep flavor to the dish.
To decrease the greasy feeling, you should match it with coleslaw and greens. About this grilled food’s origin, the barbecue or BBQ sauce was thought to appear in the easternmost colonies (Virginia and North Carolina).
Meanwhile, the BBQ ribs started to be served a bit later in the 19th century. The first man known to sell the food was John Mills, and he sold his ribs in the 1920s. Nowadays, to have the best BBQ ribs, you can first consider those restaurants in Kansas or Texas.
Besides Kansas, Carolina, and Texas-style, Memphis-style BBQ is another prevalent variety of barbecue in America, which involves slow-cooking meats in a pit.
The meat is either covered in various spices and salt (dry rub) or brushed with sauces (wet-style) throughout the whole cooking process. “Dry” meat is often served without sauce, while people will brush extra sauce on cooked “wet” meat.
28. Roasted Turkey
In many families across the United States and Canada, the image of a golden roasted turkey on the dinner table has become a symbol of Thanksgiving. Yet, the actual theory behind the existence of this delicacy remains unclear until nowadays.
The most supported theory is Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, with a party held at Plymouth Plantation.
The Plymouths invited the Wampanoag (Native Americans) to celebrate successful crops, where they serve one of the tribe’s featured chickens. The chicken used was thought to be a turkey and became the inspiration for the following Thanksgiving parties.
American Seafood Dishes
The upcoming dishes can make you even more curious about seafood dishes in American cuisine. After seeing this category, how about considering visiting the US?
29. Fish Fry/Fish and Chips
Fish fry is a dish derived from a traditional British fast food called “fish and chips”. The dish consists of a fish filet coated with bread crumbs, deep-fried in oil, and then served with french fries.
In the United States, this dish is also sold under the name “fish and chips,” except in Northern New York and Wisconsin and other parts of the Northeast where it is called “fish fry”.
One big difference between the American and English versions is “chips” in American English means “thin slices of fried potato”. Therefore, this food is usually served with American-style fries (much thinner than British and Irish fries).
In the southern United States, a more popular form of this dish would include deep-fried catfish served with chips, coleslaw, pickles, raw onion, and a slice of lemon.
30. Onion Rings
The earliest recipe for these onion rings was published in the 1802 cookbook of John Molland. Yet, John is not the creator of this food, and the true one remains unknown.
The main idea of this fried treat is deep-frying batter-coated onion rings until crispy golden brown, which is highly creative. The scent of onions is mild after the processing steps, so children also love eating this fast food.
You can now easily find these rings in a fast-food restaurant in the US, the UK, Ireland, or even Asia. Who doesn’t love a scrumptious fried treat?
31. Clam Chowder
Pilgrims are believed to be the ones who first created clam chowder in 1620. It is one of the exquisite foods of America.
The idea of making this treat came to their minds when there was nothing to eat besides many fresh clam kinds on New England shores. These people thought of an idea to cook all of the seafood inside an iron pot.
This quintessential clam chowder was created out of an unexpected situation just like that. Today’s New England clam chowder is renowned worldwide for its toothsome flavors combined from salt pork, clams, and creamy broth.
Even if you don’t have all the time in the world to cook this dish, you can still find delicious pre-made clam chowder in a can. You can also make the meal more well-rounded by pairing clam chowder with yummy side dishes as well.
32. California Roll
Sushi is a highly famous Japanese dish, but this rolled sushi originated in Maneki restaurant in Vancouver, Canada. The food is now one of the most renowned sushi rolls in the US and Canada.
The sushi is named California roll because its “father”, Hidekazu Tojo, has many loyal customers from Los Angeles, California. That name coincidentally created a trait to bring that dish to America and make it prevalent there.
Unlike traditional sushi, the California rolls’ filling only includes cucumber (cucumber), avocado, crab meat/crab stick. Meanwhile, the rice will be wrapped outside with sprinkled roasted sesame or caviar/flying fish roe.
33. Cioppino
Cioppino is a typical seafood soup from San Francisco, California, with Italian roots. The name of this food beginning with “C” is inspired by the Italian term “ciuppin” of Liguria, referring to a traditional soup with fish/seafood obtained on a sea voyage.
This flavorful American soup delight was brought to the continent by the Portugueses and Italians who followed the Gold Rush trend in the 1800s.
The food includes seafood such as lobster, crab, mussels, and so on, cooked in one pot and then served as a hearty main dish for a warm family gathering.
34. Holiday Glazed Ham
Many American households serve this glazed ham for Easter or Christmas meals as the centerpiece for the whole feast.
