# Help build an "American Food" menu **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 12, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470 "2004-08-12T01:36:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/21 "2004-08-12T06:55:06Z")
Peanut butter sandwiches with concord grape jelly on Wonder bread, washed down with root beer. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/22 "2004-08-12T07:27:19Z")
Quite a few people beat me to the punch… so here’s some stuff I could think of… Passenger pigeons. (Alas, now distinct.) Buffalo jerky. Buffalo wings. Crawdads. Ice cream cones. Boiled custard. Turducken. Gooey Butter. Boiled peanuts. Coca-Cola. Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Dr. Pepper. Sex On The Beach. Long Island Ice Teas. Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars. Moon Pies. Dagwood Sandwiches. Pizza Pie, and particularly the pizza-by-the-slice concept. Salad bars concept. Peach cobbler. Muslim Navy Bean Pie. and about 99% sure almost every popular dish requiring mayonaisse, although mayonaisse itself is a 17th century French invention. So Deviled Eggs, Potato Salads. Toward the end of compiling this list, I found this website sort of helpful. > **[Famous Inventions](https://www.thoughtco.com/famous-inventions-4133301)** > > From airships and zeppelins to Slinkys and yo-yos, easily research the history of any famous invention with A-to-Z lists, timelines, and historical essays. It mentioned Gator-Ade, Kool-Aid and Tang, which I kicked myself for not thinking of those first. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/23 "2004-08-12T07:28:41Z")
Did I just type, “Alas, now distinct?” While technically true, I meant _extinct_. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/24 "2004-08-12T12:56:30Z")
New World Foods: corn, potato, tomato, bell pepper, chili pepper, vanilla, beans, pumpkin, cassava root, avocado, peanut, pecan, cashew, pineapple, blueberry, sunflower, quinine, wild rice, cacao (chocolate), gourds, and squash. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/25 "2004-08-12T13:50:07Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Most of the things listed in this thread aren’t. Most of the things listed in this thread originated here, which I believe is what the OP is after. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/26 "2004-08-12T13:53:51Z")
BTW: the potato is from _South_ America. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/27 "2004-08-12T14:26:28Z")
clam chowder wild rice potato skins rhubarb pie ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/28 "2004-08-12T14:51:36Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > New World Foods: corn, potato, tomato, bell pepper, chili pepper, vanilla, beans, pumpkin, cassava root, avocado, peanut, pecan, cashew, pineapple, blueberry, sunflower, quinine, wild rice, cacao (chocolate), gourds, and squash. You can also add wild rice and cranberries to this list. They are North American in origin. Both sweet potatoes and white potatoes are South American in origin, and there is some argument that coconuts are as well. Strawberries are indigenous to both North and South America (Fragaria chiloensis is South American and F. virginiana is North American). There’s probably more but I can’t think of them now. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/29 "2004-08-12T15:04:14Z")
Philly cheesesteak. Crawfish etoufee and gumbo (or is that french?). Dry rub ribs. Pulled pork sandwiches. Alaska king crab. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/30 "2004-08-12T15:04:44Z")
Grits! ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/31 "2004-08-12T16:28:28Z")
Fried okra. Red beans and rice. Blackened catfish. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/32 "2004-08-12T16:31:04Z")
Oh yeah, and cold cereal (except for muesli) originated here. Where would the world be without Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Shredded Wheat and Raisin Bran? ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/33 "2004-08-12T17:11:47Z")
Peanutbutter and jelly Pumkin pie Fritos ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/34 "2004-08-12T17:22:50Z")
Chop suey. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/35 "2004-08-12T17:45:01Z")
Cornbread Gyros Deep-fried Oreos Jambalaya Crawfish Etoufee Wonder Bread and American cheese Hawaiian pizza ---
**Author:** ![Hugh\_Jass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/36 "2004-08-12T18:53:31Z")
Obviously, we’re just trying to think of native American foods here, but think about what kind of restaurant would serve the following all on one menu: Raisin Bran Pringles etouffe Kool-Aid peanut butter sandwiches cheese curds beef jerky cranberries corn on the cob corn dogs fortune cookies ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/37 "2004-08-12T23:34:17Z")
Fresh-fried potato chips. Invented in a moment of sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/38 "2004-08-13T00:37:37Z")
> [@Hugh Jass](#): > > Obviously, we’re just trying to think of native American foods here, but think about what kind of restaurant would serve the following all on one menu: > > Raisin Bran > Pringles > etouffe > Kool-Aid > peanut butter sandwiches > cheese curds > beef jerky > cranberries > corn on the cob > corn dogs > fortune cookies I went to college in New Orleans, and I think I can honestly say our campus cafeteria. It wasn’t exactly KWIZ-EEN! ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Igor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Vlad\_Igor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Igor)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/39 "2004-08-13T01:54:23Z")
Ok. Thanks everyone for the ideas; keep them coming. I see a distinction between indigenous plants and animals to N. America and dishes that are uniquely N. American. I was thinking of both, actually. So, this is what I have on the menu: Breakfast: Plain or blueberry pancakes with rich maple syrup from Quebec, the Gaspesie and Northern New England Grits, steaming hot with a pat of butter Corn Flakes or shredded wheat with milk Lunch: Grinders with various combinations of meats Philly Steak Hamburger or Cheeseburger Grilled cheese sandwich Hot Brown BLT sandwich Dinner Entrees: All entrees include a visit to the salad bar. The Thanksgiving plate: Roasted turkey with cranberry sauce. Comes with squash, sweet corn, green beans and pumpkin pie. The New Englander: A bowl of clam chowder, accompanied by a sampler plate of lobster tail, clams and mussels with garlic butter. Served with your choice of carrots or peas. The Texan: Chili con carne (indicate mild, medium or fire-alarm spiciness), roasted jalapenos stuffed with jack cheese, and corn chips with guacamole dip. Mother’s best: Mouth watering meatloaf, served with steaming mashed potatoes, greenbeans slowly cooked in butter and ham hock. Cajun Combo: Shrimp gumbo, with a platter of blackened catfish, cornbread and black-eyed peas. The Fish Fry: Batter-dipped Boston Scrod deep fried to a golden crisp. Your choice of two: Baked beans, potato salad, or cole-slaw. The Pic-Nic: Your choice or pulled pork or beef barbecue or fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and a side of waldorf salad. The Canadian: Poutine, dulce, [meat and veggie] Sides: Fried green tomatoes Fried cheese curds Buffalo Wings Wild rice Zucchini, carrot, pupmkin, banana breads boiled or roasted and salted peanuts Children’s menu: PB&J or PB&H Mac and cheese Beany-weenies Desserts: Apple, peach, key lime, rhubarb, derby pies Strawberry shortcake Peach, apple or blueberry cobbler Watermelon slices Brownies Smores Nanaimo bars Drinks: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, sweet tea, steam beer, micro-brewery beers with hops from the PNW, California and Mid-West wines. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470/40 "2004-08-13T02:03:59Z")
crab cakes soft shell crab [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-build-an-american-food-menu/259470.md?page=3)