The Classic Hamburger: America’s Crown Jewel
When it comes to American food, nothing screams “USA” louder than a perfectly grilled hamburger. With a staggering 50 billion hamburgers devoured annually, it’s clear that this iconic American staple holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of the nation. Foreigners consistently rank the hamburger as their number one must-try American food experience. As of the second quarter of 2024, hamburgers, french fries, and grilled cheese sandwiches were the most popular American dishes in the United States. An average of around 84 percent of respondents had a positive opinion of each of the three dishes. The magic lies not just in the beef patty, but in the entire American burger culture that surrounds it. Few foods are as iconic as the humble hamburger, and we have Connecticut to thank for this all-American meal. Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch served steak sandwiches to workers back in 1895, but he hated to waste any extra beef, so he ground it up, grilled it, and served it between bread. The hamburger was born.
Barbecue: The Smoky Soul of American Cuisine
Having worked with visitors to the United States, I can tell you that most of them wanted to try foods or restaurants they had seen in movies or on TV. Southern BBQ. Burgers and pancakes nationwide. American barbecue represents something deeper than just grilled meat—it’s a cultural phenomenon that varies dramatically from region to region. “This year, TripAdvisor travelers gave the highest overall marks to Tennessee’s barbecue, while perennial favorites Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Georgia rounded out the country’s top five.” I have a couple of young friends from Budapest who made a recent foray to Tennessee and Texas simply to search out barbecue. I took them to a place in Ft. Worth, but they were headed on to Austin and San Antonio for more. BBQ in Europe just isn’t what we do so well. The slow-cooked, smoky flavors and regional sauce variations create an experience that foreigners simply can’t replicate back home.
Buffalo Wings: Small Bites, Big Flavor
The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New YorkYou have probably enjoyed a buffalo wing or two at a bar or during a Super Bowl party, but if you’re driving through upstate New York it makes sense to enjoy an order of wings in the city that gave them their name. Widely believed to be created at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, this tasty snack is certainly an icon of the Northeast! Foreigners are often baffled by the name “buffalo wings” until they learn the story behind them. Foreigners are often confused by the name ‘buffalo wings,’ but it is derived from their conception in Buffalo, New York, rather than the animal. Although they are a bar-food staple in all corners of the United States, buffalo wings are a relatively recent concept dating back to 1964. First served at Buffalo, New York’s family-owned Anchor Bar, the origins of buffalo wings are generally undisputed. The combination of crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and cooling blue cheese dip creates a flavor explosion that visitors from abroad find absolutely addictive. But it’s not the deep-fried goodness that makes the wings so addictive; it’s the tangy sauce, which has a delicious combo of butter, hot sauce, and red pepper.
Pizza: America’s Italian-Inspired Masterpiece
While pizza originated in Italy, America has transformed it into something uniquely its own, creating regional styles that fascinate international visitors. In NYC it was hot dogs, NY style pizza and delis–especially Katz’s thanks to “I’ll have what she’s having.” For me (as a German), it is a mix of two things: One is the “iconic” foods from a city, like deep dish pizza in Chicago or barbeque in north Carolina. The American pizza experience goes far beyond just the food itself—it’s about the pizza culture, from late-night slice joints to family pizza nights. “Last year, Chicago pizza exploded in Korea (Korea has a new American food obsession to to three times a year, this year’s being Subway), and my city suddenly had five Chicago pizza restaurants open up in the span of about two weeks. They were okay, though I’ve never had authentic Chicago pizza. One of my mates told me that they, like most Asian pizzas, pale in comparison to the real deal.”
Hot Dogs: The Ultimate American Street Food
The humble hot dog represents everything foreigners love about American convenience culture and outdoor dining. Like a hot dog with ketchup? Don’t mention that in Chicago. Instead, order a Chicago dog with all of the toppings: yellow mustard, onions, pickle relish, a pickle spear, tomatoes, peppers, and celery salt piled high on a hot dog served in a poppy seed bun. International visitors are particularly fascinated by the regional variations and the passionate debates about proper toppings. German immigrants made significant contributions to American food culture, including the iconic hamburgers and hot dogs. German immigrants also brought frankfurters to America, which eventually evolved into the modern hot dog. These foods became popularized at fairs, carnivals, and diners across the country, reflecting the blending of German and American culinary traditions. From ballpark franks to gourmet dogs, this simple sausage-in-bread creation embodies American innovation and accessibility.
