14 American Foods and Drinks That Leave the Rest of the World Scratching Their Heads
American cuisine is a melting pot of global influences, but even the most adventurous eaters find some uniquely American foods and drinks puzzling. The variety, ranging from traditional dishes to modern snack innovations, is impressive and bewildering. While American culture has profoundly influenced global cuisine—consider the global reach of hamburgers and Coca-Cola—some of its more peculiar culinary creations remain puzzling to international observers.
According to research by U.S. Foods, Americans dine out an average of 3 times per month and order delivery even more often, and many of the dishes they enjoy are deeply embedded in American food culture—even if the rest of the world isn’t quite sure what to make of them. Read on to explore 14 uniquely American foods and drinks that leave the rest of the world scratching their heads.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a staple in American sports bars and restaurants, especially during major sporting events like the Super Bowl. According to the National Chicken Council, Americans consumed over 1.45 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl weekend alone in 2023. The dish was first created in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s and has since become a cultural phenomenon.
What perplexes outsiders is the fiery, tangy hot sauce paired with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing—a combination many non-Americans find unusual. Some international diners are also surprised to learn that “Buffalo” has nothing to do with the animal but is instead a nod to the city where the dish originated.
Deep-Dish Pizza
While pizza is globally adored, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a fiercely debated phenomenon. Its thick, buttery crust and layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings make it more of a casserole than a traditional pizza. According to Forbes, the city is revered for its iconic deep-dish pizza yearly.
This pizza defies the norm, especially for Italians who favor thin, crispy crusts. Deep-dish has sparked heated debates about what qualifies as “real pizza,” with critics claiming it’s just a massive carb overload in disguise.
Twinkies
Twinkies, the golden sponge cakes with a creamy filling, are quintessentially American. Hostess, the company behind the snack, produces over 500 million Twinkies annually. While widely beloved in the U.S., many global consumers raise eyebrows at the snack due to its highly processed ingredients and questionable shelf life.
Twinkies represent America’s love of convenience foods but face criticism for their high sugar and calorie content. Despite the skepticism, there’s no denying their cultural significance—they’ve even been jokingly referred to as “indestructible.”
Macaroni and Cheese
Few foods are as universally comforting to Americans as macaroni and cheese. Kraft reportedly sells over 1 million boxes of its iconic product daily, highlighting its immense popularity in the U.S.
Outside of America, pre-packaged versions of mac and cheese often seem overly processed. While homemade versions are easier to understand, the love for neon orange powdered cheese has bewildered many.
Corn Dogs
Corn dogs—a hot dog coated in cornbread batter and deep-fried on a stick—are synonymous with American fairs and festivals. State fairs alone sell millions of corn dogs annually, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
Visitors are often surprised by this combination, questioning the pairing of sweet cornbread with a savory hot dog and the practical need to batter and fry something already cooked.
Root Beer Float
The root beer float, a blend of root beer and vanilla ice cream, has been a nostalgic American treat since the early 1900s. Americans consume a lot of root beer annually, especially during the summer months when the refreshing, fizzy drink becomes a staple at barbecues, picnics, and outdoor gatherings. Its sweet, creamy flavor makes it a popular choice for floats and other classic treats that pair perfectly with warm weather.
The herbal, medicinal root beer flavor perplexes global audiences, especially those unfamiliar with root beer. For many, pairing this unique soda flavor with ice cream is outlandish.
S’mores
S’mores are a quintessential American campfire dessert made with toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. During camping season, Americans make an estimated 90 million s’mores annually, according to the Hershey Company.
What puzzles non-Americans is the ritual of toasting marshmallows over a fire and the sugary overload of the final product—but for Americans, it’s all about the experience.
Tater Tots
Tater tots—bite-sized cylinders of grated, fried potatoes—are a widely adored snack and side dish in American cuisine. According to Ore-Ida, the company that invented them, over 3.5 billion tater tots are consumed in the U.S. every year.
For many foreigners, the concept of eating mini hash browns as a snack doesn’t quite compute, but few can resist their hearty crunch once they try them.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
The pumpkin spice latte (PSL) has become synonymous with fall in the U.S. Starbucks alone has sold over 424 million PSLs since introducing the beverage in 2003.
What confuses outsiders isn’t the latte itself but the sheer scale of the obsession around it. From pumpkin spice candles to pumpkin-flavored everything, international consumers sometimes find the seasonal craze baffling.
Fried Pickles
Fried pickles—pickle slices dipped in batter and deep-fried—have become a bar menu staple nationwide. Born in the South, they have expanded in popularity nationwide, with millions ordered each year.
The combination of tangy pickles and crunchy batter seems counterintuitive to some, but the contrast in textures and flavors has made them irresistible to American diners.
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid, the brightly colored and sugary drink mix, has been a beloved staple of American childhood since its invention in the 1920s by Edwin Perkins in Nebraska. Known for its bold flavors and iconic “Oh Yeah!” mascot, Kool-Aid symbolizes nostalgia and fun. Whether served at summer barbecues, birthday parties, or just as an everyday treat, Kool-Aid brings smiles to generations of fans.
Although the artificial colors and flavors are unappealing to many international foodies, the nostalgia factor in the U.S. ensures its enduring popularity.
Cheese Curds
Cheese curds, fresh, squeaky, unaged cheese chunks, are most commonly associated with Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin State Farmer, Wisconsin produces over 2 billion pounds of cheese curds annually.
While these are popular in poutine in Canada, many global consumers can’t understand their appeal as a standalone snack—especially when fried.
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O salad might be one of the quirkiest American contributions to the culinary world. This dish combines gelatin with fruits—and sometimes vegetables—creating a wobbly, colorful dessert (or side dish). According to Precedence Research, the global gelatin market is estimated at USD 8.58 billion in 2024.
The dish gained popularity in the 1950s and is often associated with potlucks and family gatherings. To those unfamiliar, suspending raw carrots or canned pineapple in flavored gelatin can be disconcerting.
Grits
A Southern staple, grits are made from ground corn and often served with butter, cheese, or shrimp. Three-quarters of grits sold in the U.S. are purchased in the South, sometimes referred to as the “grits belt.” In 2020, 3.22 million Americans consumed 10 or more portions of Quaker Quick Grits hot breakfast cereal., according to Statista.
However, many visitors from outside the U.S. can’t quite figure out the appeal of this mushy dish. Its texture and bland taste (before seasoning) make it a hard sell for those unaccustomed to Southern cuisine.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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