American cuisine is a melting pot of diverse influences, flavors, and traditions. From the Native American staples of corn, beans, and squash, to the European immigrants who brought their cheese, bread, and beer, to the African slaves who introduced okra, rice, and peanuts, to the Asian immigrants who added soy sauce, noodles, and spices, American food is a reflection of the country’s rich and diverse history.
But what are the most popular and quintessential American foods and varieties? How did they originate and evolve? And where can you find the best examples of them? In this article, we will explore 10 of the most iconic American dishes and beverages, and give you some tips on how to enjoy them.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are one of the most ubiquitous and beloved American foods, especially at sporting events, picnics, and barbecues. They consist of a sausage, usually made of beef or pork, that is grilled or boiled and served in a bun, often with toppings such as mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, cheese, and chili.
The history of hot dogs is disputed, but some claim that they originated in Germany or Austria, where sausages were popular since Roman times. The term “hot dog” was coined in the late 19th century in the United States, possibly as a joke or a reference to the resemblance of the sausages to dachshunds. The first hot dog stand was opened by a German immigrant named Charles Feltman in Coney Island, New York, in 1871, and soon became a popular attraction.
Today, hot dogs are sold in various styles and varieties across the country, such as the Chicago-style hot dog, which is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt; the New York-style hot dog, which is topped with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut or onion sauce; and the Detroit-style Coney dog, which is topped with chili, diced onions, and yellow mustard.
Apple Pie
Apple pie is a classic American dessert that consists of a flaky pastry crust filled with sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes butter, lemon juice, or nutmeg. The pie is usually baked until golden and served warm or cold, often with whipped cream, ice cream, or cheese.
Apple pie is not actually native to America, as apples were brought to the continent by European settlers in the 17th century. However, apple pie became a symbol of American identity and patriotism during the Revolutionary War, when a popular slogan was “as American as apple pie”. The phrase was later used to describe anything that was quintessentially American, such as baseball, jazz, and rock and roll.
Apple pie is widely available in bakeries, restaurants, and supermarkets across the country, but some of the best places to try it are in New England, where apples are abundant and the pie is often made with a crumbly topping of oats, brown sugar, and butter; in Pennsylvania, where the Pennsylvania Dutch make a double-crust pie with a lattice top and a sour cream filling; and in Vermont, where the pie is often served with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food that consists of cooked elbow macaroni mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, usually made of cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and flour. The dish is often baked in a casserole dish with a breadcrumb or cheese topping, and sometimes with additional ingredients such as bacon, ham, broccoli, or lobster.
Macaroni and cheese is another dish that has its roots in Europe, where pasta and cheese dishes were common since the Middle Ages. The first recorded recipe for macaroni and cheese was written by an English cook in the 14th century, and the dish was popularized in America by Thomas Jefferson, who served it at a state dinner in 1802 after importing a pasta machine from France.
Macaroni and cheese is a staple in American households, especially among children, and can be found in various forms and flavors in restaurants, cafeterias, and boxed mixes. Some of the most famous versions of macaroni and cheese are the Southern-style macaroni and cheese, which is made with eggs and evaporated milk and has a custardy texture; the Wisconsin-style macaroni and cheese, which is made with several types of cheese and has a gooey texture; and the lobster macaroni and cheese, which is a gourmet dish that adds chunks of lobster meat and truffle oil to the cheese sauce.
Reuben Sandwich
Reuben sandwich is a hearty and savory sandwich that consists of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, grilled between two slices of rye bread. The sandwich is usually served with a pickle and potato chips or fries, and is a popular lunch or dinner option.
The origin of the Reuben sandwich is disputed, but two of the most likely candidates are Reuben Kulakofsky, a Jewish Lithuanian-born grocer from Omaha, Nebraska, who allegedly invented the sandwich for his weekly poker game in the 1920s; and Arnold Reuben, a German-Jewish owner of Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City, who claimed to have created the sandwich for an actress named Annette Seelos in 1914.
Reuben sandwich is a specialty of delis and diners across the country, but some of the best places to try it are in New York City, where the sandwich is often made with pastrami instead of corned beef and served with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut; in Omaha, where the sandwich is made with Thousand Island dressing instead of Russian dressing and served with a side of kraut juice; and in Los Angeles, where the sandwich is made with turkey instead of corned beef and called a California Reuben.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a sweet and crunchy treat that consist of a buttery cookie dough with chocolate chips or chunks mixed in. The cookies are usually baked until golden and chewy, and are best enjoyed with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
Chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident by Ruth Graves Wakefield, the owner of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, in 1938. She was making a batch of chocolate cookies, but ran out of baker’s chocolate, so she substituted it with a bar of semi-sweet chocolate, hoping that it would melt and spread throughout the dough. However, the chocolate did not melt, but instead formed small morsels that gave the cookies a unique texture and flavor. Wakefield sold the recipe to Nestlé in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate, and the cookies became an instant hit.
Chocolate chip cookies are a staple in American bakeries, cafes, and homes, and can be found in various sizes, shapes, and flavors. Some of the most famous variations of chocolate chip cookies are the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which add oats to the dough for a chewier texture and a nuttier flavor; the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, which add peanut butter to the dough for a creamier texture and a richer flavor; and the white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, which replace the semi-sweet chocolate with white chocolate and add macadamia nuts for a crunchier texture and a sweeter flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Buffalo chicken wings are a spicy and tangy snack that consist of deep-fried chicken wings coated in a sauce made of hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and spices. The wings are usually served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing, and are a popular appetizer or finger food.
Buffalo chicken wings were created by Teressa Bellissimo, the co-owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. According to legend, she received a shipment of chicken wings by mistake, instead of the chicken necks she ordered for making spaghetti sauce. She decided to improvise and make a dish out of the wings, by frying them and tossing them in a sauce she concocted from the ingredients she had on hand. She served them to her son and his friends, who loved them and asked for more.
Buffalo chicken wings are a specialty of bars and restaurants across the country, especially during sporting events, and can be found in various levels of spiciness and flavors. Some of the most famous variations of buffalo chicken wings are the barbecue chicken wings, which add barbecue sauce to the hot sauce for a smokier and sweeter flavor; the honey garlic chicken wings, which add honey and garlic to the hot sauce for a stickier and milder flavor; and the lemon pepper chicken wings, which add lemon juice and black pepper to the hot sauce for a zesty and savory flavor.
The Hamburger
The hamburger is a simple and satisfying meal that consists of a ground beef patty, usually seasoned with salt and pepper, that is grilled or fried and served in a bun, often with toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. The hamburger is usually served with fries, onion rings, or salad, and is a popular lunch or dinner option.
The hamburger is one of the most disputed dishes in terms of its origin, but some of the most plausible theories are that it was inspired by the Hamburg steak, a dish of minced beef mixed with onions and spices that was brought to America by German immigrants in the 19th century; that it was invented by Fletcher Davis, a Texan cook who sold grilled beef patties with onion and mustard in a bun at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair; or that it was invented by Louis Lassen a cook who owned a small lunch counter in New Haven, Connecticut, who served grilled beef patties between two slices of bread to his customers in 1900.
