Tour USA for a crazy snack fest! With its multi-cultural population, different influences depending which part of the country you’re in, and fondness for going big or going home, the USA is responsible for the creation, popularisation or adding their own tasty twist to countless dishes, snacks and things that come in a can that shouldn’t (nothing in a can is included on this list).
There are a lot of foods just waiting to tempt your foreign taste buds, so we have picked seven highlights that you simply cannot leave the country without having ticked off the to-try list.
Bagels
New York City, NY
Bagels are a staple in many North American cities, particularly those with large Jewish populations. Case in point, New York City. New York is widely regarded as the place to bagel in the USA – by New Yorkers at least.
In case you’ve been living under a very mean rock and have never had the pleasure of tasting one of these simple yet spectacular creations, a bagel is a ring of dough that has been briefly boiled before baking. They are chewy, dense, delicious and available all over the place in the city that never sleeps – presumably because its residents are fulfilling their vital responsibility of baking ever more bagels.
Available in sweet or savoury, plain or poppyseed, bagels come in a variety of flavours with a range of toppings to go with them.
Instagram – @BlackSeedBagels
Pizza
Chicago, IL
First of all, it is important to note that this list is in no particular order, and we are in no way endorsing pizza in Chicago ahead of pizza in New York.
Italian migrants brought one of their nation’s best inventions with them when they came to the US, and the classic dish has since been developed in different ways in different cities. Chicago’s take on it was to say bigger is better, and thus the deep-dish pizza we all know and love was created. You can find deep-dish pizza almost everywhere you turn in Chicago – slices are available from casual takeaways and sit-down restaurants serve whole pies. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could give stuffed pizza, another typically Chicagoan dish, a go.
Philly Cheesesteak
Philadelphia, PA
Any self-respecting fan of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air knows the Philly Cheesesteak is a staple in Philadelphia, so if you’re in town to check out the Liberty Bell or pose on the ‘Rocky steps’ make sure you do Will proud and sink your teeth into one of these. A Philly Cheesesteak is pretty self-explanatory – thin slices of steak are topped with plenty of melted cheese and served in a long bread roll. You won’t be hard pressed to find one – these delicacies are served everywhere: food trucks, casual cafes, restaurants and bars.
Mexican
Los Angeles, CA
California is one of the most multi-cultural states in the USA. Serving as a gateway to the US from other parts of the world and experiencing high levels of immigration has meant the state and its cities have soaked up influences from all over, so there are many different cuisines to try here.
Mexican culture is well and truly an established part of California’s identity. In LA alone, the Mexican ethnic group accounts for around 30% of the population – and the result is that the Mexican food tradition is alive and kicking throughout the city.
Countless taco shops serving burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and carne asada fries can be found around LA. And with those famous California avocados, you would be well advised to add that top-notch guacamole to your order.
Instagram – @NewYorkPizzaProject
Pizza
New York City, NY
New Yorkers are busy and always in a hurry to get somewhere, which is why they created the most efficient pizza-eating method possible. Large, thin pizza pies traditionally light on the toppings – the basic version is simply tomato sauce and mozzarella – are cut into wide slices with a crust that is a little crunchy yet soft enough to fold in half. By-the-slice is the most popular way to enjoy pizza in New York. Eat it standing up and feel like a star on any sitcom set in NYC.
Key Lime Pie
Florida Keys, FL
Pie in the US is a bit of a thing, so make sure you try at least one slice when in the land of the free. Key Lime Pie is one of the most famous, after Apple Pie of course. But Key Lime Pie has one up on Apple in that Jason Biggs hasn’t permanently marred the innocent thought of it just yet.
Key Lime Pie is made of egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and Key lime juice – limes with more bitter, tart flavor than the standard lime, that take their name from the Florida Keys region with which they are most commonly associated – in a tasty pie crust.
Gumbo
New Orleans, LA
You’ll find plenty of culture to soak up in New Orleans – the live music scene, the vibrant nightlife and the city’s own brand of cuisine that reflects its culture blend of American, African and French influences. While gumbo is now popular in many places in the south, Louisiana is its home so there is no better place to taste this comforting, thick stew.
Gumbo is typically made with a strongly-flavoured stock, either meat or shellfish, a thickening agent and vegetables – usually celery, capsicum and onions. The first records of this dish in the US come from the early 1800s, and it is now a popular item served in many places, with a variety of versions available.
Compare tours USA below!
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC.
