20 American Foods That Non-Americans Love & 20 That They Find Disgusting

Candy corn is one of those things that you really only see around Halloween. You probably aren’t going to grab it for the 4th of July.

AMERICAN OPINION: The general consensus on candy corn by Americans is pretty clear. For the most part, they’re going to agree with this sentiment. Sure — some people like candy corn but for the most part, it’s not flying off of shelves because it’s everyone’s favorite snack on a night full of tastier candy.

This person was specifically talking about the hashbrowns that you might find at a diner. The ones where the potatoes are grated and you can choose a variety of toppings or eat them as is.

AMERICAN OPINION: There aren’t too many complaints about great diner hashbrowns. They’re a great go-to when you want something easy, greasy, and tasty — which is pretty par for the course when it comes to breakfast diner food like this as a whole.

Specifically, we’re talking about the slices of yellow “cheese” that you see in plastic wrappings. We say “cheese” because they often use other terms than just saying cheese directly.

AMERICAN OPINION: As far as cheese goes, sliced singles probably aren’t going to win any awards when you measure it up against options like fresh mozzarella, brie, muenster — and the list goes on. However, it’s not a bad choice when you want a quick grilled cheese.

Funnel cakes are a great cure for a sweet tooth. The concept is simple — deep-fried batter topped off with powdered sugar for a sweet treat.

AMERICAN OPINION: Americans probably aren’t going to argue with you that funnel cakes are delicious. In fact, they’re a popular choice at events like state fairs. Plenty of people can relate to the experience of waiting in line for one of these fried treats on a summer day in an amusement park or at the fair.

Applebee’s is a pretty big chain restaurant. They’re also fairly known for their menu made up of a mix of popular American dishes.

AMERICAN OPINION: Well, we have to say that steak can taste really good! Then again, you probably aren’t going to find top-of-the-line steak at an Applebee’s. In all fairness, this person makes a fair point that it seems like you should find good food at any restaurant you go to.

When it comes to American foods, Hershey’s is usually fairly controversial. Apparently, there are some fans out there, though.

AMERICAN OPINION: For the most part, Americans love Hershey’s chocolate. Of course, everyone has their own opinions but it’s a pretty popular choice. We imagine that there are plenty of people on this person’s side who love the Hershey’s Cookies n’ Creme bars. If you like them, they even come as chocolate “Drops” too!

Here’s some quick background information on this one. In the U.S., biscuits are like dinner rolls while in the U.K., biscuits mean cookies.

AMERICAN OPINION: Honest, with this context, we can see why the thought might turn your stomach. However, if you’re willing to give American biscuits a try, they’re delicious — especially with gravy! All in all, this sentiment might face some backlash, especially in the southern part of the United States!

Speaking of food that’s popular in the South in the United States, pulled pork is a popular and classic choice. You have a lot of options for it, too!

AMERICAN OPINION: In all likelihood, you aren’t going to find many people who argue with you on this point. They’re right about regional variety too — there are more options when it comes to pulled pork than you might immediately think of. Plus, it makes for a filling sandwich!

There are some candies that are more controversial than others. As for this person, they were willing to stake their claim against Twizzlers.

AMERICAN OPINION: Strangely enough, Twizzlers are probably a bit more controversial. While many people hate them, there are some real fans of Twizzlers out there. At the end of the day, licorice-style candies usually garner varying opinions. Still, they’re a classic choice when it comes time to choose a movie snack.

Sonic is one of those places that seems like a classic. All you have to do is drive up and you can have a drive-in lunch experience.

AMERICAN OPINION: You probably aren’t going to find too many people who disagree that Sonic is great! They’re available in most states, so plenty of the U.S. enjoys their menu. From hot dogs to burgers to milkshakes, there are a lot of options too.

When you’re thinking about food from a locale, don’t look past drinks! They can have their own unique flavors and traits to explore.

AMERICAN OPINION: Root beer is one of those things that some people love and some hate. Still, we can’t argue with this person too much. If something reminded us of the taste of medicine, it probably wouldn’t stick to the top of our list of favorite foods either.

There are plenty of restaurants that boast American food. One such restaurant is Cracker Barrel, a chain that you can grab a meal from in most states.

AMERICAN OPINION: Cracker Barrel has a menu full of familiar Southern dishes although some are definitely more popular than others. As for how well-liked they are, it’s a bit controversial. Some people love Cracker Barrel while others would rather go anywhere else. It’s not a bad choice if you want some fried chicken but it’s far from your only great choice.

Twinkies are one of those foods that seem quintessentially American. It’s self-described as a snack with a “golden sponge cake with a creamy filling.”

AMERICAN OPINION: This is another controversial opinion. As a concept, many people might tell you that a Twinkie sounds kind of gross. However, there are still plenty of people who still love to grab one of these sugary treats once in a while. Not to mention, they’re easy to carry in a lunchbox or with you as a snack for later.

