Quintessential American Cuisine

It’s kind of hard to say what exactly “American Food” is.  The United States is a melting pot of different cultures, and with different cultures come different foods.  So we can think of this melting pot as metaphorical as well as literal.  What makes a difference between American food, and non American food is clear “Americanization” of other foods.  The essence of American food usually is derived from other cultures.  So what are the quintessential American dishes that one would need in an all-American restaurant? 

Mac & Cheese:

            It’s more than likely if you were raised in the United States that Mac and Cheese was a prominent dish in your early life.  This is because it combines three of the things us Americans love the most: pasta, cheese, and fat!  The dish has Italian, British, and Swiss influence; but it has been adapted seamlessly into American culture.  Kraft has made sure of this.  From easy-mac to noodles shaped like Wonder Woman, we have a kind of macaroni for any discerning American. 

California Rolls:

            This is a perfect example of a food that has been drastically Americanized.  A California roll, is a roll of sushi containing cucumber, crab, and avocado.  This is extremely different to more traditional Japanese sushi, which has much more exotic ingredients such as squid, and eel.  Americans have adapted this dish into something within our comfort zone.  Although not every American has been influenced by the pleasures the California roll:  the California rol has certainly been heavily influenced by Americans.

Southern Fried Chicken:

            American fried chicken is world famous.  Although fried chicken already existed in other parts of the world, it is recognized as a very American food.  This is because it was perfected in the American south.  Whether it’s KFC, Popeyes, or Raising Canes (my personal favorite) southern chicken never disappoints in being one of the greasiest, nastiest, and tastiest foods in existence. 

This is not American food in it’s entirety; that would be impossible to list.  This is because just about any dish can be (and has been) Americanized.  The German hamburger, the Italian pizza, and the Mexican taco; all Americanized.  This would bode well for variety in an “American” restaurant.