19 Extremely American Foods You Should Eat At Least Once In Your Lifetime (2024)

Is there anything more homey than a giant buttermilk biscuit split open and topped with creamy sausage gravy? If you wanna take this staple to the next level, add a fried egg and a couple slices of bacon.

Try biscuits and gravy here.

Whoever thought to put roasted marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers is an absolute genius. This sweet treat is usually enjoyed around a campfire, and half the fun is building it. The camping sandwich is made with Hershey’s chocolate and a perfectly browned marshmallow squished between two graham crackers. Sticky fingers is part of the experience.

Try these epic s'mores recipes.

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A corn dog is a hot dog that's been skewered with a stick before being dipped in cornmeal batter and deep-fried. The stick, which runs through the middle of the hot dog, makes this a highly portable and highly delicious fair and festival food. Dip in ketchup for a little added sweetness, or go the savory route with a squirt of mustard.

There are a few different theories around the origin of this homey meal. Some say it started as a Mediterranean dish in medieval Europe; others say it came from German immigrants in colonial times. Either way, today meat loaf is an American staple. There are several variations, but at its core, it's literally a loaf of ground meat that’s baked, topped with sauce (most often ketchup), and served in slices.

Try meat loaf here.

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This hot sandwich is a Philadelphia staple and a favorite of meat and cheese–loving Americans everywhere. Thin slices of beef, onions, and melted cheese (or Cheez Whiz) are crammed inside a long roll, and the result is warm, gooey perfection.

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This sandwich is such a staple that most Americans find it unbelievable that the rest of the world isn’t as obsessed as we are. Spread one slice of bread with peanut butter (crunchy is where it’s at) and the other slice with jam or jelly, then put the two together and enjoy an American go-to. Or double your topping consumption with an open-faced take on the classic.

To experience an American diner staple, put a few scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass and pour a root beer on top. The result is a frothy, chilled drink that's so sweet, a sugar buzz is inevitable.

Make a perfect root beer float here.

Weird, yes. Amazing, YES. Sweet and soft meet savory, crispy goodness in this Southern dish. Just as you might expect, fluffy waffles are topped with a piece of crispy fried chicken and doused with maple syrup. Add on gravy, if you dare.

Try chicken and waffles here.

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With its jiggly texture and unnatural, translucent coloring, Jell-O is as bizarre as it is intriguing. The dessert is a potluck staple, but to make it at home, all you need is magic Jell-O powder and hot water. If you're feeling fancy, incorporate chunks of fruit or top it with whipped cream.

Around the holidays, certain dishes make their annual appearance. One Thanksgiving go-to is sweet potato casserole: a warm, gooey side dish that’s made using chopped or mashed sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and pecans. As bizarre as it sounds, this veggie dish is then topped with marshmallows and served as a side (nope, it's not a dessert) along with cranberry sauce and green beans.

Try sweet potato casserole here.

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France and Switzerland can battle over cheese-making superiority. Here in the US we have our own crafty creations, most notably: cheese in a can, American cheese slices, and string cheese. We eat the good stuff too, but there’s something truly American and completely irresistible about a processed cheese that shoots out of an aerosol can, the plasticky texture of a slice of American cheese, and the satisfying art of pulling apart a stick of string cheese.

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A summertime favorite, snow cones are simple and sugary: a mound of crushed ice doused with sugary syrup. The snow cone's cousin — the snowball — is made using shave ice and has a fluffier texture.

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Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt this canned meat is American. Spam is a can of precooked, salty pork that comes ready to eat. The product became popular during and after World War II and is especially beloved in the state of Hawaii, where locals grill Spam, put it on top of rice, and wrap the two-tiered tower in a band of nori to make Spam musubi, a sushi-style snack.

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It’s a combination that sounds strange but works in the best possible way: chicken wings, spicy sauce, creamy dressing, and crunchy veggies. The wings are deep-fried, doused in Buffalo sauce — a mix of hot sauce, vinegar, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and butter — and served alongside celery and carrot sticks with plenty of blue cheese (or ranch) dressing for dipping.

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Drop a simple “chowda” and anyone on the East Coast will know what you’re talking about. This hearty soup has a rich creamy base that’s filled with diced potatoes, onion, celery, and, of course, clams. If creamy clam soup isn't your thing, keep in mind there are lots of different chowder variations found across the US.

Contrary to how it sounds, there’s no chicken in this dish. A piece of beefsteak is coated with seasoned flour, fried in a pan, and smothered in cream gravy. The “chicken fried” comes from this breading and frying technique that’s more commonly used to make fried chicken. Pair it with some mashed potatoes and a veggie side, and prepare yourself for a satisfying, stick-to-your-bones type of meal.

Try chicken fried steak here.

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This dish was developed by Native Americans who ground corn into a coarse texture and cooked it up like porridge. Today, grits are considered to be a Southern speciality and are made using ground cornmeal, butter, and milk. Two popular variations are cheesy breakfast grits and shrimp and grits.

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Americans are known to dip everything from pizza to broccoli in this creamy condiment that's technically a salad dressing. It's made from buttermilk, mayo, herbs, and spices, and is found in most American fridges alongside other basic condiments.