1. Root Beer
For many Americans, root beer is a childhood staple, served cold in frosty mugs or poured over vanilla ice cream for a root beer float. But for tourists, this bubbly drink can be downright baffling. The flavor, which comes from sassafras or artificial flavoring now, is unlike anything most people outside the U.S. have ever tasted. To them, it often smells and tastes like medicine or cough syrup, which makes sense since similar herbs were once used in tonics.
While Americans find it nostalgic and refreshing, visitors are usually caught off guard by its sweet, slightly medicinal kick. Some politely sip and set it aside, while others are surprised that such a quirky drink has an entire aisle dedicated to it in American grocery stores. For many, root beer is less of a treat and more of a cultural curiosity.
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is about as American as you can get, but tourists often find the combination puzzling. Peanut butter itself isn’t universally popular abroad, and pairing it with sugary fruit spread on soft white bread feels unusual. In other countries, sandwiches tend to be savory, so the idea of mixing sweet and salty in this way can be strange.
Still, for Americans, PB&J is comfort food, tied to childhood lunchboxes and quick, no-fuss meals. Visitors who do try it sometimes come away pleasantly surprised by the balance of flavors, while others find it far too sticky and sweet. It’s one of those foods that tourists can’t believe Americans actually eat daily.
3. Biscuits and Gravy
This Southern breakfast classic raises eyebrows among visitors who expect biscuits to be sweet, like cookies. Instead, they’re soft, flaky bread rolls covered in thick white gravy made from sausage drippings and milk. To tourists, the pale sauce looks unappetizing, and the idea of pouring gravy over breakfast bread doesn’t always compute.
Americans, especially Southerners, see it as the ultimate comfort food, hearty and filling. The salty, savory gravy soaks into the biscuits, making a dish that sticks to your ribs. Tourists often don’t know what to make of it, though once they taste it, some quickly become converts.
4. Corn Dogs
A hot dog skewered on a stick and dipped in cornbread batter before being deep fried is both beloved and bewildering. To Americans, corn dogs are a fairground and sporting event classic, quick to eat and perfectly portable. But tourists are often stunned at the concept of combining a sausage with sweet cornbread and frying it whole.
The flavor balance between savory and sweet can be jarring for first-timers. Add in the novelty of eating it on a stick, and it feels more like carnival entertainment than a meal. Still, after the initial shock, many tourists admit it’s fun to eat, even if they don’t quite understand why it exists.
5. Chicken and Waffles
The idea of serving fried chicken on top of a stack of waffles tends to confuse visitors, who see breakfast foods and dinner foods as separate. The dish, however, is deeply rooted in American culinary traditions, particularly in the South and in soul food. The sweet syrup with crispy chicken creates a salty-sweet pairing that Americans adore.
Tourists often look at it with raised eyebrows, questioning whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But once they try the crunch of fried chicken with syrup-soaked waffles, many realize why it has such a devoted following. It’s an example of American comfort food that breaks rules in the most delicious way.
6. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin isn’t usually thought of as dessert abroad, so pumpkin pie can throw visitors off. The orange filling flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves is a holiday staple in the U.S., but to many outsiders, it seems odd to sweeten a vegetable. Tourists often expect it to taste like savory squash rather than spiced custard.
For Americans, though, it signals autumn and Thanksgiving traditions. The creamy, sweet, and lightly spiced flavor feels like nostalgia on a plate. Once tourists adjust their expectations, some come to enjoy it, while others can’t get past the idea of eating sweet pumpkin.
7. S’mores
A campfire tradition in America, s’mores combine graham crackers, roasted marshmallows, and chocolate into a gooey treat. Tourists who aren’t used to graham crackers or super-sweet marshmallows often find the combination overwhelming. To them, it can feel less like dessert and more like a sugar overload.
Americans, however, love the ritual as much as the taste. Roasting marshmallows over an open flame and squishing everything together is as much about the experience as the food itself. Tourists may be baffled at first, but sharing s’mores around a fire is often an unforgettable cultural experience.
8. Frito Pie
This Tex-Mex snack involves dumping chili, cheese, and onions directly into a bag of Fritos corn chips. For tourists, it looks messy and almost like a joke, as if someone accidentally created it. Eating straight out of a chip bag seems strange compared to plated meals in other countries.
Yet for many Americans, especially in Texas, it’s comfort food with a cult following. The salty chips soak up the chili, and the melted cheese ties it all together. Visitors often find themselves surprised at how tasty such a chaotic-looking dish can be.
9. Grits
Grits, made from ground corn, are a staple in the American South but confuse many tourists. The texture is similar to porridge, yet it’s usually eaten with butter, cheese, or shrimp rather than sugar. Visitors often don’t know whether to treat it as breakfast or dinner food.
To Southerners, though, grits are versatile and deeply tied to cultural identity. Creamy, savory, and filling, they’re comfort food at its best. Tourists may struggle with the blandness if eaten plain, but once seasoned, grits often win over even the most skeptical palates.
10. Meatloaf
The name alone can sound unappealing to tourists—meat and loaf don’t exactly scream appetizing. This dish, made from ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, and ketchup, is an American classic. To outsiders, it may look like a brick of meat with a shiny red topping that doesn’t quite fit with their idea of dinner.
For Americans, though, it’s pure nostalgia. Families pass down recipes, and the sweet tang of ketchup glaze is part of its charm. Visitors may not understand its appeal, but meatloaf remains a beloved staple of home cooking in the U.S.
11. Twinkies
Few foods baffle tourists quite like Twinkies. The spongy golden cakes filled with cream are iconic in the U.S., but many visitors are put off by their artificial taste and long shelf life. To them, it seems less like food and more like a science experiment.
Despite that, Twinkies hold a special place in American snack history. They’ve been referenced in movies, cartoons, and even urban legends. Tourists may find them strange, but they’re an essential part of experiencing American junk food culture.
12. Jell-O Salad
Perhaps one of the most confusing American foods for tourists is Jell-O salad. Brightly colored gelatin mixed with fruit, marshmallows, or even vegetables leaves many visitors scratching their heads. It’s often served at potlucks or holidays, where the wobbly dish stands out on the table.
For Americans, it’s a quirky tradition, a retro holdover from mid-century kitchens. While tourists may find it bizarre, it represents a playful side of American cooking. Love it or hate it, Jell-O salad is something most visitors will never forget seeing.