# 15 things Americans eat that Foreigners hate **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307 "2014-12-04T12:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/281 "2014-12-08T17:18:54Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Midwesterners have 108 different terms . . . And snow. Which term is used depends on how far into winter it is. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/282 "2014-12-08T18:04:07Z")
Cheeze Whiz is sold in a can, too, if you buy it in larger quantities than a 12-oz jar. But itā€™s the use-a-can-opener sort of can, not the spray-can sort like eazy cheez. And Iā€™ll confess that, although I like both root beer and ice cream, Iā€™ve never actually thought that a root beer float added much beyond either ingredient. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/283 "2014-12-08T18:14:41Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > The idea that grits and polenta are virtually the same product is common enough that Alton Brown dedicated an entire episode of Good Eats to it. I never saw the whole thing, so maybe he offers a better explanation. I vaguely remember that episode, but I disagree with him there (and this would not be the first time Iā€™ve disagreed with Alton.) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/284 "2014-12-08T18:21:38Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Yes; from my limited knowledge of Polish, I believe the singular is pierog. Who knows what the singular is? Nobody ever makes or eats just one. You might as well talk about a Pant. Or one of a Scissor. Or the mythical Potato Chip. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/285 "2014-12-08T20:03:11Z")
I know thereā€™s dispute about whether grits are the same thing as polenta; itā€™s helpful to remember that these are not terms in a scientific taxonomy, and that thereā€™s no clear correct answer. For example, one of the major makers of gourmet grits, [Bobā€™s Red Mill](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9371166105881415269?q=grits&es_sm=122&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.80642063,d.eXY&biw=1600&bih=813&tch=1&ech=1&psi=fQKGVPjJE8qpNv-ShAg.1418068606056.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX1FFiL7EE-a9LAgnSwCT3wpgUcQk5NluvW2Z30JNTwsm2G1kk40Exb1hZFbtdhCM5YUGxVjjaokGSYTsGAi1qdIUfAJuYgx0JZlKZqLY0bZklb-6LhIZAFPVH72oYVMYFMgkMGea4JqSVVPfpDGcRg&sa=X&ei=fgKGVL-APMOdNuz4gYgB&ved=0CJ0BEPMCMAE), markets their stone-ground corn grits as ā€œAlso known as Polenta.ā€ I prefer yellow grits to white grits, and for me, the differences between the yellow grits and the polenta that Iā€™ve eaten are totally unnoticeable. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/286 "2014-12-08T20:52:00Z")
> [@Orpington](#): > > Jello - unless you put stuff in it (yes I love jello salads) itā€™s usually just sick people food for adults. It counts as clear liquid and if youā€™re fasting for surgery or because youā€™ve got a tummy bug, itā€™s more satisfying than broth. Try putting whipped cream on it. Soooo good. Basically, any ice cream float is good. Try orange soda and vanilla ice cream. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/287 "2014-12-08T21:03:05Z")
_dup below_ ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/288 "2014-12-08T21:04:22Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I know thereā€™s dispute about whether grits are the same thing as polenta; itā€™s helpful to remember that these are not terms in a scientific taxonomy, and that thereā€™s no clear correct answer. For example, one of the major makers of gourmet grits, [Bobā€™s Red Mill](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9371166105881415269?q=grits&es_sm=122&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.80642063,d.eXY&biw=1600&bih=813&tch=1&ech=1&psi=fQKGVPjJE8qpNv-ShAg.1418068606056.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX1FFiL7EE-a9LAgnSwCT3wpgUcQk5NluvW2Z30JNTwsm2G1kk40Exb1hZFbtdhCM5YUGxVjjaokGSYTsGAi1qdIUfAJuYgx0JZlKZqLY0bZklb-6LhIZAFPVH72oYVMYFMgkMGea4JqSVVPfpDGcRg&sa=X&ei=fgKGVL-APMOdNuz4gYgB&ved=0CJ0BEPMCMAE), markets their stone-ground corn grits as ā€œAlso known as Polenta.ā€ > > I prefer yellow grits to white grits, and for me, the differences between the yellow grits and the polenta that Iā€™ve eaten are totally unnoticeable. Iā€™m speaking in terms of hominy grits vs polenta. Iā€™m not aware of any polenta being made from hominy. If there is, then, yes, they are the same thing in that case. And non-hominy grits are the same as polenta (as far as I can tell). But the grits Iā€™ve usually encountered are hominy grits, and those are not the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/289 "2014-12-08T21:12:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I vaguely remember that episode, but I disagree with him there (and this would not be the first time Iā€™ve disagreed with Alton.) I disagree with him often, but Iā€™m not sure if thereā€™s anything specific about the episode that I would disagee with. He basically takes one ingredient and makes two different dishes with it. And those who keep asking if grits are gritty, the answer is no. The word grits evolved from the word grist, which was still in use in many parts of the South (especially South Carolina) as recently as the 60s and 70s. At least, thatā€™s my understanding, though Iā€™m sure itā€™s more complicated than that. I have a lot of old southern cookbooks that call the dish grist. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/290 "2014-12-08T21:21:56Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I disagree with him often, but Iā€™m not sure if thereā€™s anything specific about the episode that I would disagee with. He basically takes one ingredient and makes two different dishes with it. Sure, you can use them interchangeably in most recipes. Butā€“as far as hominy grits and polenta are concernedā€“they yield slightly different products that are noticeably different, in my opinion. Like a cornmeal-based tamale vs a tamale made with masa. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/291 "2014-12-08T21:39:13Z")
