What American Cuisine Really Is

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

There is no such thing as American cuisine. The only food "invented" by Americans is Hot Dogs and Burgers, basically highly unhealthy junk food. Everything else has been brought over by the immigrants who make up the fabric of this country today. A country, by the way, that has the highest rate of obesity in the known Universe.

For that reason people outside the US might want to experience Italian, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Armenian, or Libanese cuisine, but not American. America is, and will ever be, a fast food, cheap, throw away society. Those with a taste for the eclectic and the financial means to enjoy life will look elsewhere.

I take it you live in Los Angeles or near there. A lot of Americans outside of California don't even consider LA part of the US. It's the capital of "plastic America aka fake". There is such a thing as American cuisine. Salmon patty's...and I'm not talking about that ####### Atlantic Salmon. I'm talking about good ol US west coast Pacific Salmon. There are several seafood dishes that are genuine American. Several way's to cook steak that are genuine American. Several wild game dishes that are genuine American. Try travelling to the Pacific Northwest, and then take a trip to the mid west then head south to New Orleans, Texas, etc.... Live and learn.

[Marzy 1]

Rare steaks at Black Angus and Ruth Chris.

[Marzy 1]

How about artichoke? I love this!

[evemonte 0]

Hamburger, pizza, sausage, bread... they are not originally from the U.S.

I have gone to Italian, Indian, Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants in places that I visited but I haven't spotted any authentic American restaurant. I mean a restaurant with that description.

Today is January 27. I arrived in the U.S. on October 27 last year. In my three months here, I have only been to Orlando, Los Angeles, San Diego, Burbank, Glendale, and Santa Monica. Maybe I haven't seen much but I am starting to ask myself: So... what is American cuisine really? You know, food that Americans can proudly call their own... food that has originated in the U.S.

Hakuna matata.

God bless us all.

FAE

authentic american food is found at mcdonald's. lol. america is a melting pot and the real americans are the american indians. so you may want to check where you can dine on american indian food. :-)

[Bernie C 24]

I think its a great subject and very interesting debate. After some more thought last evening I came up with this.

Here in Northwest Pennsylvania during deer hunting season if someone gets a deer you'll have about the most traditional Americn meal you can get. It still may be prepared with the spices and seasonings from wherever their background is but what the heck, I'm trying to come up with a good "example".

How about some good fresh Lake Erie Walleye, either baked or best of all to me, BEER BATTERED!!!

Ribs or Chicken Wings with Buffalo Red Hot or some home made blend of sause to get your palate watering!

Wow - too early in the morning to have my mouth watering like this!!!

[baron555 934]

they are not originally from the U.S.

Ever hear of the term "melting pot"?

[thongd4me 69]

Definitely neck & neck with Hawaiian beach-barbecue roast pig and Thanksgiving turkey.

Whichever one emits the most blood-curdling sound gets the prize.

[Rob and Jill 82]

When I think of American cuisine, the following comes to mind:

fried chicken/livers/gizzards, etc

turnip/collard greens

macaroni and cheese

pulled pork

sweet potato pie

I'm sure there are many more, but this is what comes to mind without having to think about it. lol

You forgot:

Fried Catfish

Grits

Pecan Pie

Real molasses

Cobblers of all sorts

Chicken fried steak

Fried okra...

Fresh Veggies from a garden, fried, broiled, grilled, mmmmmmmm.

Fried Green Tomatoes!

Maybe Fried is just the theme. Well, at least in the South.

The major difference I noticed between American food and food in the U.K. was the U.K. has MUCH MUCH less salt in their foods. Soda had ZERO salt in it. Never during my entire trip there did I have problems with my ankles swelling or that kind of stuff, and I dealt with it every day here.

[dezaman 1]

How about some

shrimp creole

jumbalaya

gumbo (seafood or straight)

etouffee (flip it how u want to)

boudain

crawfish (anyway u want it)

Wait I'm from Louisiana so thats part of America isn't it? We have our own cuisine down here....

