Johann Hunt
The food we grew up eating without a second thought is lip-smacking for the rest of the world. Who knew our everyday comfort meals would become bucket-list experiences for international travelers, huh? Here are the dishes foreigners can’t stop raving about.
New York-Style Pizza
New York-style pizza has been winning hearts since Americaâs first licensed pizzeria (Lombardiâs) opened in Little Italy in 1905. It’s a thin, crispy yet chewy crust, baked in gas ovens, and is designed for folding and eating on the go. Every generous slice delivers that perfect mix of history and grab-and-go convenience.
Classic American Hamburger
You might be surprised to learn that the hamburger did originate in Hamburg, Germany, but Americans took it and ran with it. That simple beef patty on a bun turned into a juicy, cheesy masterpiece with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and all the sauces. No wonder everyone loves it.
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Buffalo wings are spicy and irresistible. They were invented at Buffaloâs Anchor Bar, a local family-owned restaurant, in 1964, and the formula hasnât changed: hot wings with crunchy celery. Whether youâre at a festival or just chilling at home, these wings are finger-licking good every single time.
Southern Fried Chicken
Who doesnât love Southern fried chicken? Every July 6th, National Fried Chicken Day honors this crispy classic. Inspired by Scottish and West African traditions, chicken pieces get coated in seasoned flour and deep-fried. Add creamy mashed potatoes and fluffy biscuits, and youâve got a meal thatâs impossible to resist.
Sâmores
Sâmores are a beloved American treat that campers everywhere adore. The earliest known recipe appears in a 1927 U.S. Girl Scouts handbook, bringing together graham crackers, roasted marshmallows, and chocolate. Kids kept asking for âsome more,â which inspired the name we know today.
Macaroni And Cheese
Believe it or not, mac ‘n’ cheese has fans all over the globe. Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, served it at the White House in 1802, and Kraft, the American food company, made it a quick, cheesy favorite in 1937. Its creamy, baked goodness seems to charm everyoneâespecially cheese-loving visitors.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies became an American classic thanks to Ruth Wakefield, a chef and innkeeper who ran the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. In 1938, she mixed butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate chips, and it was an instant hit. Nestle even printed her recipe on their packaging by 1939.
Lobster Roll
Nothing says “Maine” quite like their signature lobster roll, a coastal treasure that residents and tourists crave each summer. The classic preparation keeps it simple: chilled lobster meat, usually just the tender claw and knuckle pieces, gets tossed in mayo and layered into a split-top bun, accompanied by chips or fries alongside.
New England Clam Chowder
If youâve never tried New England clam chowder, youâre missing out. Creamy and full of tender clams, potatoes, and smoky bacon, itâs traditionally served with oyster crackers. Boston locals even throw a Chowderfest every year, and visitors are just as obsessed with this coastal classic.
Philly Cheesesteak
Ordering a Philly cheesesteak might feel tricky at first. Do you want it âwithâ or âwithoutâ onions? Provolone or American cheese? This 1930s sandwich, consisting of thinly sliced beef on a long roll, has locals debating the best spot, while travelers usually fall in love after their first bite.
Pancake Stacks
There’s something almost magical about watching pancake batter puff up into those thick, fluffy stacks Americans love. It’s just flour, eggs, milk, and baking powder doing their thing. Pile them high, add a pat of melting butter, then drench everything in maple syrupâpreferably from Vermont, where it’s made best.
Texas Smoked Brisket
Sure, Texas BBQ spots serve hundreds of pounds daily now, but the recipe? Very simple. Just salt and pepper with serious patience over wood smoke. That’s it. The payoff is incredibleâtender, smoky brisket served on butcher paper, accompanied by nothing but pickles and white bread.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is basically America in a jar. Creamy and a little bit addictive, itâs the star of PB&J sandwiches in lunchboxes everywhere. Made from roasted peanuts, this is so popular that visitors are usually amazed at how much Americans spread it on everythingâfrom bread to snacks to straight-off-the-spoon bites.
Corn Dog
Americans? We barely think twice about corn dogs. But foreigners? They’re obsessed. Hot dogs in crunchy cornmeal batter, fried golden brown, ready to grab and go on a stick. At fairs and carnivals, you’ll see tourists lining up for this simple snack like it’s gourmet food.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs are an American classic you have to try. In Texas, they smoke giant beef ribs until theyâre tender and smoky. Kansas City smothers theirs in sticky, sweet sauce, while Memphis sticks to a flavorful dry rub. No matter the style, travellers canât get enough of these messy, juicy ribs.
Key Lime Pie
Ever wonder what gives authentic Key lime pie its distinctive pale yellow hue? The secret lies in egg yolks, a vital ingredient in traditional recipes from the Florida Keys. Combined with Key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk, then cradled in a graham cracker crust, this creation rightfully earned its status as Florida’s official state pie.
Krispy-Style Glazed Doughnuts
Warm, soft glazed doughnuts coming straight off the fryerâthat’s the Krispy Kreme magic. When the Hot Light turns on, tourists practically sprint inside. Those fresh batches with their shiny glaze disappear in seconds because eating them hot is an entirely different experience that many people chase.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are basically an American tradition wrapped in a bun. Juicy sausage on soft bread, followed by a pile of mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions, however you like. They’ve been a ballpark staple since the early twentieth century, sold during simple summer cookouts and baseball games.
Macaroni Salad / American-Style Deli Potato Salad
These two cold salads basically run the summer cookout scene. Macaroni salad brings creamy pasta with mayo and maybe some ham or cheese mixed in. Potato salad features mayo-coated spuds, mustard, and fresh vegetables. Different vibes, but both make every picnic and barbecue a delight.
New YorkâStyle Cheesecake
So here’s the thing about New York cheesecakeâit’s ridiculously simple. Made with cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and a crust of crushed graham crackers, it somehow transforms into a smooth, dense masterpiece that turned Junior’s in Brooklyn into a landmark. Add some strawberries or cherries on top, and youâll be licking your finger forever.