When you think of foods from around the world, it’s easy to picture exotic dishes from far-flung countries. However, many iconic “ethnic” foods that Americans love actually have their origins right here in the United States.
Everything from tacos to pizza are dishes that have come to symbolize certain cultures but were actually invented in the U.S.
So, before you reach for that takeout menu, here are 15 popular foods you might think are foreign, but are surprisingly homegrown.
- Tacos
- Pizza
- Buffalo Wings
- Bagels
- Hot Dogs
- Fortune Cookies
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
- Apple Pie
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Clam Chowder
- S’mores
- Fried Chicken
- Cornbread
- Caesar Salad
- Cobb Salad
Tacos
Though often associated with Mexico, the version many Americans know today was actually popularized in California during the early 20th century. Mexican immigrants did influence its development, but it was the American adaptation of the taco that helped it gain widespread popularity. The U.S. taco evolved to include hard shells, ground beef, and cheddar cheese, staples in American taco culture.
Taco Bell, which opened its first restaurant in 1962, was instrumental in popularizing this modern image of the taco and transforming it into a fast-food staple. Today, the taco is considered a classic American food, even though it originated in Mexico.
Pizza
Although pizza is indeed Italian in origin, the form that most Americans know and love today was perfected in America, specifically in New York City. The combination of a thin crust, tomato sauce, and cheese became widely popular in the early 1900s with the influx of Italian immigrants.
However, the addition of toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, and a variety of cheeses made pizza distinctly American. From Chicago’s deep-dish pizza to New York’s foldable slice, different regions developed their own versions over the decades. Today, pizza is identified so much with American food culture that its true Italian origins are often forgotten.
Buffalo Wings
Although they bear the name buffalo, these wings originated in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. These are preparations of deep-fried chicken wings with a spicy sauce, which were invented in a local bar by the founder of the Anchor Bar. Originally intended as a snack for the bar’s regulars, buffalo wings quickly became a sensation, spreading across the country in the following decades.
The combination of crispy wings and flavorful, tangy sauce became a beloved part of American sports bars and gatherings. Today, buffalo wings are an iconic American food, with various regional and restaurant-specific takes.
Bagels
While bagels have their roots in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, it was in New York City that the bagel truly found its American form. Although Jewish immigrants had begun selling bagels in the early 1900s, it was in the U.S. that the bagel became a widespread breakfast item. When the bagel was introduced to mass production in the 1950s, it was able to spread far beyond Jewish enclaves.
The rise of the bagel as a breakfast food led to innovations like the “everything bagel” and the widespread popularity of bagel shops. Now, they are a staple of American breakfasts, with creamy cheeses and smoked fish such as lox, often paired with them.
Hot Dogs
The hot dog might seem an altogether German concern, but in its American variation, it is irrevocably tied to New York City. German immigrants brought sausages with them to the U.S. in the late 19th century, but it wasn’t until the early 20th century, when the bun was introduced, that the modern hot dog came into being.
Vendors like those at Coney Island sold hot dogs at baseball games, making them an enduring part of American culture. As the years went on, regional variations of the hot dog emerged, with toppings ranging from onions and mustard to chili and cheese. Today, hot dogs are often associated with Fourth of July celebrations and summer cookouts in the U.S.
Fortune Cookies
Despite their strong association with Chinese cuisine, fortune cookies were actually invented in California. These cookies were first made in San Francisco during the early 20th century and are believed to have been the creation of Japanese immigrants. They were served at Chinese-American restaurants even though their origin could actually be traced to a cultural amalgamation in the United States.
As time passed, they would become a staple of Chinese buffets and takeout places, symbolizing American Chinese food. Today, fortune cookies have become so entwined with the notion of being “Chinese” food that many people find this concept astonishing: it was actually an American invention.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Considered a classic American snack, this is a popular sandwich comprising of the mixture of peanut butter and jelly. However, origins of this sandwich date to early 1900s. While peanut butter itself exists from the late 19th century, the modern peanut butter and jelly sandwich became popular during the Great Depression.
Since the sandwich’s low cost made it available to many families, the sandwich gained a foothold in American homes. Eventually, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches became a lunchbox staple, and their popularity only grew over the years. Today, it is one of the most recognizable American comfort foods, passed down through generations.
