2/08/2021

America's Regional & Traditional Cuisines

Before beginning, you should know that I'm no foodie. But I like the challenge of categorizing things, and this is my attempt to categorize America's signature foods.  As a country of mutts, it should come as no surprise that our food is mutt-like, a fusion of cuisines stolen from around the world and then Americanized - almost always with regrettable consequences. 


  1. 60s retro - Salisbury steak, casseroles, fondue, tomato soup, pimiento loaf, fruit cocktail, tater tots, Jello, Twinkies
  2. Afternoon tea - Red velvet cake, tomato sandwiches, tomato aspic
  3. BBQ (Texas, Carolina) - Brisket, pulled meats, pork/beef ribs, cole slaw
  4. Boardwalk/fair food - Coney dogs, corn dogs, boardwalk fries, popcorn, cotton candy, shaved ice
  5. Cajun breakfast (Louisiana) - Cafe au late, beignets
  6. Cajun dinner (Louisiana) - Muffuletta, po'boy, etouffee, red beans & rice
  7. Chinese fusion - Chop suey, chow mein, fried rice
  8. Colonial (Virginia) - Smoked ham, venison, game, peanut soup, cobbler, cider
  9. Crab feast (Maryland) - Steamed crabs, crab cakes
  10. Creole dinner (Louisiana) - Gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding
  11. Cuban fusion (Miami) - Cuban sandwich, Mofongo, plantains, key lime pie
  12. Deli food (New York)- Philly cheesesteak, sub sandwiches, ruebens, fried pickles, potato chips, bagels & lox, cheesecake
  13. Diner food - Meatloaf, hot dogs, tuna melts, grilled cheese sandwiches, BLTs, macaroni & cheese, onion rings, apple pie
  14. Fast food - Hamburgers/cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes, banana splits
  15. Fine dining - Delmonico steak, Caesar salad, baked Alaska, Manhattan cocktails
  16. Fish fry (New England) - Fried seafood, clam chowder, poutine
  17. Swedish/German fusion (Great Lakes) - Smoked salmon, pasties, Swedish meatballs, cheese curds, cherry pie
  18. Hawaiian/Polynesian-fusion (Hawaii) - Conch, Spam, poke bowls, poi
  19. Italian fusion - Pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli
  20. Midwestern food - Steak, prime rib, bison, potatoes, buckeyes
  21. Native American fusion - Frybread, corn on the cob, squash/pumpkin, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, jerky
  22. New Southern - Hot chicken, chicken & waffles, chicken-fried steak, buffalo wings
  23. Nouvelle cuisine (California)  - California rolls, cioppino, fish tacos, cobb salad, avocado toast
  24. Picnic food - Fried chicken, macaroni salad, potato salad, devilled eggs, lemonade
  25. Puerto Rico/Caribbean fusion (Puerto Rico) - Pernil, jerk
  26. Seafood feast (Maine) - Steamed seafood, lobster rolls
  27. Soul food - Fried catfish, collard greens, hoppin' john (black-eyed peas)
  28. Southern/plantation breakfast - Biscuits & gravy, home fries, grits, fried apples
  29. Southern/plantation dinner - Sugar-cured ham, baked beans, boiled peanuts, peach cobbler, banana pudding, sweet tea
  30. Tex-Mex (Texas) - Tacos, chili, burritos, fajitas, nachos, Frito pie, chimichangas
  31. Thanksgiving traditional - Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes

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