Plenty of people associate America with popular fast food in America. Can you blame them for having a few favorite places to grab a burger?

AMERICAN OPINION: In-N-Out Burger is actually pretty popular — that is, in areas where it’s actually located. The chain is primarily on the west coast but that works out if you’re visiting somewhere like California or even a few exceptions, like their Texas locations. All in all, it’s not a bad stop for a burger and fries.

Earlier, we mentioned that Hershey’s Cookies n’ Creme is a food that some people missed when they weren’t in America. That love for Hershey’s products is far from universal.

AMERICAN OPINION: Hershey’s is fairly popular here and most people who like chocolate do love it. However, it’s a lot different from options like different European chocolates. So, we can see how it might not measure up against its international competitors.

Sometimes, you just need a bag of chips as a snack. You have plenty of options when it comes to types and flavors as well.

AMERICAN OPINION: This favorite might be a bit more controversial. Funyuns are one of those snacks that you might grab on a road trip, for a movie night, or for a late-night study session. Even then, they’re not most people’s favorite choice. There’s definitely a solid group of fans for this long-running snack, though.

Corn on the cob is a simple dish. All you really need is an ear of corn and a stove or grill.

AMERICAN OPINION: Corn on the cob is all in how you make it, really. In some cases, it’s fairly bland and unenjoyable. Prepared right, though, it’s a great side! Still, a bit of seasoning probably wouldn’t push past the fact that this person had only seen corn on the cob as pig food.

There are some snacks that offer a bit more protein than others. That’s something that beef jerky offers.

AMERICAN OPINION: Beef Jerky is a classic choice and it’s tasty if you want something salty! Even if you don’t eat meat, there are options out there to mimic the “beef” snack. Honestly, it’s not a bad go-to when you need a bit of protein and you can find it almost anywhere.

So far, we’ve looked a lot at certain dishes and snacks. Some people have strong opinions about specific ingredients instead.

AMERICAN OPINION: There are definitely some people who prefer to avoid ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. However, some people probably don’t notice them. If you aren’t used to it, we can see how the flavor might stand out. This is another case where opinions can vary quite a bit.

You can’t really go wrong with a pie. After all, they’re a versatile dessert that can suit almost any occasion.

AMERICAN OPINION: For most Americans, pumpkin pie brings to mind family dinners at Thanksgiving. It’s a classic dessert and plenty of people love it! This is another dish that is a great choice as long as it comes from an excellent recipe. In a pinch, though, the canned filling is fairly popular too.

Spray cheese is exactly what it sounds like: cheese in a can that you can spray like whipped cream.

AMERICAN OPINION: This is more of a novelty item than anything. While a bit of cheese on crackers isn’t uncommon, most people are slightly unnerved by the concept as a whole. There’s something odd about cheese that you spray out of a can before you even consider how neon the cheese itself is.

When you want a snack, you might ask yourself if you want something salty or sweet. Why not have both? Sweet and salty can make for a great mix!

AMERICAN OPINION: Flipz Pretzels do offer the best of both worlds. This person specifically noted the white chocolate ones and we have to agree that they’re pretty tasty! We’re glad they’re starting to become available nearby for this person so they can enjoy them at home too.

American cereal aisles are full of a variety of options. It helps if you like sweet treats if you want to take advantage of most of those options.

AMERICAN OPINION: Cap’n Crunch is a sweet cereal, so we can see how you might not want it first thing in the morning. That being said, it’s a fairly popular choice. Although, we probably could do with fewer sharp corners on our cereal to protect our mouths.

Earlier, we took a look at how much some people love diner hashbrowns. However, that’s far from the only diner food out there.

AMERICAN OPINION: Diner food is definitely popular in America — just take a look at how many diners there are around almost everywhere! Even if you don’t frequent a local diner, you probably like to have a good full spread for breakfast from a diner from time to time.

There are a lot of variations on mac n’ cheese out there. It’s definitely a situation in which some options are better than others.

AMERICAN OPINION: So, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is fine but it isn’t really what you turn to if you’re looking for a homemade mac n’ cheese. On the other hand, it’s an easy meal that doesn’t take a lot of effort. We can see how the powdered cheese would seem concerning, though.

First of all, let’s point out that Chipotle isn’t strictly American. Still, a good portion of their restaurants is located in the United States.

AMERICAN OPINION: Chipotle is one of those restaurants that’s almost universally loved. What’s there to complain about a place that lets you build your own meal? In general, it’s safe to say that this is a popular opinion that most people would be willing to get behind.

Earlier, we took a look at Cap’n Crunch. This Reddit user decided to widen the scope of that concept to all sugary cereals.

