Who does not want to travel to the United States of America? There are so many cities to explore and so many attractions to visit. New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Las Vegas are among the popular destinations, to name a few. While it may not be possible to explore all of them because of limited time, it would be highly possible to try tons of street food. The country is heaven when it comes to delectable culinary offerings, and you may get lost in trying to figure out which ones to try. Keep reading, and you will learn more about the best street food you must try in United States.
1. Hamburger
Many of us would already know what a hamburger is. This street food is so delicious that its popularity has spread across the globe. Basically, a hamburger is a kind of sandwich that consists of two buns, one on top and another one at the bottom. In the middle, there will be ground meat (usually beef, chicken, or fish), vegetables, and sauce—like barbecue sauce, chili sauce, and more. There are too many varieties of hamburgers, and you can easily find them at fast-food restaurants.
2. Cheesesteak
While you may be familiar with the hamburger, you may not be aware of the existence of cheesesteak. A cheesesteak is another kind of sandwich whose deliciousness is something that you cannot resist. Many Americans will sometimes call it Philly cheesesteak because of its origin—that is, Philadelphia. Basically, cheesesteak uses a long hoagie roll that has melted cheese and thin slices of beefsteak inside. Sounds yummy?
3. Crepes
When you see crepes, you will think of pancakes right away. This is because crepes are actually a type of pancake, but a very thin one. If you are fond of sweet things, then you should try one that has a variety of fillings—from sugar and chocolate syrup to ice cream and fresh fruits. But if you are more into savory things, you can try the option with fillings such as cheese and meat. Both types are equally delicious.
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4. Pretzels
Pretzels, from the looks of it, are intertwined and seem tasty. Yes, pretzels are another must-try street food in the United States. Pretzels are made from dough that is formed into a unique shape—a distinctive knot—and then baked until ready for serving. You will not feel too full from eating pretzels, so they make the perfect snack on a long trip. You can indulge in either sweet or salty pretzels, or both—much like with crepes.
5. Hot dog
The hot dog is just as popular as the hamburger, and we bet you have heard about this street food before. You would not want to say no to this sandwich that has a delicious sausage inside a partially sliced bun, would you? Even though you may already know how it tastes, you are in the United States, so of course, you need to order the local version. You can choose from a range of styles. The most popular ones include Chicago-style hot dog, Newark-style Italian dog, and Seattle-style dog.
6. Burrito
Burrito—this dish sounds Spanish because its origin is Mexico. You will have a tortilla wrap that is either grilled (for a harder texture) or steamed (for a softer texture) along with different fillings inside. Put ingredients such as meat and vegetables with the tortilla wrap in a flat position before you roll the whole thing into a cylindrical shape.
7. Gyros
When you see gyros, you may see a resemblance to burritos. This is because both dishes are wrapped. What make the two slightly different are the wrap and the meat. A burrito uses tortilla wrap, while a gyros is wrapped with flatbread. About the meat, in the United States, the most common gyros you can enjoy is a combination of lamb and beef. If you like it spicy, you can add chili sauce on top.
8. Pizza
Pizza is meant to be shared with the people you love, which is why pizza comes in different sizes, including big ones that can be cut into many slices enough for the whole gang. Originating in Italy, pizza generally has a round shape, and the dough is baked at a high temperature in a wood-fired oven. You can choose from a lot of pizza flavors in the United States, and among the most popular are Detroit-style pizza, St. Louis-style pizza, and Chicago deep-dish pizza.
9. French fries
When traveling in the United States, you can forget about the healthy lifestyle for a little while because how can you say no to French fries? These deep-fried potatoes will be your loyal friend during your trip. Make a stop at any fast-food restaurant, and your French fries are ready to go. Order a soft drink too to make it even yummier.
10. Churros
Do not resist the temptation because once you eat your churros, you are going to want for more. Do not blame yourself because churros are one of the most delicious desserts in the world. The dough is made from water, flour, and salt. But some people are more creative and use potato as the dough instead. Churros may taste crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Let the sweet taste of cinnamon, caramel, or dark chocolate sauce—depending on your favorite flavor—linger in your mouth for a long time.
11. Falafel
Falafel will remind you of meatball. Yes, falafel is like a meatball because the shape is round like a ball and it is deep-fried. Sometimes you can also see falafel that is made like a donut or even flat. In general, falafel balls consist of chickpeas that are made more flavorful with a mix of scallions, onions, and spices. However, you can also see other variations across the United States. For your information, falafel is a highly popular dish in the Middle East.
12. Fried plantains
Fried plantains—some of you may not be familiar with this street food. If you are curious about how fried plantains taste like, you should buy a bag or two. Basically, fried plantains are like fried bananas, although plantain is not actually a common banana. If you can eat a banana raw just like the way it is, you rarely eat a plantain raw. It has to be fried or grilled first for the most tantalizing taste. Beware of being hooked by fried plantains. You cannot stop at just one or two slices.
13. Empanada
Empanada may not look that big, but it is actually one of the most filling street food. Basically, an empanada is a baked pastry with a wide variety of fillings. You are going to love the braided seal of the wrap before you fall in love further with what is inside. Particularly famous in Latin American countries and the Philippines, empanada may consist of beef, ground pork, peppers, tomatoes, and chili powder.
14. Pulled pork
Many will agree that pork, regardless of the way it is cooked, is delicious. You can grill it, braise it, or fry it—pork will always find its way to tempt you. Now, since you are in the United States, you have to try the street food that is called pulled pork. This American dish is highly popular in the Southern part of the country. The barbecue dish’s main ingredient is shredded pork shoulder. Actually, any cut of the pork, as long as it contains enough fat, would be great for making pulled pork. But the best part is always the shoulder. The pork shoulder is slow-cooked either traditionally over wood or in a more modern way with a slow cooker. Once ready, you can enjoy it plain, with your favorite sauce, or with bread.
15. Kimchi quesadillas
If you are into Korean culture, you already know what kimchi is. Kimchi quesadillas are basically quesadillas with the delicious kimchi as one of the ingredients. Quesadilla is another Mexican specialty. Unlike taco that is considered as a snack, quesadilla is considered as a dish. Cheese is the main ingredient of quesadilla. So for kimchi quesadillas, you can replace the meat with kimchi, which is salted and fermented vegetables that include cabbage and radish.
16. Short-rib tacos
Last but not least, short-rib tacos are fittingly on the list of the best street food to try in the United States. Tacos are much similar to burritos, but they make a lighter snack. You can notice the size difference. The wrap is bigger and full in burritos, while the tortilla wrap of tacos is half-open. Take the pleasure of indulging in the sweet and spicy taste of short-rib tacos, slowly chewing the tender braised beef that has been cooked slowly with dried Mexican chilies.
Try all the popular street food to enjoy your vacation more
It goes without saying that a happy stomach will keep you happy at all times. When traveling across the United States, you will need a lot of energy for your exciting adventures. That is why you need all the delicious street food you can get. Make sure to try them all, and you will enjoy your beautiful vacation even more.
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