I am currently visiting the USA, and before I leave I want to try some food that is “uniquely” american - IE, you can’t really find it outside of the country.
UK stores do tend to have a “USA section” which has a small amount of sweets and other products. But I am wondering what americans specifically missed / couldn’t find in other countries.
As an example - Wendy’s as far as I’ve seen, isn’t local to the UK or at least where I live. So trying that was a “unique american food”, to me.
I’m also in Chicago at the moment, so I made sure to try a proper (real?) Chicago deep dish pizza (loved it, by the way).
Alternatively, any other suggestions of food to try?
Immediate edit - turns out Wendy’s is in some locations in the UK. I just assumed incorrectly!
Thanks for all the suggestions!!
If you’re in Chicago at the moment, I think you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t have an Italian Beef sandwich and a hot dog Chicago-style as well.
And you should get them from Portillo’s. People from other places in the US make sure to get some Portillo’s when they’re in Chicagoland.
Portillos got bought out a while back. It’s not particularly great any more.
American breakfast cereals are unique (because they’re all desserts).
If you’re in Chicago get a Chicago style hotdog from a street vendor.
I’m from the South so I default to recommend (despite being a vegetarian) fresh cornbread (without the sugar), gumbo, grits, biscuits & gravy, and chicken fried steak. Chicago ain’t ideal for those foods.
An excellent suggestion. OP would do good overall to get a bit of Cajun exposure. I haven’t seen a crawfish boil since 2020 and moving away from Texas. So I can’t conjecture the availability or quality of Cajun or Creole cuisine in Chicago.
I did introduce a bunch of yankees to zydeco though.
I will second the biscuits and gravy! They are my go to. If you see it on a menu I also recommend creamed chipped beef. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but very American. It’s my absolute favourite. It’s like biscuits and gravy except the gravy is made with a dried salted beef instead of sausage, either on toast or biscuits.
Have a wonderful trip!
I recommend trying some Tex Mex and barbeque.
I’d generally advise avoiding chain restaurants like Wendy’s now that you’ve tried it. There’s differences, but if you’ve had one, you’ve had them all.
Not sure what other parts of the country you’re visiting, but keep an eye out for small, local diners and ask if they have any house specials.
If you see a local place that’s also known as a “truck stop diner”, stop and eat (unless it’s a chain like Waffle House, IHOP, etc. Not that those are bad, they’re just not as good as a local eatery). My recommendation would be something off the breakfast menu (which is typically available at all hours). Bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc. Usually they’ll give you massive portions, they’re delicious, and fairly inexpensive.
Some of the best food I’ve ever had was from a local truck stop diner that sadly went out of business shortly after COVID.
They should go to a Waffle House just for the cultural experience, ideally after midnight to see the real wild shit
Since someone already mentioned Tex Mex and BBQ, I’d also add you should try to find some authentic Mexican food. It’s technically American and I have heard European Expats complain that they can’t get it overseas. Teriyaki, though I’ve never had it in Chicago, it is certainly very different depending what region of the US you get it in, and it’s nothing like what you’d find elsewhere. Biscuits and gravy for breakfast. And lastly Pecan Pie. Preferably after a serving of Mac and cheese and collard greens.
