American must-try foods?
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In LA, another vote for fish tacos and also add the Mexican dish pozole to the list (hominy stew with a whole bunch of add-ons you can put in to your taste - typically available in white and red versions). Cobb Salad is a southern CA invention, and one of my favorite salads (not low calorie, though - bacon, avocado, eggs, blue cheese and other things).3
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I am a Hoosier so I offer the requisite tenderloin and sugar cream pie suggestions.2
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Although there are wonderful regional dishes throughout the country, one truly nation-wide favorite is peanut butter and grape jelly on white bread. You can gild the lily by using freshly ground peanut butter, a different jelly, and artisan or whole grain bread but even the original is a wonder to behold.3
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I second peanut butter and grape jelly. On white wonder bread- that is a commonly known childhood food for a lot of us. So was Kraft macaroni and cheese- boxed meal, with an added cheese powder.
These aren’t ‘good’ really, but they are so common for kids here that it is a kind of cultural bonding experience. :-)
I would try rootbeer- A&W brand. And a rootbeer float, Just for kicks- most folks from the UK I know do not like it. It tastes like a specific medicine over there, I understand, but it is well liked here, especially the floats!
I would try some chinese food and Indian food, too- different flavor focus than in the UK so it is an interesting contrast.
If you can find some authentic creole or cajun place I would try gumbo or red beans and rice.
Southern fried chicken and cornbread would be a fun one too.
American pizza that has canadian bacon/ham and pineapple, or hershey’s chocolate, or malted milk shakes are also common here and a little different.
Some good authentic mexican food is great. If you can find traditional california style mexican food and then new mexico Mexican food, that will double the yum- they developed differently, with some different ingredients, due to different colonization patterns way back when. Hatch brand green chile is a good one to try and cook with- it is chile grown in hatch, new mexico and rather classic.
Oh- nachos. Definitely check out some good nachos.
Turkey with stuffing, which you may be able to get this time of year. It is a staple of the thanksgiving holiday in November.
Hamburgers- the toppings are a bit different as I recall
Baked or fried sweet potato dishes- also common thanskgiving fair.
Blackened catfish is a cajun dish, I believe, that could be fun.
Oh, new england clam chowder might be fun too.
And, hmmm, oyster stew- this is a common new year celebration food for a lot of folks here- it developed originally from an Irish celebratory dish, altered to fit US ingredients when immigrants moved here.
For ideas, if you look up regional american cuisine you will likely find some awesome ideas- california is kind of thbmelting pot of the US in a lot of ways, so you can almsot always find a restaurant from any region in the US if you look hard enough. :-) so good for foodies!
I am not from the UK but my mother is so I’ve heard a lot of her opinions about food her. :-)
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Oh, also for any desserts that are common here- red velvet cake, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip cookies, baskin robbins ice cream or any kind of ice cream, really, on a cone. Angel food cake with sweetened whip cream and chopped strawberries. Those are some that come to mind anyway. :-)2
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Omg, do NOT get halo top on your vacation! Halo top is "OK" at best. Treat yourself to real food.5
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Hit up a Waffle House, especially if it's 2 in the morning and you need some time and place to sober up.1
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Omg, do NOT get halo top on your vacation! Halo top is "OK" at best. Treat yourself to real food.
Yeah, I'd skip the Halo Top...it's coming to the UK anyway. I guess it's ok if you really have a thing for "ice cream" and need a diet version...personally, I'll take the real deal on occasion. I don't eat enough ice cream to need some diet version.
I've tried it, and I don't really get the hoopla... Give me some Ben and Jerry's.1 -
It appears the topic's opening up to food all over the country, not just in southern California. OK, then, the best thing I've ever eaten is the low-country South Carolina dish, Shrimp and Grits. Here in Chicago, we have Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Chicken Vesuvio, deep dish pizza, and pepper and egg sandwiches. In Iowa, there's pork tenderloin sandwiches and loose-meat sandwiches. In Maine you have lobster rolls. To the OP: many many regional delights in the U.S. besides those you'll find in California.2
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I’m from the UK and over the past 15 years have been visiting the US a couple of times a year with the idea of work my way round all 50 states. In November it’s Texas. In May it was north and South Dakota.
From what I remember of California - try the Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread and Cinnabon’s. I also go crazy for Orange Chicken or General Tsaos from food mall Chinese. Oooo and an Orange Julius or Blizzard from Dairy Queen.
Avoid US chocolates except for really high end luxury stuff. Nothing like Cadbury’s. Uck.
PM me if you have any questions4 -
I don't get out enough! I grew up in LA area and have lived here again for the past 10 years and must admit I've never tried any of the places listed (other than In-n-Out....I still remember the first store in Baldwin Park) in the above posts. I do recommend Olvera Street which someone mentioned, and China Town right down the street from each other downtown LA. Haven't tried Little Korea but sounds fun. Hope you enjoy the area.1
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Again, thanks for all the great suggestions everyone - I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! Really looking forward to trying all kinds of different food - and now it looks like I'll have to plan trips all round the rest of the US to try regional specialties everywhere else! So I guess that's my vacations sorted for the next...ever
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Hit up a Waffle House, especially if it's 2 in the morning and you need some time and place to sober up.
