The 20 Best American Foods, According To Non-Americans

American Food Gets A Bad Rap

American food is criticized worldwide for having no finesse. However, there are plenty of delicious dishes the land of the free has brought into our lives. Let's show American cuisine some love with this list of the 20 best foods the nation has bestowed on the world. 

1. Pecan Pie

If you want to impress your non-American friends, serve pecan pie at your next gathering. The sugary, nutty richness is sure to bring some smiles to faces and shut their criticisms about American food right up. 

2. Curly Fries

Whoever thought to make fries but curly is a genius. There's something so satisfying about crunching down on a crispy but twisty potato.

3. Chicken Parmesan

Contrary to what you might think, chicken parmesan actually has American origins. The delicious dish of breaded chicken soaked in tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese was invented by Italian immigrants in the northeast US. 

4. Breakfast Cereal

An essential part of the classic American diet, the first cold breakfast cereal was invented in the US in 1863. More than a century later we now have an entire grocery store aisle dedicated to all the different forms and flavors. 

5. Meatloaf

Although there are many different forms of meatloaf with different origins, American meatloaf is a version all its own. It was created by German immigrants in Pennsylvania and is typically made up of ground meat, and spices, and topped with ketchup. 

6. Cornbread

Created by indigenous tribes, cornbread is as American as it gets. The slightly sweet, buttery bread is now a staple of Southern American cuisine. 

7. Ranch Dressing

Made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, pepper, and herbs, ranch dressing is a classic American offering that non-Americans are obsessed with. It was created in 1949 by a cowboy in California. 

8. Lobster Rolls

Americans in Connecticut knew not to be pretentious about lobster when they served it on a roll and wrapped it in foil. Ever since it made its debut in the 1920s people have flocked to the east coast for the delicacy. 

9. Southern Fried Chicken

The real birthplace of fried chicken is no doubt Scotland where they deep fry everything, but you can't think about the American South without the iconic dish coming to mind. The American version is a melting pot of Scottish and spicier West African varieties of the same concept. 

10. Tex-Mex

The Americanized version of Mexican food is different enough to be its own cuisine. Tex-Mex food has its origins in Texas where cooks kept adding ingredients to classic dishes to make them more appealing to Texan patrons. Thus, nachos, hard-shell tacos, and fajitas were born. 

11. BBQ Brisket

The dish that has now become synonymous with Texas barbecue actually has its origins in traditional Jewish food. However, it probably looked a lot different from the mouthwatering, sauce-drenched, uber-slow-cooked piece of meat those Southerners have perfected. 

12. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

A school lunch box classic, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches of PB&J first appeared in the Boston Cooking School magazine in 1901. They're the ultimate nostalgic snack for Americans; however, for non-Americans who didn't grow up with peanut butter, they're a new-age delicacy. 

13. Pancakes

Although there are many different forms of pancakes dating all the way back to ancient Greece, the version we associate with the US was brought over by settlers from Holland, adapted from the classic Dutch variety. Now they're a classic American diner staple enjoyed by Americans and non-Americans alike.

14. Corn Dogs

This classic fair food originated in the US in the 1920s. It's unclear who was the true mastermind behind it as different establishments claim to have invented it, but whoever first thought of wrapping a sausage in batter and deep-frying it is a true genius.

15. Deep-Dish Pizza

We know pizza is Italian, but deep-dish is American all the way. The original recipe was created by a pizzeria in Chicago in 1943 and quickly became a favorite delicacy that became a staple of the city's food scene enjoyed by tourists from all over the world. 

16. New York Bagels

Although many cities have some version of a bagel, the American version was created in Manhattan's Lower East Side by Jewish immigrants. New York bagels are different because they're boiled before they're baked, giving them a shiny and more pronounced crust. 

17. S'Mores

The ultimate campfire snack is a truly classic American dessert enjoyed by campers the world over. The combination of roasted marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate is such a heavenly match, it's no wonder they called it "s'more," a shortened version of "some more." 

18. Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie comes from Key West, Florida in the early 20th century. It was adapted from lemon cream pie, using sweetened condensed milk instead of fresh dairy because refrigeration would have been hard to come by in those days. The sweeter flavor imparted by the lime and graham cracker crust quickly became a favorite of anyone passing through the region.

19. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Americans can be proud of this food invention. Chocolate chip cookies were created in the 1930s by the baker in charge of Toll House Restaurant. Needless to say, they are hugely popular in just about every country around the world. 

20. Buffalo Wings

The concept of cooking chicken wings in that special peppery sauce originated in, you guessed it, Buffalo, New York. The concept spread fast to other countries that serve similar versions but may just call them "chicken wings" or "hot wings."