The meat to make ham is from pork legs, and it has to go through various steps before being ready to be served on your table.
After reprocessed and coated with a gleaming, sugary glaze, the deli meat will offer a much enticing flavor profile that compiles sweetness, saltiness, and packs of herby tastes.
Some Other American Treats
Now, moving to the other foods that Americans love to eat. They are varied and infused by various cuisines globally so that you can expect a lot from these recommendations.
35. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Don’t misunderstand biscuits and cookies, although they both mention a crackling baked snack. Biscuits originated from England, while cookies came from the Netherlands (its name is also derived from a Dutch term, “Koekje”, which means a small round treat).
Ruth Graves Wakefield brought the food to America and started to sell cookie variants with chocolate chips at her store called Toll House in Massachusetts.
It is so famous that chocolate chip cookies have become the most popular American recipe to make sweets.
Nowadays, no matter how many cookie varieties exist in the market, these chocolate chip ones still play an essential role in many people’s hearts.
36. Brownie
There are many controversies around the origin of these sweets, and no matter where it comes from, brownies are the legend in terms of chocolate treats.
The attraction of brownies comes from their strong chocolate flavor; once biting a piece, you will be completely immersed in the passionately mixed sweet and bitter taste.
The finished texture of this cake is soft, moist, and moderately spongy. It also offers a pleasing taste that makes it match afternoon tea.
37. Pancake
Pancake is considered one of the most well-known American light breakfast dishes since it is so straightforward to make and eat. There are many ways to eat pancakes and keep them from getting bored.
First, you can try pairing it with fillings ranging from savory (sausage, bacon) to sweet (fruit jam, fruit, maple syrup, honey) or enjoy it with a cup of strong tea and a glass of milk and cider. Feel free to customize this dish to your heart’s content.
38. S’mores
Once mentioning the s’mores or their original name, “some more”, you might immediately think of the campfire night where people sit together and enjoy their skewed marshmallows.
Although each component of the sweet treats comes from different cuisines (marshmallows of Egypt, chocolate of Mesoamerican), they are all sandwiched between 2 crunchy graham crackers. Furthermore, the exact recipe was first published in 1927 in the US.
The dish is loved thanks to the balance between sweet and bitter, soft and crunchy; they all create an addictive effect on the eaters.
39. Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are renowned worldwide thanks to their frequent existence in American movies from a long time ago. Yet, do you wonder what the true origin of these fortune cookies is? America, Japan, or China, people still haven’t figured out the exact question yet.
But one thing is for sure, if you find fortune cookies in China or Japan, it’s a bit difficult. Otherwise, you just need to go straight to Chinese-Japanese restaurants, and you can find these cookies easily.
To talk more about the flavors of this food, you can expect a crunchy exterior with hints of vanilla and sesame oil.
40. Pecan Pie
Pecan in English is derived from an Algonquin word, “pakani”, which means nuts, and the native Americans also used this ingredient 3000 years ago.
Although there will be many variations between pecan pies with the changes in brown sugar, syrup, or honey, vanilla and salt are indispensable components.
This delicious dish featuring crunchy pecans and toasted chocolate is an indispensable dish on Thanksgiving.
41. Twinkies
James Dewar created this terrific sweet snack in Continental Baking company ( located in Illinois) from 1930. At first, the sponge cake was filled with banana cream, but when the banana became scarce in World War II, they altered the filling into a vanilla flavor.
They were once bankrupt but returned a few years later and revived. These exotic deep-fried sponge cakes have become a part of the life of Americans, especially children.
Each bite can easily remind adults about their childhood with a Twinkie in the backpack.
42. Breakfast Tacos (Tex-Mex Style)
“Tex-Mex” is a genre of cuisine that is prevalent in the Southwest of America. Diana Kennedy first used that term (in her book The Food of Mexico) in 1970 to define Mexican foods made in Texas-style.
This variation of tacos is also called breakfast tacos (with tortillas, eggs, cheese, and meat) since it is usually served as a morning treat in New Mexico and Texas. It is also seen as the best Texas invention, and everyone will love it from the first bite.
43. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
This Chicago’s specialty is a must-try food when you visit this city. The uniqueness is not in the toppings but the pizzas’ appearance.
The pizza dough will be put into the deep tray that is about 5cm in depth. After that, they will start layering fillings and load them with cheese.
The cheesy part spills out when the pizza is served and creates a lovely effect (you can think of lava cake in the savory version).
Since it is pizza, its hometown is in Italy. They said that the distinctive treat appeared in the late 19th century in Chicago, and the actual creator of this delicacy remains under controversy.
