10 Best American Foods According to the Rest of the World

AUTHOR: Chris Phelan

Let's be honest. There are some things the United States does better than the rest of the world. Surprisingly, many overseas visitors to America give the country credit for some seriously fantastic food. From lobster rolls to carrot cake, the U.S. has earned the respect of other countries in the food world. Recently, Europeans met in an online discussion to reveal the best American foods they enjoyed when they visited stateside.

Table of Contents

1. Lobster Rolls
2. Smoked Brisket
3. Key Lime Pie
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
5. Philly Cheesesteak
6. Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts
7. Gumbo
8. Carrot Cake
9. Cornbread
10. Anything From Waffle House
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1. Lobster Rolls

Delicious lobster roll sandwich Served with a side of French Fries and fresh salad. New England lobster roll — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Made famous by New Englanders, there is arguably no American food more decadent than lobster rolls. Luscious lobster meat combined with mayonnaise stuffed into a soft roll is a dish that people worldwide love, especially tourists to the United States. There's one caveat: Lobster rolls are prohibitively expensive, with most rolls priced at $25 or more! It's a small price to pay for one of the most uniquely American foods you can eat.

2. Smoked Brisket

barbecue beef brisket, texas style — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

It doesn't matter if you're American or born outside the United States; everyone remembers the first time they experienced perfectly slow-cooked smoked brisket. According to many visitors to the States, their first taste of smoked brisket was a life-changing culinary experience, as the richness and flavor of the meat was something they couldn't get in their home country.

3. Key Lime Pie

This uniquely-tasting dessert frequently baffles overseas visitors. Is it a cake? Is it a pie? Is it an ice cream dish? Regardless of their confusion, visitors to America always come to one conclusion: Key Lime Pie is delicious. Who am I to argue with that?

4. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Americans know how to bake amazing desserts and sweets, and the rest of the world is jealous! Chocolate chip cookies are unique because no other country can get them right. The American style is gooey and irresistible. In fact, chocolate chip cookies are called American cookies in countries like Vietnam.

5. Philly Cheesesteak

Pennsylvania's Philly Cheesesteak — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

As someone who grew up eating Philly cheesesteaks regularly during my formative years, I must tip my hat to the classic cheesesteak; there's nothing else like it in the world. As it turns out, I'm not alone in my assessment, as many visitors to the U.S. call their visits to Philadelphia memorable for one specific reason: The Philly cheesesteak they ate.

6. Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts

Krispy Kreme based its business model on selling ultra-fresh donuts hot from the oven. In many cases, you can eat donuts that were made just seconds ago. This quality and freshness speak to Europeans; countless people from overseas often cite Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts as the one American food they constantly crave!

7. Gumbo

Traditional Creole cajun court bouillon with fish and seafood gumbo chowder stew as top view in a pot with copy space right — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Cajun food is one of the United States' most significant contributions to world cuisine. Many visitors are blown away by cajun dishes when visiting the American deep south, especially gumbo. "If you eat gumbo from a grandmother's kitchen south of Interstate-10 in a small town, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven," expresses one Irishman. I could eat gumbo every night of the week and be content.

8. Carrot Cake

While countries like Italy and France are known for their yummy desserts, some items in the United States stand head and shoulders above any dessert made overseas! "I might have had the best cakes of my life when I visited the United States a few years ago," reveals one woman. "One was a carrot cake at a wedding that I still think about often. I can't get any cake here in Italy that rivals that carrot cake."

9. Cornbread

Cornbread is bread containing cornmeal, corn flour. Beautiful homemade yellow sliced cornbread loaf under cotton towel. Blue wood background. Above view. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

As simple as it sounds, many Europeans are hooked on American-style cornbread. The simple Southern staple is famous for its simplicity and its deliciousness. "Yeah, as a guy who moved here, Americans have got cornbread down to a science," explains one European man. "Combined with some soul food? It makes me smile on the inside. It gives me high blood pressure but makes me smile on the inside too."

10. Anything From Waffle House

For some reason, overseas visitors are blown away by the greatness known as Waffle House. The breakfast chain encapsulates everything American, from its oversized portions to its extensive menu. Fortunately, Waffle House's food quality is top-notch.

"I took my German uncle to Waffle House when he visited, and I swear that man ordered every item on the menu," confesses one woman. "Out of all the restaurants we went to, Waffle House is the only one he still talks about."

Source: Reddit.