Types of American Cuisine

While there has been much discussion over the types of American cuisine, it is safe to say that none of them have yet reached the level of stardom that Chinese food has achieved. Americans love their barbecue, and their southern comfort food is second to none; however, even in its home state of Texas, most Americans eat no rice, no corn, and very few other staple foods of the South. What has brought this diverse cuisine to the attention of the American public?

Much of the credit for American cuisine belongs to the food truck entrepreneur. These businessmen began to popularize regional foods that had previously only been available to people who lived within the borders of America. European immigrants in the mid-1800s assembled the first known "gourmet" foods. As more new recipes hit the markets, Americans began to open their eyes to southern cooking and the types of food that could be prepared on a truck.

Historically, the best southern meals had to be prepared at home. However, as more southern food made its way into the world, more restaurants started to offer an assortment of menus. The New Orleans restaurant chain Bonjour Food Truck introduced a tasting menu in 2021. The 100 best tasting menu items included sweet potato pie, collard greens, grits, fried chicken, cornbread, jambalaya, prime rib, corn soup, and the famous baby back Ribs.

The first wave of Southern cuisine was centered on the seafood industry. Catch as catch could be a significant selling point for many restaurants throughout the South. This movement became even more vital as people realized that seafood was widely available and relatively inexpensive. In addition to fresh fish and shellfish from local markets, restaurants offered steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, and even baked desserts.

The second big Southern food trend came about because of the southern United States' relationship with alcohol. Many bars and restaurants throughout the South served alcoholic beverages. This was seen as a healthy alternative to lighter beverages such as wine. Many of these restaurants served exotic cocktails such as peach gin fizzes, peach cobbler, and blue Moon teas. The popularity of these drinks inspired many beverage museums to include these tasty drinks in their menus.

Southern food also included another crucial Southern beverage: tea. While most other civilizations have avoided this popular beverage due to its high sugar content, the people of the United States embraced it. At tea time, people relaxed and enjoyed their meals. Many plantation owners would host afternoon tea parties with their guests, sharing recipes and boasting their favorite southern dishes. Several of America's most well-known tea places were established in the antebellum South, including Eats in the Outback, Bull Run Trading Post, and Wild Oats Coffee House.

The final category is all-time great southern food - shrimp. Shrimp is the most popular food in most of America's southern counties, and for a good reason. Most all of America's southern homes boast a shrimp recipe handed down throughout the years. There are dozens of delicious ways to use shrimp in your day-to-day meals, from savory shrimp casseroles to sweet shrimp gumbo. No concern about what type of seafood you are interested in, from shrimp gumbo to lobster tails, shrimp is sure to be the most traditional southern food in America.