If there was ever one place in particular in the world where one could say that almost all if not all cultures come together then it would be the United States of America. Finding someone who can truly say they are a native of the US is like finding a needle in a haystack nowadays. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, it’s actually what makes the United States the great country it is.
When it comes to food, typical US food is another perfect example of how this country basically became a melting pot of cultures. So what can be considered some truly US food staples?
First and Foremost, What Is Typical American Food?
While there has been an infinitude of studies to try and pinpoint which foods can be donned as typical US fare, is there really something that can be considered totally original to the stars and stripes country? The United States has been known for generations now as the promised land for people of all cultures wanting to change their lives around and go after the “American dream”. So what do you get when people from all over come together to coexist in a common place, like the US for example? Well, again, a literal melting pot of foods, all coming together, mixing and mingling and forming what US citizens might think as typical local foods.
For example, on the east coast, you can find great Italian influences as well as eastern European, Latin American, Caribbean, and Asian. On the west coast on the other hand you’ll find heavy Mexican as well as east and southeast Asian influences in the food. The middle and northern parts of the country are more influenced by European cooking styles like Polish and German and the south is all about the old Caribbean, French and Spanish influences from when those parts of the US belonged to France and Spain.
Entering the “Who Does It Better?” Food Debates
While the United States works perfectly as a place to find basically anything and everything to satisfy any indulgences there are certain foods that even spring up debates as to who does it best. Food tours to try out all the best options around are usually a very sought after tourist activity. Here’s where something like a top brand translation service can come in handy in case you or someone you know is a tourist that’s not a master in English.
Barbecue for example is somewhat an almost religious matter in the United States. While in Texas it’s all about grilling beef, in certain parts of the south including places like Missouri, the Carolinas, and Georgia, pig is the way to go with sweet and tangy bbq sauces taking the lead in the flavor departments.
Then there’s pizza. While yes, pizza is an Italian import, the US has made it a point to make it feel as traditional as it does back in Europe. The debate of course sparks up when picking who makes the best pizzas. Is it the thin, cheese ridden New York style pizzas, or how about the Chicago deep dish pies? And let’s not forget about the California style pizza, with lighter ingredients and less fat. Chicago and New York also hold a grudge as to how the best way to eat a hot dog is. Mustard and maybe some sauerkraut is the NY style while Chicago fills the dog up with tomato, pickles, celery salt, and other fixings.
And what about hamburgers, the other great staple of US food that everyone relates the country to? All over the country, you will find an immense amount of options as to how to enjoy your burger best. Be it in one of the many massively famous fast-food restaurants like Macdonald’s, Burger King, In ‘n’ out, Five Guys or Whataburger or a fancy restaurant or bar, a good old burger, extra cheese, and pickles, hold the tomatoes for me, is always easy to be found.
As American as Apple Pie
If there’s one thing that everyone in the US can agree on is that there’s always room for dessert. Pie making can easily be considered an art form of the local cuisine. Pie can be made with almost anything and if properly made the results will always be delicious. Imagine a slice of warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I know, it sounds amazing, and that’s without talking about other great options like cherry, peach, berry, rhubarb, pumpkin, and key lime pie just to name a few.
Apart from that cookies, brownies, cheesecake, and many other options pop up almost instantaneously if you have a sweet tooth in dire need of a sugary fix. The US can brag about having some of the best sweet offerings to cater to anybody’s desires and just like with their other foods we are here for it.