44. Pepperoni Pizza
In the 1900s, after the end of World War I, many American soldiers returning from the European front wanted to enjoy the delicious food that reminded them of their time in Italy. The idea of bringing pizza to the US started like that.
The air-dried spicy salami has also appeared since then but was not used until later as a topping for pizza.
There is a lot of information surrounding the origin of pepperoni pizza. Still, according to photographic documents from the 1950s, the first image of pepperoni pizza first appeared at a pizzeria called New Heaven.
One interesting thing about this dish is that although it is originally an Italian-inspired treat, if you order pepperonis pizza in Italy, they will give you a pizza full of chili peppers. Because “pepperoni” means chili in Italian.
45. Stromboli
Stromboli was invented by Italian Americans, Nazzareno Romano, in a restaurant called Romano’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria outside of Philadelphia. The dish’s name is taken from the 1950 movie, Stromboli, named after a volcanic island off the coast of Sicily.
This exotic rolled pizza is now considered typical of the intersection of American and Italian cuisines. A typical stromboli consists of pizza dough, various sliced Italian meats like Salami, Pepperoni, and various delectable cheeses. Sounds enticing!
Unlock the exclusive secret behind an impressive stromboli piece!
46. Cobb Salad
Cobb salad is delectable and always exists in the top ranks for the most loved salads in the world. Do you wonder why the food is called “Cobb salad “? It is named after its creator, Robert Howard Cobb, a restaurateur.
The story behind this delicacy is genuinely a thrilling coincidence. Mr. Cobb, on a hungry evening, decided to go to the kitchen and mix up all that was left (some bacon, grilled chicken breast, some lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, and some French sauce) to eat.
This dish seemed to have succeeded in surprising him, so he decided to sell it in his own restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby, since 1937.
Cobb salad goes well with many dishes, including baked sweet potatoes, cheese breadstick, almond crusted chicken, etc. However, I’d say that Cobb salad is best when served as companion food for perogies. You won’t believe the flavor combinations!
47. Eggs Benedict
Egg benedict is a traditional breakfast (or brunch) dish loved for its harmony of ingredients. People love it so much that they dedicate April 16 every year as National Eggs Benedict Day.
Originating around 1890 in the US, eggs benedict are poached eggs served with bacon, toast, and hollandaise sauce – a sauce made from butter and egg yolks.
The dish is effortless to make, but a successful egg benedict dish requires the chef to be highly picky, skillful, and meticulous. Thanks to that, the taste of the dish is gorgeous and unforgettable.
48. Surf and Turf
Surf and turf, or surf “n” turf, is the main course consisting of seafood and beefsteak. This is a prevalent dish in British/Irish restaurants in North America.
The word “surf” means wave; the surf refers to seafood, especially lobster or small shrimp, which can be grilled, buttered, or fried.
Meanwhile, “turf” means the thick layer of grassroots close to the ground or the layer of grass on the ground, which refers to the beef (as cows eat grass). It’s a pretty creative name that rhymes with each other.
Initially considered a fancy dish, it became popular among middle-class Americans in the 1960s and 1970s. Don’t worry, nowadays; you can easily order a plate of them in a humble family restaurant in the US.
49. Spaghetti and Meatballs
You might think of Italy when you hear the term spaghetti. Even though spaghetti and beef ragu with meatballs are popular in Italy, the dish originated in America.
When Italians immigrated to America in the 19th century, they were poor. They intended to make recipes at home utilizing canned or low-cost ingredients. After a while, spaghetti with meatballs appeared, satisfying their cultural and dietary demands.
This dish has become renowned in the United States and across the world due to the simplicity of the ingredients and the not-so-sophisticated way of processing. So, have you ever tried spaghetti yet?
50. Tater Tots
Tater tots were not first developed as a family recipe but were created by Ore-Ida, a frozen food company, in 1953. On one occasion, the company’s two founders came up with a new way to prepare the regular fried potato dish.
They thought of mashing potatoes, combining them with spices, flour, and deep-frying the treat in hot oil. This dish was surprisingly delicious and turned into a delightful American snack. Therefore, if you are too familiar with French fries, try this unique dish once.
It Is Time To Treat Yourself With American Delights!
Have you decided which one to try first? I hope that with all of my delicious suggestions above, you can choose one among them and start experiencing such a diverse culinary cuisine.
If you find my article today helpful, please share it with your families, friends, or loved ones so that they can also benefit from this checklist. Your contribution will become my huge motivation in the future.