I think he acknowledges that hominy grits are a different product, but doesnā€™t really get into it too deeply. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/292 "2014-12-08T21:50:50Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > The two differences are that itā€™s a white cheese, not orange like American cheeses, and it melts differently. Nopeā€¦ it is orange just like American cheese. > **[Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Velveeta - The Cards We Drew](https://thecardswedrew.com/cheesy-chicken-spaghetti-with-velveeta/)** > > My hubby is from Texas and we get to visit at least once, if not more, each year. It's always fun to see the recipes that his family and friends use because they are usually things we don't typically make in our house. A few years ago my husband's... It does melt differently though. ---
**Author:** ![Orpington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cc9497/32.png) [@Orpington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orpington)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/293 "2014-12-09T15:11:41Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > [Ahem.](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=corn+dog%2C+corny+dog&year_start=1950&year_end=2014&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Ccorn%20dog%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Ccorny%20dog%3B%2Cc0)šŸ˜‰ Wow I guess all those people are misinformed! šŸ˜‰ Seriously, I never heard corn dog until I was an adult and it still sounds silly to me. Partly because itā€™s not uncommon around here for an excessively sexually interested guy to be called a ā€œhorn dogā€. No biggie. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/294 "2014-12-09T16:19:28Z")
> [@Orpington](#): > > Wow I guess all those people are misinformed! šŸ˜‰ > Seriously, I never heard corn dog until I was an adult and it still sounds silly to me. Well, to be fair it [seems](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_dog) that at least one of the claimed originators of the corn dog called it a corny dog. > [@](#): > > Partly because itā€™s not uncommon around here for an excessively sexually interested guy to be called a ā€œhorn dogā€. Yes, so one has to be careful to enunciate _ **C** _orn. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/295 "2014-12-09T16:53:15Z")
> [@Orpington](#): > > Wow I guess all those people are misinformed! šŸ˜‰ > Seriously, I never heard corn dog until I was an adult and it still sounds silly to me. Partly because itā€™s not uncommon around here for an excessively sexually interested guy to be called a ā€œhorn dogā€. No biggie. Out of linguistic curiosity, where does it go by the name ā€œcorny dogā€? If you donā€™t want to reveal your general location, thatā€™s fine, I just like keeping track of regional names for food items. (Iā€™ve only known it as ā€œcorn dogā€ here in the Chicago and general Illinois area.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/296 "2014-12-09T16:58:56Z")
_Corny_ dogs are a staple of the Texas State Fair. Everywhere else they are better known as plain _corn_ dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/297 "2014-12-09T17:17:57Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Iā€™m speaking in terms of hominy grits vs polenta. That makes senseā€“Iā€™m just pointing out that, while many and maybe even most grits are hominy grits, not all grits are hominy grits. I wonder if most yellow grits are not hominy? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/298 "2014-12-09T17:36:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > That makes senseā€“Iā€™m just pointing out that, while many and maybe even most grits are hominy grits, not all grits are hominy grits. I wonder if most yellow grits are not hominy? Iā€™m guessing not, but the grits Iā€™m most familiar with and encounter in the North are of the Quaker Old Fashioned type, which are white and hominy. ---
**Author:** ![Orpington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cc9497/32.png) [@Orpington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orpington)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/299 "2014-12-09T17:50:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Out of linguistic curiosity, where does it go by the name ā€œcorny dogā€? If you donā€™t want to reveal your general location, thatā€™s fine, I just like keeping track of regional names for food items. (Iā€™ve only known it as ā€œcorn dogā€ here in the Chicago and general Illinois area.) No problem - see below. > [@silenus](#): > > _Corny_ dogs are a staple of the Texas State Fair. Everywhere else they are better known as plain _corn_ dogs. Yep, I grew up in Dallas. Went to the state fair every year as a kid and into college. Iā€™m pretty sure itā€™s the only place I ever had corny dogs. I donā€™t remember when or where I realized not everyone said corny dog. There used to be a place at some of the mall food courts that sold them but it never felt right without the fair. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307/300 "2014-12-09T18:04:00Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Fritos! :o > > I sometimes use them to scrape ribbons from a brick of cream cheese and then let the combination melt in my mouth. Pure bliss! Fun fact- thanks to their structure and their oil content, Fritos burn like candles. You can use them as tinder if youā€™re trying to start a fire. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-things-americans-eat-that-foreigners-hate/706307.md?page=16)