MUST try (or avoid) American foods!

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  • RiverMelSong
    RiverMelSong Posts: 456 Member
    Great stuff!

    I'll be sure to avoid the chains (apart from In-N-Out burger :wink: ) as much as possible!
    Also, you should definitely have some New York-style pizza. Our favorite place was Lombardi's at 32 Spring St.
    I'll add it to the list! :)
    In New York city try Westville they have 4 different locations in lower Manhattan and it is fantastic, the market sides they are to die for! Also Shake Shake but they have insane lines but if you are going to have a junk food treat they are super good there is one in Madison Square Park and one in Tribeca. Also I would say going to Chinatown is really fun even if you don't eat there. I would say stay away from eating in Times Square it is overpriced and low quality although worth walking through they are going to try and lure you into a T.G.I Fridays it is not worth it! The Lower East Side and West Village are full of cute restaurants if you are exploring.
    Great advice (also on what to avoid)! Thank you!
    The portion sizes are insane....

    In my case, coming from France, we don't need huge fridges because we prefer take multiple trip to the shops to buy the food. As there are much less conservation agents used in food, you can't keep it as long
    Yeah I was afraid of that, we're the same over here with the multiple trips to the supermarket :) I found Australian portions to be insane also so I'm expecting something similar to that :p
    Have fun! My daughter is currently in Paris and we toured the Greek islands last summer. It is always a treat to discover culinary worlds different from our own :)
    It's amazing isn't it! My favourite part of traveling :)
    I don't think anyone who GOES to Las Vegas really EATS in Las Vegas....it's all about the booze and the shows! So while you're in Vegas, drink up & go see some shows, and drink some more! :wink:
    This sounds great if I was going with friends, but I won't be drinking as much with my dad there I'm afraid xD We'll definitely try to do a show though! We're in Vegas for 3 days :)
    If you are road tripping between any of those destinations, stop at any, all, and every restaurant or diner that has a large fiberglass animal.
    That sounds hilarious! Unfortunately we're flying everywhere because we've only got 2 weeks, but I'll definitely put it on the list for next time!
    :drinker: :drinker: hoooooray, what a fun trip that will be! I live in Vegas and love it, it's got some GREAT food, both cheap and expensive, and many places are open 24/7, which makes for a great foodie town!

    Beyond food, I'd also recommend to hit up Fremont Street and old town las Vegas, it's got great people watching, fun bars and restaurants and just super fun, if you want a more casual (but still Vegas) experience! Container Park just opened up out there, and Gold Spike is a fun new bar with life size jenga, corn hole, and "ice skating" on plastic in the back haha Fremont is a fun area and where the locals hang out.

    Try Tix4Tonight ticket booth for shows if you aren't too sure of what you want, they have a lot of good offerings for good prices of shows that night. Classic shows like Cirque may have deals online depending on when you visit!

    Hope you enjoy your trip, and that it's not too hot when you do visit! But we love visitors, so please come and spend money, we need it!!! :bigsmile:
    Haha thank you for this! I was afraid the strip might become a bit boring after a couple of days so we'll definitely try this!
    You sound like me, before a trip always trying to decide where to eat ! LOL
    Yup, I love planning ahead! :happy:



    Thank you guys so much! It's going to be the trip of a lifetime! If all Americans are as enthusiastic and helpful as you all I'm sure we'll have an amazing time!! :happy:
  • darkrose20
    darkrose20 Posts: 1,139 Member
    deep fried butter. the hamburger made with a donught as a bun. (run like he...ll foods, btw)
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,769 Member
    You cannot visit NYC without having a bagel (with a "shmear" of cream cheese and nova lox). In midtown, I would go to Ess-a-Bagel, but Absolute Bagels (on the upper west side) and Tal Bagels (a couple of locations in Manhattan) are also excellent.
  • QuiznatoddBidness
    QuiznatoddBidness Posts: 602 Member
    Must avoid: everything I ate today. :sick:
  • shmerek
    shmerek Posts: 963 Member
    You cannot visit NYC without having a bagel (with a "shmear" of cream cheese and nova lox). In midtown, I would go to Ess-a-Bagel, but Absolute Bagels (on the upper west side) and Tal Bagels (a couple of locations in Manhattan) are also excellent.
    Nussbaum & Wu near Columbia Uni has an awesome cream cheese to bagel ratio. I loved the pizza by the slice too.
  • Keepcalmanddontblink
    Keepcalmanddontblink Posts: 718 Member
    Pinks hot dogs in Los Angeles! They have lines out the door and were featured on Food Network TV.
    709 N. La Brea Ave.,
    Los Angeles, CA 90038
    Here is their website: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

    I also second the suggestion to try Mexican food. Any hole in the wall types of places are the best, because they focus on the food, more than the surroundings. Try it when you are in California though (or maybe Vegas), I've never tried it in NY, but Chinese/Japanese food is awesome over there as is the pizza and hot dogs.

    I also agree with using Yelp and reading the reviews before trying any places just to be safe. :)
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
    Yes these are all amazing suggestions!!
    From a foreigner that lived in the States one thing I will warn you though is that your stomach may get upset so, tread carefully, American food quite 'fake' on the whole but it is definitely something you need to experience. I suggest you try Chipotle, the Seafood Chowder at The Fisherman's Wharf, and the crazy diners they have there. Warning Sausage is not sausages lol.
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
    I should clarify my other posts by saying In-N-Out is one of the only chains you shouldn't avoid.

    I have to really disagree with this one, but I have a lot who will disagree with me, just try it for yourself.
  • AnnaVee84
    AnnaVee84 Posts: 345 Member
    here's some info on ordering at In-n-Out and the secret menu:

    http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/03/the-in-n-out-survival-guide-we-ate-every-single-item-on-the-secret-menu.html

    I actually had In-n-Out tonight, was looking forward to it all day!
    Just got a double meat (mustard fried), protein style no sauce added whole grilled onions and animal style fries! the first time getting whole onion (rather than chopped) and mustard fried patties, and they make the burger deeeelish, gonna be my new regular order!!

    Saved my carbs, cheese, and sauce for the fries, haha, oh man, what a treat! Enjoy it!!
  • Slacker16
    Slacker16 Posts: 1,184 Member
    One thing no one has mentioned is to try a steakhouse (warning : pricey). Probably my favourite feature of US food.

    If you're in New Jersey at all, try applejack (if you can find it) and fat sandwiches. Also, get drunk and order a McGangbang.
  • H2Okblight
    H2Okblight Posts: 117
    If you're in NYC, stop by Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo, the place where cronuts originated.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    In-N-Out burger. Both Vegas and SF will have 'em.

    Definitely this.

    Also in Vegas, one of the big buffets (like Bellagio) should be a must try.

    Ironically, I was going to suggest avoiding the big buffets. I have friends who live in Las Vegas. All I've heard about the buffets is that they are horribly overpriced and severely lacking in quality.

    In San Francisco, definitely go around Fisherman's wharf and check out the food shops there. It's been 2 decades since I've been, but there was this great shop on the wharf that sold all sorts of seafood. The clam chowder (in bread bowls) was amazing.

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