There are no Waffle Houses in California. I know...it sucks. I am a native southerner now on the west coast and I miss me some Waffle House breakfast.
Get See's chocolate. It's based in LA and is excellent.
Also, if you are looking for things to do, be sure to go to the Getty Center. I don't even like art museums very much, and I love the Getty.1 -
In & Out burger, for sure, and a taco truck.
Also check out this list of best LA cheap eats!2 -
authentic mexican!2
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If you are an active member of these forums....be wary especially if coming to california. Take a look at the largest population of californians and notice their physicalities.
But to vote....I would vote for mexican and In n out! But you've been warned!
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Have a great trip! LA is a large spread out area. Lots of varied things to try. Tacos, guacamole, In N Out, sushi (Califonia Rolls do not have raw fish if that’s a plus), food trucks, try a good seafood restaurant near the beach. Dim sum in Chinatown can be fun. Hollywood is kind of touristy, so I would focus on other areas for restaurants. Might be good to check Trip Advisor or Yelp for recommendations. Downtown LA has some good places like Bottega Louie, and The Grand Central Market has a bunch of places you can walk around and try.1
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fitoverfortymom wrote: »Definitely get some Mexican food. So Cal will have excellent options. Also, swing through an In N Out burger and get a Double Double with fries and a chocolate shake. You can ask for it animal style and they will skip the bun if you care about such things.
Actually no bun is called protein style. Animal style is extra lettuce and tomato. But I agree, do try In-N-Out. It's good and everyone who vacations here always wants to go.1 -
fitoverfortymom wrote: »Definitely get some Mexican food. So Cal will have excellent options. Also, swing through an In N Out burger and get a Double Double with fries and a chocolate shake. You can ask for it animal style and they will skip the bun if you care about such things.
Actually no bun is called protein style. Animal style is extra lettuce and tomato. But I agree, do try In-N-Out. It's good and everyone who vacations here always wants to go.
I always ask for "animal style" and it means they put grilled onions on it0 -
I don't live anywhere near LA - I am near Chicago. Anytime I go on vacation to other states I get excited to try local foods. If I was headed to LA I would want to go to a sushi restaurant, have some fish tacos and of course go to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. I may or may not have some California style pizza.2
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Lots of Asian food in Southern Ca that would be different variation from the Asian you have at home: Thai, Vietnamese, Korean,
In addition to the tacos, consider burritos. You can get them for breakfast.
https://la.eater.com/maps/36-breakfast-burritos-los-angeles-map-guide-20152 -
I love Aloha Poke and that is in Chino, CA. Mexican is fantastic in San Diego!!!1
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Second the recommendation for Grand Central Market, worth a few trips if you are anywhere near it:
https://g.co/kgs/xFVJ61
Pretty much food stall heaven. Like food trucks, but more sanitary
Some great tacos, Thai, coconut milk soft serve- all under one chaotic roof.
As a CA native, what we do well:
-Street-style tacos (carnitas and carne Assad are no-fail, seafood can be hit or miss)
-Poki Bowls (the craze has completely taken over, cheaper than sushi - look for a place with kale salad and cauliflower rice as bases if you want the really yuppified CA version, or fluffy white rice for traditional style)
-K-town has BBQ place after BBQ place. Korean BBQ is a paleo-ish dream. All of the Meats, often AYCE (all you can eat) so you can try everything
-Asian soft serve: a newer trend in the LA area, green tea and taro flavored with charcoal waffle cones or in koi-shaped waffle cones -these have yet to hit NoCal but I'm certain they are coming... use Yelp 3 -
VintageFeline wrote: »Before you all say it. I know. I know I know I know BUT. IHOP. Kind of a US holiday tradition for me. We don't really have great pancake places here for some reason (though I have fond memories of on from my childhood in the West End of Edinburgh. I'm also from Scotland but live in London now) so a giant stack of IHOP pancakes is always on my list.
Are you doing Disney while you're there? There's loads of must try things there too if you're going.
IHOP has pretty good pumpkin pancakes-- they don't need syrup.1 -
I'm from the east coast, NYC, and some of this stuff would be new to me! I have had real Mexican food and Tex Mex (not in NY). Midwest and CA pizza is completely different from NY (and surrounding states') pizza. On your next trip if you come east, you must get bagels from NYC, Philly cheesesteak and pretzels from Philadelphia. Pizza from NY, NJ or Philly.
Definitely try any of the "Thanksgiving" type foods. Some restaurants and fast food places will have specials with turkey, stuffing, cranberries.1 -
You could also try FatBurger, there are a few in Hollywood.1
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GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »I’m from the UK and over the past 15 years have been visiting the US a couple of times a year with the idea of work my way round all 50 states. In November it’s Texas. In May it was north and South Dakota.
From what I remember of California - try the Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread and Cinnabon’s. I also go crazy for Orange Chicken or General Tsaos from food mall Chinese. Oooo and an Orange Julius or Blizzard from Dairy Queen.
Avoid US chocolates except for really high end luxury stuff. Nothing like Cadbury’s. Uck.
PM me if you have any questions
Those are all chains, and you'll probably find better cinnamon rolls in bakeries.
Check Yelp for good options too!2 -
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