[richardt]

Can't be more American than a Reuben Sandwich, although it's disputed whether it originated in Nebraska or New York. I'm sayin' Nebraska just because...

GO BIG RED!

[narvin]

Salisbury steak and freedom fries?

[capozzoli]

What are freedom fries?

We have fries around here, I think they are called dirty fries. French fries with fried onions and gravy.

I am really interested in local American dishes. There are so many that I haven't tried. Some known some I havent even heard of yet.

For example the Calamari Steak of coastal California. Never had one anywhere else. Man they are good too. They must real in those giant squids out in the Pacific.

[dj99]

Ha ha, freedom fries are "rebranded" french fries after the French didn't back us as they should have after 9/11.

The Calamari steak sounds interesting!

[beerocd]

We have fries around here, I think they are called dirty fries. French fries with fried onions and gravy.

Wets - Fresh cut fries (you know kinda soggy limp) in a bowl, covered in brown gravy.

and then there's

The Slinger is a Midwestern diner specialty typically consisting of two eggs, hash browns, and a hamburger patty (or any other meat) all covered in chili (with or without beans) and generously topped with cheese (cheddar or American) and onions. The eggs can be any style. The Slinger is considered to be a St. Louis late-night culinary original. It is described as "a hometown culinary invention that might account for St. Louis' high rate of heart disease: a mishmash of meat, hash-fried potatoes, eggs, and chili, sided with your choice of ham, sausage, bacon, hamburger patties, or an entire flippin' T-bone steak. It's dirt cheap, damn good and a drunk's dream."

I only ate these on Fridays. 

[weithman5]

last night i had a peanut butter and rhubarb/strawberry jelly sandwhich on rye bread.  actually was very good, so i thought (at midnight)  why not brew a beer with this combo. and actually in homebrew garden found a recipe for a rhubarb and rye ale. can't wait.

[euge]

Nachos. Especially the ones you find at the ballpark or movie theater that have that synthetic runny yellow-orange cheese product.

Or Corn-dogs. OMG I love those things.

Onion rings.

Philly Cheese-steak.

So far these examples don't seem to be particularly healthy...

[mikeypedersen]

Or Corn-dogs. OMG I love those things.

It's kinda sad, but one of my favorite things is deep fried Mini-Corndogs.  So freakin' good.

[chumley]

Here in Montana, the only real contribution to American cuisine that we have made is the pork chop sandwich:



The one pictured is "Loaded"....mustard, pickles, onions.

"Loaded delux" is the same, plue lettuce tomato and mayo.

My favorite is loaded with both hot and yellow mustard.

[dbeechum]

I'll proffer the things that have come out of my current home town for American cuisine (my real hometown hasn't contributed much except some football players and indoor foliage)

- The chili size - Take a bowl, add some chili, add a griddle cooked hamburger patty, add more chili and cheese. Serve - an LA classic
- The French Dip - Hotly contested between two locations here in downtown - the French Dip was invented either at Phillipes, which is a funny old fashioned place to go grab a bite, or Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet. For my money, I prefer Phillipes and their devil mustard.
- The "LA" Chili Dog - There's a variant of hot dog chili that seems to be about 1/3 flour, meat, fat and tomatoes. Very smooth stuff, unlike any other chili I've seen on dogs. Best seen at Cupid's, Flooky's or Pink's (if you feel like waiting in line forever) (LA actually had a very interesting hot dog subculture)
- The BBQ Chicken Pizza - Invented by Ed LaDou while he worked at Spago's with Wolfgang Puck. Ed passed away sudddenly a couple years ago, but his little place Caioti Pizza Cafe still makes rocking pizzas and they have a salad called "The Salad" that some folks swear by to induce labor.

There are a few others, but how about the big mammer jammer that has unfortunately seated itself deep into the roots of the world.

- The Drive Through and the Fast Food Restaurant - McDonald's was born out in San Berdoo as was the drive through window at In n Out Burger (seriously fantastic fast food burger) Carl's Jr (owner of Hardee's as well), El Pollo Loco, Fatburger, Foster's Freeze, Green Burrito, Hot Dog on a Stick, H. Salt Fish & Chips, Jack in the Box, Johnny Rockets, Weinerschinitizel, Original Tommy's (oh god, the chili and grease), Panda Express, Taco Bell, Tastee Freez, Wetzel's Pretzels, wInchell's Donuts (and its owner Yum-Yum Donuts). - all LA region started fast fooderies that have been clogging everyone's arteries for a while now. Go LA!

[bluesman]

Imagine this...

[hamiltont]

How about all that food they serve at the State Fair.  "Anything imaginable" on a stick.

[blatz]

SPAM.

I'd say pot roast, but then isn't it derived from sauer braten.

[nicneufeld]

How about all that food they serve at the State Fair.  "Anything imaginable" on a stick.

I gather there are places in China that seriously one-up us on the "anything imaginable on a stick" front!

EDIT: One example:
http://www.foodnut.com/408/beijing-dong-hua-men-night-market-wangfujing-food-market-review-beijing-china/

[beerocd]

How about all that food they serve at the State Fair.  "Anything imaginable" on a stick.

I gather there are places in China that seriously one-up us on the "anything imaginable on a stick" front!

Andrew Zimmern did a show where he walked into one of those places. Skewer full of rooster comb anyone? Or the breast bone which is cartilage, is also skewerable.

But anyway - back to America. With all the stuff listed is it any wonder we have an obesity epidemic?

SMORES !
Orange Cheese, Chocolate Cheese, Velveeta
Anything in the chip/snack isle. No country can touch our Doritos, Potato Chips, or Cheese curls.