1. Biscuits and Gravy
For many tourists, the word “biscuit” immediately brings to mind something sweet, like a cookie or shortbread. So when they order biscuits and gravy at a diner, they’re shocked to see a plate of soft, fluffy bread smothered in thick, peppery sausage gravy. The look of confusion is almost universal, especially if they were expecting dessert with their morning coffee.
Once they take a bite, though, many admit it’s actually comforting and delicious. The savory flavor is unlike anything they usually eat for breakfast. Tourists often find themselves torn between fascination and disbelief that this is considered a normal morning meal in the South. It’s a crash course in how American comfort food can be both hearty and surprising.
2. Corn Dogs
Imagine biting into what looks like a golden piece of bread, only to find a hot dog hidden inside. That’s the corn dog, a carnival and fairground staple that leaves many visitors scratching their heads. The combination of sweet cornmeal batter and salty sausage isn’t something you’ll find in many other countries.
Tourists often find themselves wondering how you’re supposed to eat it. Do you dip it in ketchup, mustard, or just bite straight in? And why is it always on a stick? Still, after a few bites, most people admit it’s oddly satisfying, like a mix between fast food and festival fun.
3. Grits
Grits look like porridge, but they taste nothing like the oatmeal or cream of wheat that many tourists are used to. Made from ground corn, grits are a Southern breakfast staple that can be served with butter, cheese, or even shrimp. Tourists usually stare at the bowl trying to figure out whether it’s supposed to be sweet or savory.
For those who give it a try, the texture can be surprising, a little grainy yet creamy at the same time. When topped with shrimp or bacon, it suddenly makes sense as comfort food. But for the uninitiated, it’s one of the most puzzling dishes to show up on a breakfast table. Many leave still unsure how they feel about it.
4. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut butter exists in plenty of countries, and so does jam. But putting them together in a sandwich? That’s where Americans lose a lot of tourists. The salty, nutty spread mixed with sticky, sweet fruit just seems like a clash at first glance.
Still, it’s a childhood favorite here, and once foreigners try it, they often realize why. The creamy and sweet combo is simple but strangely addictive. Some even go home and try to recreate it, while others are left shaking their heads at how kids grow up eating something so unusual.
5. Chicken and Waffles
Sweet waffles are usually seen as a breakfast food in much of the world, while fried chicken belongs firmly in the savory dinner category. When tourists see them paired together on the same plate, it’s enough to cause a double take. A drizzle of syrup over fried chicken feels especially strange to outsiders.
But the flavor combination works in a way that surprises nearly everyone. The crunchy chicken, fluffy waffle, and sticky sweetness come together in a perfect bite. Once they’ve tried it, many tourists admit they finally get why this dish is beloved. Still, they often can’t believe it’s considered normal diner fare.
6. Jell-O Salads
For anyone outside the U.S., the idea of putting vegetables or even shredded cheese into a wobbly Jell-O mold seems downright bizarre. Tourists often expect Jell-O to be a dessert, so spotting carrots or cabbage suspended inside is a shock. These colorful, quivering “salads” were once a popular potluck staple, though they’ve become rarer today.
When offered a slice, most visitors hesitate, unsure if it’s supposed to be sweet, savory, or both. The flavors can be confusing, and the texture doesn’t help. Some politely take a bite, while others can’t bring themselves to try. It’s one of those dishes that makes foreigners wonder how it ever caught on in the first place.
7. Meatloaf
For tourists, meatloaf can be confusing because it doesn’t look like a loaf of bread, and it doesn’t look much like a steak either. It’s a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, baked into a rectangular shape. Often topped with ketchup or gravy, it sits firmly in the American comfort food category.
But the concept of meat shaped into a loaf is strange to many outsiders. They often find themselves asking why it isn’t just formed into burgers instead. Once they taste it, though, they usually appreciate the hearty, homestyle feel. It’s a dish that makes a lot more sense when eaten than when described.
8. Root Beer
When a tourist takes their first sip of root beer, their reaction is usually a grimace. The flavor is herbal, almost medicinal, and often compared to cough syrup in countries where it’s not common. To Americans, though, it’s a nostalgic drink that pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The confusion deepens when they’re introduced to root beer floats, which combine the soda with ice cream in a foamy, fizzy treat. For someone unfamiliar with it, that mix of bitter-sweet and creamy is downright puzzling. Many never warm up to it, while a few become unexpected fans. It’s one of those polarizing foods that can’t be explained, only experienced.
9. Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes look like hamburgers that fell apart, which makes them confusing right from the start. The sandwich is made of ground beef in a tangy tomato-based sauce, piled onto a bun so it inevitably drips everywhere. Tourists often wonder if it’s supposed to be eaten with your hands or a fork.
The messy nature of the dish adds to its puzzling charm. Once they taste the sweet and tangy meat, most visitors get why it’s a nostalgic school lunch favorite. But it still feels odd to serve something so intentionally sloppy. It’s one of those foods that makes people laugh even as they wipe their hands.
10. Deep-Fried Everything
From Oreos to pickles, state fairs in the U.S. will deep-fry just about anything. Tourists are stunned to see whole candy bars dipped in batter and fried until golden. It seems more like a dare than a snack, and many visitors assume it must be a joke.
But curiosity often wins out, and they take a bite. To their surprise, the hot, melty insides combined with crispy batter are actually tasty. Still, most can’t get over the sheer excess of it all. It’s a food trend that leaves them both amused and bewildered.
11. Casseroles
Casseroles are another dish that baffles many tourists because they can include just about anything. A casserole might be pasta, vegetables, meat, cheese, and soup all baked together in one dish. The end result doesn’t look particularly elegant, and the ingredients are often unexpected.
Foreign visitors often see it as a mix of leftovers thrown together. But Americans view it as comforting, especially at family gatherings and holidays. Once they taste a cheesy, hearty casserole, most tourists admit it’s filling and flavorful. Still, it’s not something they’re quick to imagine on their own dinner tables.
12. S’mores
The idea of roasting marshmallows over a fire makes sense, but stacking them with chocolate between graham crackers feels like an unusual ritual to tourists. They watch Americans enthusiastically melt marshmallows until gooey and then squish them into a sticky sandwich. The whole process can seem a little over-the-top.
But the first bite usually wins them over. The contrast of crunchy, soft, and melty flavors is undeniably good. For many tourists, it’s less about the food itself and more about the experience of making it around a campfire. Even if it’s messy, it’s one American tradition that often ends with a smile.