Food is generic across continents, tribes and tongues, but everywhere in the world, people have the kinds of food that they are known for. America is one of such places, there are different kinds of food that are native to America. In this article, top 10 American Foods, we will be discussing 10 of the most popular types of American dishes.
If you are a fan of food, you will find yourself salivating very soon. The kinds of food that are very popular among Americans are hamburgers, hotdogs, mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, apple pies, tacos and many more.
As much as food is important, it is also important to be creative about it. American foods have helped us to know how not only nutritional but also artistic food can be. The top 10 American foods are a mix of art and healthy diet. Let’s see these American dishes individually in the next subheadings.
Top 10 American Foods
There are different types of food that are native to America; these foods have been perfected by very unique individuals. Let’s talk about the top 10 American foods individually.
1. Hamburger
The American hamburger is something that is so common in America but the taste differs from one part of the country to another. Many people in America argue about the exact place where hamburgers truly originated.
This contention was quelled by the Library of Congress; they only recognized New Haven, Connecticut, as the main birthplace of hamburgers. Hamburgers were first made by Louis Lassen in the year 1900.
The name of the establishment created by Louis Lassen to serve this amazingly tasty hamburger is called Louis’ Lunch. One of the most endearing parts of the story of hamburgers is that their birth establishment, Louis’ Lunch, is still operational.
It is now run by the great-grandson of Louis, Jeff Lassen. Another outstanding part of this story is that the hamburger at Louis’ Lunch is still made from a five-meat blend and cooked on an iron grill that is a century old. What an amazing discovery about hamburgers you might not have known!
2. Apple Pie
When you hear the words apple pie, what comes to mind? A pie made out of apples, right? Amazingly, America has a way of making food out of anything edible. Honestly, apple pie is a combination of buttery pastry, sugar and the main ingredient, apples sliced in tiny sizes.
Over the years, chefs have created unique versions of apple pies with chilies and other spices that just entice you the more you perceive them. Apple pies are actually America’s national delicacy. Ever heard the saying ‘America as an apple pie’? She pretty much is!
3. Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of the top 10 American foods that is considered the best comfort food, next to ice cream. It is so delicious, creamy and tasty. It can be achieved with the perfect mix of different cheeses, which provides just the right amount of flavor for the macaroni to blow your taste buds into heaven.
This food is so yummy and satisfying that you would actually need a second plate. The first creator of mac and cheese is still a mystery but mac and cheese has been creatively cooked by different chefs around the world, especially in America.
Despite the mystery behind the originator of mac and cheese, it gained popularity when it was introduced to America by Thomas Jefferson.
4. Hotdogs
Can it get any more basic than hotdogs? Hotdog is what is referred to as the basic American food. It is mainly eaten when it is smashed in between buns with other edible goodness like ketchup and mustard, however you like it.
Surprisingly, this basic American food originated in Germany in the 1600’s, miles away from America. It was created by a man called John Geoghehner who was actually a butcher.
What an amazing turn of events. Hotdogs became popular in Chicago, America, in the year 1893. Hotdogs can be garnished with mustard, mayonnaise, onions, relish, cheese and chilli. Some people enjoy steamed hotdogs while others enjoy grilled hotdogs; that is what makes hotdogs so basic. You can make it any way you like it and it will still taste great. You can find out more ways to eat hotdogs.
5. Chicken And Waffles
Chicken and waffles are one of the most serious foods out of the top 10 American foods. Serious because it indicates the amount of effort put in to achieve it. Chicken and waffles are popular in Baltimore, Maryland. Chicken and waffles actually originated in America and it is popularly eaten as breakfast.
As its name implies, it was made from a combination of fried chicken and a stack of waffles. As you know, fried chicken can never be overemphasized for its unique taste and crispy nature; it is the best food to eat along with waffles. Why don’t you try it out?
6. Tacos
Tacos are one of the most popular street foods out of the top 10 American foods. Tacos originate from Mexico; they were brought to America at the beginning of the 20th century by Mexican female immigrants called Chili Queens.
They started selling tacos using their carts, which they pushed on the streets of Los Angeles. Tacos, as their name suggests, were formally introduced by Glen Bell in 1952. American Tacos are made from a combination of ground beef, cheddar cheese and iceberg lettuce. Tacos are actually seen as more than just fast food; they are comfort foods that can satisfy your cravings effortlessly.
7. S’mores
S’mores are that part of the top 10 American foods that can never be forgotten, especially during camping events. So it can be said that S’mores is a typical camping tradition in America as much as the burn fires are.
If you are new to American foods, you might not be familiar with the name “s’mores.” S’mores are basically sandwiches that are made up of a combination of roasted marshmallows and a layer of chocolate between pieces of crackers.
This sandwich is so warm, sweet and gooey that it melts so deliciously in your mouth. It is mostly taken as dessert with a hot cup of cocoa.
8. American Pancakes
One breakfast to watch out for in an average American home is pancakes. Pancakes are the most common food out of the top 10 American foods. Pancakes are round, flat cakes made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs, flavors and more.
Some people prefer to add chilli powder to their pancakes; different toppings like maple syrup, fruits, chocolate sauce and the likes can be used to make pancakes more unique in taste. Pancakes are so unique because they allow you to be as creative as you want with it. Finally, you can never go wrong with a breakfast of pancakes.
9. Cheesecake
America is known for its amazing cheesecake, which puts it among the top 10 American foods. As expected, cheesecakes are so creamy, smooth and very tasty that they melt so easily once in your mouth, leaving you with a heavenly taste.
Cheesecakes are often taken as desserts because they are seen as the best finish to any meal. Just like art, where the best is always saved for last, cheesecakes serve as the perfect way to end an already perfect meal.
The originator of this amazing food is William Lawrence, who made cream cheese by accident but as you know, accidents are one of the most instrumental tools of discovery. So what seemed like an accident gave birth to the cheesecakes that Americans love.
This buttery biscuit topped with cream cheese and other condiments, can be eaten with whipped cream, fruits,nuts or chocolate syrup.
10. American Barbecue
Barbecue is one of the most recognized American foods among the top 10 American foods. It has a very long history but it is still preserved as an American culture in Southern America. In those days, barbecues were made or cooked over underground trenches that contained fire but as new developments came up, it is now grilled.
The main point of grilling or pit barbecues is to give the meat a unique, smoky taste. It is this distinct taste that makes it different from other cooking processes done with the same kind of meat. Barbecues became very popular in the 1950s; before then, grills were so expensive that eating barbecues was seen as a luxury. In the 1950s, the price of grills became so inexpensive that Americans were encouraged to grill barbecues with little effort.
Conclusion
Going through the top 10 American foods must have given you an idea of what a typical American meal looks like. The top 10 American foods are not the only ones available; there are other foods as well, like cronuts, pizza and many others.
Food in America is used to celebrate different events, including birthdays, thanksgiving and many others. American traditions, like thanksgiving, provide occasions for food sharing, which helps to build bonds and maintain quality relationships while enjoying good food.
