There are certain foods and drinks that America is known for either because they were first made here or because they became so popular that America essentially adopted them and made them its own (like cheeseburgers). Despite the popularity of these foods, some people have never gotten around to trying some of them. Following are 15 that surprisingly large numbers of people have never tried.
American-Style Casseroles
Examples include green bean casserole and tuna noodle casserole. They’re not on many restaurant menus, and many people just don’t care for how they look.
Breakfast at a Waffle House
These restaurants are all over the South and parts of the Midwest, and most are open (and serve breakfast) 24 hours a day. They’re where many people have tried their first steak and eggs platter for breakfast.
Spam
To some people, Spam has a stigma to it, indicating poverty or poor taste. Some haven’t tried because they’re not exactly sure what it is.
Grits
Popular in the South, grits are made from dried ground corn cooked in water, milk, or broth. The finished dish is thick and creamy, almost like porridge in consistency.
Succotash
Here’s another from the South. It consists of sweet corn and lima beans. It’s common to add other veggies, such as diced onions or peppers.
Crawfish
In much of the South, especially Louisiana, crawfish are a delicacy. Many haven’t tried them because they’re not that common elsewhere, they’re a bit messy, and there’s not much meat inside. A crawfish boil is more a social event than a sit-down meal.
Twinkies
These golden cream-filled snack cakes are one of the most popular sweets in America. Some have never tried one because of the sugar content or just because they consider it junk food and want something healthier.
Funnel Cake
The sugar-coated deep-fried batter is all there is to funnel cake. They’re common at carnivals and amusement parks. Maybe the always-long lines to get some are why many people have never tried it.
Chicago-Style Pizza
Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza. New York-style pizza is by far the most popular in the country, which might be why it’s not as common outside its namesake area. It isn’t hard to find it if you look, though.
Corn Dogs
This sausage is coated with cornmeal batter that’s deep-fried and served on a stick. It’s one of the most quintessentially American of American foods.
Big Mac
Almost everyone has been to a McDonald’s at least once, but not everyone has tried its signature sandwich. Served on a bun sliced into 3 pieces, it has 2 beef patties, cheese, onions, lettuce, a pickle, and the “Secret Sauce.”
Cheese Whiz
Kraft makes this processed cheese sauce. It’s often spread on hot dogs and corn chips, and sometimes it’s used in Philly cheesesteaks, which some consider to be an atrocity.
Rocky Mountain Oysters
These are bull testicles breaded and deep-fried. Tasty as they may be to some, it’s not surprising that a lot of people have no interest in trying them.
Eggnog
Hugely popular around Thanksgiving and Christmas, many people have never had a sip, alcohol or no alcohol. The traditional ingredients are milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
If someone doesn’t drink alcohol, it’s not surprising that they’ve never tried this legendary sipping whiskey. Its price may be another deterrent. It’s not close to being the most expensive in its category, but there are a lot of varieties that are much cheaper, so it’s yet another stereotypical American food or drink many people have never tried.
Hi, I’m Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food and travel writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find delicious recipes and fun travel ideas.
