If you are planning a trip to the United States, you might be wondering what the American food culture is like, what dishes you should try while visiting, or how healthy is American food?
Over the last 30 years, we’ve lived and traveled all over our home country and experienced this American food culture.
It’s not like most countries that have specific dishes created and passed down over generations, but rather a melting pot of cuisines from all over the world, some with a little bit of an American twist.
American Food Culture & The Best Dishes To Try In The US
Overall, food in America is not typically healthy, but nowadays you can find some of the most popular dishes in the country made with healthier or allergy friendly ingredients.
But if you don’t want to think about the ingredients or specifications of the food, then you’ll have no problem finding all of these American food dishes that you should try while visiting this country.
1. BBQ Ribs & Brisket
BBQ food is one of the most American food dishes you can try in the country, especially in the southern culture of the United States.
You can find ribs, brisket, and BBQ sauce all over the country, but some of the best can be found in states like Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Red State BBQ in Lexington, Kentucky and Feedstore BBQ in Southlake, Texas are some of the best BBQ restaurants we’ve been to in the US.
2. Mofongo
Since American food culture often includes cuisines from around the world, dishes from other countries can still be some of the most popular things to eat in certain cities or states.
Both Florida and New York have high populations of Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, so Caribbean dishes like Mofongo, originally from Puerto Rico, or Mangu, which is slightly different than Mofongo with its origins from the Dominican Republic, are perfect to try while visiting these areas. Both dishes are made with plantains.
La Casa del Mofongo was our favorite place to grab this plantain-based dish in West Palm Beach, Florida, but you can find authentic mofongo in New York institutions such as Casa Adela.
Of course, you could also fly to Puerto Rico (an unincorporated U.S. territory), which is only a few hours’ flight from New York or Florida.
3. Tacos
With such a heavy influence from Mexico, southern states like California, Arizona, and Texas have embraced and adapted Mexican dishes like tacos. Although those three states seem to have the most, you can find taco stands or Mexican restaurants in just about every corner of the United States.
Both California and Arizona have some healthier Mexican options like Tocaya Modern Mexican in both California and Arizona or El Cantaro in Monterey, California (not too far from the beautiful Big Sur coast), but Texas is not really known for healthy Mexican food.
4. Tex-Mex
We’ve found that California and Arizona have more authentic Mexican dishes, while Texas has created its own fusion of Mexican food. Unfortunately, the food is typically quite unhealthy with loads of cheese and fried foods, but it is extremely popular in the state.
Obviously Texas is the best place to find Tex-Mex food but you can find some Tex-Mex restaurants outside of the state. The one healthy and delicious Mexican restaurant we have found in Texas is Hugo’s Invitados in Dallas.
5. Cuban
If you are visiting Miami, Florida you’ve got to take some time to explore the neighborhood of Little Havana and get a taste of one of the most popular cuisines in the city, Cuban food.
Although the cuisine comes from the island of Cuba, the large population of Cubans in Miami has made it a part of this city’s identity. You can find Cuban restaurants all over the state, but some of the most popular are found right in Little Havana on Calle Ocho.
The Cuban sandwich, the medianoche sandwich, and ropa vieja are some of the popular Cuban dishes.
6. Burgers
With so much of the American food culture including cuisines from around the world, burgers are one of the most known “American” foods. The typical fast food burger actually originated in California with companies based out of the state like McDonalds or Mel’s Drive-in.
Those fast food burgers are now known as some of the most unhealthy meal options in America but one of our favorite healthier burger chains that actually originates in Austin, Texas is the Hopdoddy Burger Bar.
7. Hotdogs & Corn Dogs
Along with the greasy, fried, and fast food of hamburger joints, America is also known for its baseball and state fair style cuisines like hotdogs and corn dogs.
It’s not the most special dish in the US but it’s a popular quick meal whether you’re watching a baseball game in LA or grabbing something from a street cart in New York City.
8. Philly Cheesesteak
Not every city in America has a special dish known only to that city, but the city of Philadelphia is famous for its cheesesteaks.
Right in the middle of the city, just south of downtown, you’ll find two competing cheesesteak spots Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks, where you’ll have to pick a side and decide which one is the best.
9. American Breakfast
Americans eat lots of different breakfast items depending on the amount of time they have in the morning, but the typical American breakfast usually consists of some combination of eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage or bacon, pancakes or waffles, and juice or coffee.
There are lots of breakfast cafes around the country that serve these types of meals and mid-range hotels often offer free morning breakfasts for guests (although they are typically not high quality), but one of our favorite breakfast spots in Scottsdale, Arizona is Butters Pancakes & Café.
10. Donuts
Originating in New York, the donut is one of those quick, tasty, and very unhealthy breakfast or snack meals Americans like to eat when they’re in a hurry or just want something sweet.
No matter where you are in the United States, you will be able to find donut shops whether it’s a big city or a small little town.
If you’re visiting New Orleans, Louisiana, the famous beignets are basically their version of the donut but with loads of powdered sugar on top. Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter is the perfect place to try one of these sugary treats.
11. Pizza
Although pizza is definitely an Italian dish, American pizza is quite different but extremely popular, especially when ordering delivery for nights in or parties with lots of people.
Lots of cities around the country have specific styles of pizza like New York or Chicago but this is not typically a very healthy American meal.
12. Buffalo Wings
Although pizza is a popular party food, when people get together to watch American football, one of the most popular dishes is wings.