AMERICAN OPINION: We can see why you might not want to start your day with sugar and marshmallows. It’s a bit sweet for some people’s tastes — especially first thing in the morning. With that said, there’s a place in a lot of Americans’ hearts for cereals like Froot Loops or Lucky Charms.

We’ve touched on a few barbecue classics. As of yet, we haven’t addressed one of the most popular options for the main dish — baby back ribs.

AMERICAN OPINION: There’s nothing quite as good as well-done barbecue, whether it involves meat or not. As for baby back ribs, well, it seems like they became a classic at barbecues for a reason. They’re a pretty tasty option if they’re made with a reliable recipe!

When it comes to candy, you aren’t limited purely to chocolate. There are plenty of flavors to play around with and try out!

AMERICAN OPINION: York Peppermint Patties are great as long as you like a strong mint flavor. If you don’t, they’re not going to taste very good. Now that it’s been pointed out, we can see where they’re coming from with the toothpaste comparison, though, if that’s what you associate with mint flavoring.

Wisconsin cheese curds aren’t a snack that you can get anywhere. It’s one that this person misses when they’re not in the U.S.

AMERICAN OPINION: If there’s one thing that Wisconsin is known for, it’s their cheese. Cheese curds are a pretty great choice if you want something a little more savory to snack on. Overall, we’d have to agree — these little cheese bites taste great! We can see why you’d miss them when they aren’t available.

If you have a lot of ingredients and you aren’t sure what to do with them, odds are that there’s a casserole to fit that.

AMERICAN OPINION: It’s hard to lay out an all-encompassing opinion on casseroles because there are so many options. When it comes to options like tuna casserole and green bean casserole, though, most people would agree. There are definitely plenty of people who would love a casserole like this, on the other hand.

When it comes to Southern cooking in the United States, there are a few staple sides. That includes a delicious slice of cornbread.

AMERICAN OPINION: It’s hard to go wrong with cornbread. While it is a little sweeter than the average biscuit to go with your dinner, it’s impossible to pass up. Even if something sweet might sound a little odd, it’s not cloyingly sweet and it goes with a lot of different dishes.

American sliced bread is a bit different than if you ran to the store for bread you’d buy if you went to a European grocery store, for example.

AMERICAN OPINION: We can see where you’re coming from here if you’re more used to fresher loaves of bread. When it comes to options like Wonder Bread, they’re pretty sweet compared to an option you might pick up in the bakery section of the store. It’s definitely not everyone’s preference.

We should clarify that this person’s answer isn’t strictly limited to the U.S. since Costco does operate in a few different countries.

AMERICAN OPINION: There aren’t many people who will argue against how great Costco is. Even aside from the ability to buy in bulk, everyone wants to grab a snack while they’re there. We can’t blame this person for stopping for some pizza while they were shopping through the store.

We’ve already seen how important it is to clarify what a dish is when it shares a name with another dish. Otherwise, it could set the situation up for disappointment.

AMERICAN OPINION: If we were expecting the kind of dumplings that you often enjoy in Chinese food, we’d be disappointed too when we received the Cracker Barrel Dumplins. While they’re tasty, we can see why this person was so disappointed when they tried them.

Bagels are a versatile choice when you want something to eat. They come in a variety of flavors and you can use them in a few different ways.

AMERICAN OPINION: We can’t really argue with how great everything bagels are. Whether you just toast them with some cream cheese or use them as the breading for a sandwich, you can’t really go wrong with them. It makes for a great savory option that you can dress up in a variety of ways.

If you aren’t sure what Scrapple is, it’s a loaf made up of pork trimmings that weren’t used for other foods like sausage.

AMERICAN OPINION: Scrapple is one of those things that not everyone has tried, even within the U.S. The original concept was to avoid waste by just throwing away leftover meat after butchering. It’s not widely popular but some people know how to dress it up in a way they like.

Dippin’ Dots are unique among ice cream. After all, you don’t often see ice cream in little tiny spheres.

AMERICAN OPINION: Dippin’ Dots are incredibly delicious! These little flash-frozen ice cream bites are great and you can try them in a few different flavors. However, you’re more likely to have them on a day out at a sporting event, aquarium, or other venues — rather than grabbing some for your own freezer.

There are a lot of options out there when you want lunch meat. An olive loaf is one of those available choices.

AMERICAN OPINION: We don’t think many people are going to argue with you there. An olive loaf is one of those food items that are often shrugged off or even shuddered at more than it’s enjoyed. While olives aren’t bad, this might be one of the worst possible uses for them.

You can’t really go wrong with food when you head down to Louisiana. There are plenty of tasty dishes available in cities like New Orleans.

AMERICAN OPINION: It’s hard to find any fault in good gumbo. This filling dish is flavorful and gives you a little bit of everything. Not to mention, who can say no to a hearty stew? Filled with shellfish, meat, celery, bell peppers, onions, and more — it’s a dish that’s hard to turn down.