Macaroni and Cheese: Comfort Food at Its Finest
Creamy, cheesy and comforting macaroni and cheese is a favorite American food for dinner or as a side. The dish’s roots date back to Thomas Jefferson, who brought back macaroni from France and, along with his cousin Mary Randolph who published one of the first American mac and cheese recipes in “The Virginia Housewife” in 1824, popularized it. Foreign visitors are amazed by the sheer variety of mac and cheese preparations found across America. We’re talking about juicy burgers fresh off the grill, crispy fried chicken that practically sings with Southern charm, and the humble yet irresistible macaroni and cheese. These iconic dishes have roots that run deep, bringing together flavors and techniques from various corners of the globe to create something uniquely American. What strikes international tourists most is how this simple dish can range from basic boxed versions to gourmet restaurant creations loaded with lobster, truffle, or bacon. Macaroni and cheese is an affordable American food and versatile. You can bake the dish or cook it on the stovetop and add ingredients such as jalapenos, bacon or breadcrumbs to change the flavor and texture.
Corn Dogs: Deep-Fried American Innovation
The humble hot dog is dubbed as a quintessential American backyard cookout and tailgating food in its own right, but once it’s wrapped in cornbread, deep-fried, and served on a stick, it really boggles the minds of foreign visitors. Cornbread in itself is also a distinctly American dish, and the combination of the two foods is somewhat unheard of elsewhere. Nothing exemplifies American food creativity quite like taking a hot dog, coating it in cornmeal batter, deep-frying it, and putting it on a stick for easy eating. Interestingly, there is some dispute regarding the actual origin of corn dogs. All fingers point back to the 1920s, but whether they were first created in New York, Texas, Minnesota, or Oregon is a source of continual debate. March 19th is National Corn Dog Day, which started in 1992. For international visitors, corn dogs represent everything that’s wonderfully absurd about American fair and carnival food culture. The concept of deep-frying already prepared food and making it portable seems uniquely American to many foreigners.
Apple Pie: The Sweet Symbol of America
While apple pie didn’t originate in America, it has become so synonymous with American culture that the phrase “as American as apple pie” exists for a reason. We Americans love our burgers, taco salad and good ol’ apple pie. Foreign visitors often seek out authentic American apple pie experiences, particularly during holidays like Thanksgiving when the dessert takes center stage. Pulled pork, shrimp and grits, key lime pie, and lobster rolls are classic American dishes you can easily associate with a state or region. We hear North Dakota makes excellent strawberry rhubarb pies, and West Virginia has killer cornbread. What fascinates international tourists is how apple pie represents both American tradition and regional variation, with different states claiming their own signature styles. The combination of flaky crust, cinnamon-spiced apples, and the ritual of serving it warm with vanilla ice cream creates an experience that foreigners consistently describe as quintessentially American.
Fried Chicken: Southern Comfort Goes Global
It was themed like those ’50s diners, and the only things on the menu were burgers, fries, fried chicken, hot dogs, pizza, and pulled pork. It was themed like those ’50s diners, and the only things on the menu were burgers, fries, fried chicken, hot dogs, pizza, and pulled pork. American fried chicken represents more than just a cooking method—it’s a cultural institution that foreign visitors consistently rank among their top American food experiences. A southern soul food breakfast will often introduce you to chicken and waffles, a culinary delight that pairs fried chicken with a crisp waffle, all served with butter and maple syrup. The combination may not sound appealing, but properly cooked the flavor profiles compliment each other so well you might be tempted to replace bacon or sausage as a typical waffle side dish! International tourists are particularly amazed by the variety of fried chicken preparations across different American regions, from Nashville hot chicken to Korean-American fusion styles. We can’t forget about other staples like hot dogs— with mustard, onions cheese and sometimes even chili — BBQ brisket, Buffalo wings, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, meatloaf, cheesesteak, lobster rolls, deep-dish pizza, grits… the list goes on!
Pancakes and Brunch Culture: Morning Meals Done Big
Fluffy, buttery and topped with plenty of maple syrup, pancakes are a popular American food that families enjoy at breakfast or any time of day. Add whipped cream and fruit topping for a special treat. Foreign visitors are consistently amazed by the sheer size and indulgence of American breakfast culture, particularly the weekend brunch phenomenon. Helen said it – BRUNCH. This is an American mystery that Europe is desperately trying to figure out. The concept of stacking fluffy pancakes sky-high, drowning them in maple syrup, and eating them as a social event rather than just fuel for the day strikes many international visitors as uniquely American. Burgers and pancakes nationwide. What foreign tourists find most fascinating is how pancakes represent American excess in the best possible way—bigger portions, sweeter flavors, and more toppings than anywhere else in the world. The American diner experience, complete with bottomless coffee and syrup, creates lasting memories for international visitors.
Was it the apple pie that surprised you most, or did you expect these comfort food classics to dominate the list?