Apple Pie
Apple pie has often been used as a symbol of American culture. However, its origins can be traced back to Europe, particularly England and the Netherlands. The American version of apple pie became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as European settlers brought their recipes with them. However, the phrase “as American as apple pie” came to life in the post-World War II era as a symbol of patriotism and national identity.
Down the years, American bakers did their best to adapt the crust and apple filling of the pie to local tastes. Apple pie has become a type of dessert which is commonplace in American holidays, especially in Thanksgiving.
Macaroni and Cheese
Although its origins are from Italy, macaroni and cheese was first popularized in the 18th century in America, after Thomas Jefferson came across the dish in Europe. Jefferson’s enthusiasm for the dish helped it reach a wider audience, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that boxed versions of the dish, like Kraft, would make it a household staple.
The elbow macaroni with its creamy cheese sauce was the perfect fit for modern American kitchens. The dish has evolved over time with added variations like bacon, breadcrumbs, and gourmet cheeses that chefs have contributed. Macaroni and cheese is today one of the favorite comfort foods all over the U.S.
Clam Chowder
Although clam chowder-especially creamy New England-clam chowder-may be thought of as a quintessentially New England dish, its origins in America actually belong squarely to the 19th century. Based on influences from both French and English dishes, it nonetheless only took on its true American aspect with its adaptation to taste in the coastal New England towns.
New England clam chowder is basically a dish of potatoes, onions, celery, and milk or cream. Over time, regional variations developed but eventually the Manhattan clam chowder used a base made from tomatoes. Today, clam chowder is considered one of the classic dishes of American coastal cuisine.
S’mores
A treat loved by many over campfires, s’mores is an American invention that is born from the invention of the modern marshmallow and popularity of graham crackers. The treat was first documented in the 1920s, but it quickly became a staple of American outdoor traditions.
With just three ingredients—graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows—s’mores have become synonymous with summer camping and bonfires. Their simplicity and nostalgic charm make them an enduring American favorite. Now, s’mores are so iconic that they’ve been adapted into pies, cakes, and even flavored coffees.
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken has been more associated with Southern cuisine, although it, in fact, originated as the combination of African, European, and Native American culinary elements. Fried chicken is by no means a new tradition; rather, the Southern-style preparation became standardized during the 18th and 19th centuries. African American chefs throughout the South, and generally everywhere, perfected the cooking process by adding seasoning to chicken pieces and dredging them in buttermilk to add more crispiness.
Fried chicken soon became an American staple, especially in the South, where it still remains a comfort food favorite. As time passed, fried chicken spread throughout the country, becoming as common in fast-food restaurants as at family dinner tables.
Cornbread
Cornbread is one of the most deeply Southern of all American foods, but its roots are Native American. Long before the arrival of European settlers, native tribes used cornmeal to make flatbreads and cakes. As corn became a staple crop in the U.S., cornbread evolved, with Southern recipes using it as a side dish to complement savory stews and meats.
The adaptability of the dish allowed it to become central in American culinary tradition, often at family gatherings and holiday meals. Today, cornbread is enjoyed throughout the United States, in sweet to savory forms.
Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is typically an Italian dish, but in the 1920s it was actually invented in Tijuana, Mexico by an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini. Cardini is often said to have made the salad because he wanted to accommodate and impress guests at his restaurant on a holiday weekend when there were no greens or meat on hand.
The combination of romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing proved to be spot on. In the following decade, Caesar salad variations spread throughout the U.S., and it eventually became a staple on just about every restaurant menu nationwide. Today, the Caesar salad is a staple for casual and fine dining alike.
Cobb Salad
The Cobb salad is often thought of as a classic American creation, and it was indeed born in the 1930s at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood. Its invention is attributed to the owner of the restaurant, Robert Cobb, who threw together a mix of ingredients including chicken, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese.
The salad gained rapid popularity and became a symbol of Californian cuisine. The unique combination of flavors and textures kept the dish a staple within American restaurants. Today, the Cobb salad is a popular choice for health-conscious diners across the country.