Originating in Buffalo, New York, the typical buffalo wings are fried and covered in sauce but you can also find some healthier options that are baked or made without breading.
13. Bagels
The New York bagel actually originates from the Jewish communities but this state remains one of the best places to get this morning snack in the United States.
California also has numerous Jewish deli and bagel shops due to the large Jewish community in the state, and one of our favorite places to get a gluten free bagel is at Wholesome Bakery in San Francisco, California.
14. Sourdough Bread
San Francisco, California is known for a few different food dishes but one of the best things that comes from San Francisco is sourdough bread.
On our most recent trip to this city, we learned that what makes their sourdough bread so special is the bay air in which the bread is baked. No one can replicate the delicious taste of their sourdough bread because the climate is what makes it so tasty.
15. Burritos
Burritos are technically a Mexican dish but the origins of them are a bit debated. Whether they come from Mexico or California, today the burrito is one of the most popular dishes in the Golden State. They are especially popular among surfers since they are full of carbs.
You can find Mexican restaurants or even American restaurants all along the beaches in California that serve burritos but one of the best gluten free burritos we’ve found so far is at the Tocaya Modern Mexican restaurant, which has locations all over southern California.
16. Fried Chicken
Although BBQ food is a huge part of the Southern American food culture, fried chicken might be the biggest and most popular dish in the South.
The dish is highly unhealthy, especially at popular fast food chains that serve it, but there are some that try to serve somewhat healthier or at least allergy friendly southern food like Bantam + Biddy in Atlanta, Georgia.
The main dish of fried chicken is often combined with sides like mashed potatoes, grits, watermelon, collard greens, corn on the cob, or biscuits, and some sweet tea to drink.
17. Poke
Not too long ago Poke was a popular fresh fish and sushi creation found mostly in Hawaii but you don’t have to travel to this island state anymore to have a delicious bowl of tuna, rice, and toppings.
Poke is a super popular, and healthier, option all over the country, and you can find a poke restaurant on just about every corner of bigger cities.
18. Chinese
Obviously, Chinese food does not originate in the United States but it is one of the most popular cuisines in the country.
Chinese food is typically cheap and delicious so it’s the perfect satisfying meal for busy Americans.
Two cities to find some of the best Chinese food in the country are San Francisco and New York City in Chinatown.
19. Key Lime Pie
If you are taking a beach trip to Florida and heading all the way out to the end of the Florida Keys, you have to try the Key Lime Pie that originates right there in Key West. It is not a very healthy dessert but it is the official state pie of Florida.
There are lots of restaurants in Florida to find this popular dessert, or you can go straight to the Key Lime Pie Bakery in Key West to grab a taste.
20. Cioppino
Seafood is a popular meal along any coast within the United States, or even inland, but one of the most famous dishes from San Francisco, California is Cioppino.
It was actually created by Italians in the North Beach neighborhood of the city and typically consists of seafood stewed with tomatoes and wine.
Plenty of seafood or Italian restaurants in San Francisco serve this popular dish but our favorite seafood restaurant in the city is Scoma’s restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf.
21. Cobb Salad
Although salads are not an original American food, the cobb salad was created in Hollywood, California back in the 1930s. It’s a fresh salad, typically including ingredients like tomatoes, chicken, avocado, eggs, and bacon.
Restaurants and even fast food chains serve this popular salad option all over the country but the Brown Derby was the original restaurant that created the salad.
The restaurant has unfortunately closed since its opening in the 1920s but you can visit the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Universal Studios which features this famous salad.
American Food Culture FAQs
Below are a few extra FAQs about American food culture and the cuisine of this country.
Why Is It Difficult To Define American Cuisine?
It is difficult to define American cuisine because so much of the food that is a part of this country’s culture comes from other countries.
America has very few dishes that would be considered truly American so the food we eat in this country isn’t typically strictly American.
The food in this country is just a reflection of the way America is often considered a melting pot in terms of cultures and the mix of people that call this country home.
How Healthy Is American Food?
American food is generally very unhealthy and the culture here typically does not want to make a change to a healthier lifestyle. Although it can be done with some research and planning, it is typically pretty hard to eat healthy in America.
However, our main goal is to find food to eat that is clean and healthy all over the world and right here in our home country, and we keep a list of all the healthier restaurant options we find on our travels.
What Is The Most Popular American Food?
Statistically, and due to the lack of what is actually considered “American” food, hamburgers would probably be considered the most popular American food dish.
They’re quick, easy, tasty, and satisfying which is key to American food culture.
What Is Typical American Breakfast?
Aside from the quick cheap meals like cereal or frozen waffles, a typical American breakfast usually consists of some combination of eggs, hash browns, sausage or bacon, toast, and juice or coffee.
What Do Americans Eat For Lunch?
Lunch for Americans is typically quick and not terribly large with things like salads, soups, sandwiches, bowls, or even tacos.
Most working Americans take a small lunch break in the middle of their work day so they either pack a lunch to take with them, order delivery from a restaurant, or grab something from a quick service restaurant.
Final Thoughts:
Although American food culture is a mix of all kinds of cuisines from all over the world, there are still lots of special dishes to try when visiting the United States. No matter what part of the country you are visiting, there is something delicious to try even if it is not strictly American.
Author’s Bio: Fernweh Foreigner is a mother-and-daughter team that focuses on traveling with a healthy lifestyle. We have both dealt with health problems and have severe dietary restrictions and food allergies. But we love traveling so much that we don’t let any of that stop us. We are also huge soccer fans and love going to games wherever we travel!