Since Mardi Gras is about to kick off come and taste a lil different southern style of cooking.

Dee

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The beautiful thing about America is that as a young and extremely multicultural country, it allows its residents to enjoy exactly the food they like best. I personally didn't come to America for the burgers or Hot Dogs. In fact, at age 26 I had cancer and after two truly awful surgeries I changed my unhealthy lifestyle, including my eating habits, and have been a vegetarian since. My wife's life partner died of cancer at age 38, months before they planed to get married, and she has been a vegetarian since. Our daughter, now a college student, became a vegetarian at age 11 and turned vegan at age 19.

Yes, I get my occasional burger and fries at either Red Robin or Johnny Rockets, simply because I can any burger with a Boca patty, but I wouldn't call that cuisine. It's more a convenience thing: fast, affordable, effective, in two words: fast food.

As a SoCal resident, I'm lucky to live in a part of the country where we have plenty of restaurants to choose from. I have the "Taj," my favorite Indian restaurant, "The Greek at the Harbor," several Italian and Chinese restaurants, a Lebanese restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and South American Cuisine within 5 driving minutes, and if I want to enjoy French Nuveau Cuisine or visit B.F. Chang, I drive a few miles farther. Having lived in 7 countries and visited 32, I can't recall having such a fantastic choice anywhere but in the good ole' USA.

Not being impressed with "American Cuisine" does not mean putting American down, as there's a lot to love about this country. We should be able to view things critically, without being accused of being unpatriotic or asked why we moved here in the first place. In fact, the very essence of democracy is being critical and contributing to the process of daily life. Embrace it.

P.S.

About the worst food I've personally experienced in the Western world is German, Austrian, and Swiss cuisine. So going back is not an option for me.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Just Bob

[S_AL_ 1]

I'd say roasted Turkey and Pumpkin pie are original from the US

plus you should check that place 'In-n-Out'......uffffff the burgers and fries are heavenly!

[Darnell 8,478]

i think BBQ is authentic USA food.

[Darnell 8,478]

oh - here is some ethnic american

Vietnamese Sandwiches... at the vietnamese shops in Houston.

Uniquely American - not made or sold (to the best of my knowledge) in Vietnam.

[Cortr 3]

Fair enough Just Bob, good follow-up post.

I've visited Germany and Austria, and had mixed results with the food there. Some of it was very good, I'd even say excellent, and some was just gut-churning. Same as anywhere, I suppose.

[MikeInWyoming 2]

This has been an interesting thread. Many of the comments have been highly perceptive... but may I humbly sugest there is a problem with the original question. America is a very big country and while I will grant that anything with Corn in it probably qualifies in some way, what we really have are many cuisines. Tex-Mex is authentic to Texas (New Mexico variants being a bit different) and not really the same as Mexican. New York Clam Chowder is as different from New England Clam Chowder as it is from bouillabaisse. Chicken Fried Steak with cream gravy just isn't found east of the Mississippi. The Chili they make in Cleveland is nothing like the Chili we make in Wyoming. And yes Chili is American. But it is different region by region.

I defy you to find a deep fried turkey anywhere outside the USA - and if it wasn't for Walmart - it would still be limited to the Southeast. Pumpkin pie anyone? Seems to me that is quintessentially American. And how about a slice of pecan pie?

I imagine that ranchers in Argentina lay claim to having as good steaks as we have here. But it is also true that we did not get that from them. Our love affair with prime beef is not something we imported but rather developed here.

Yes it is true and we are proud that all cultures are represented in our country and at our tables. It is one of the things that makes us truly unique.

For those of you who are new to the USA, we who have come before you say, Welcome. We also say that like the mouse that looks at the elephant, you are seeing a small part of a magnificently large, complicated and ever self re-inventing nation. What ever your first impressions - and I hope you write them down and remember them - they will be modified many times over before you are truly done.

Edited January 28, 2010 by MikeInWyoming