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When dining at an American restaurant, there are certain menu items you’re sure to see. These classic foods have earned their place as some of the nation’s favorites. Learn more about the most popular American dishes, from their history and beyond, in the guide below.

5 Quintessential American Foods

1. Country Fried Steak

Inspired by Wiener schnitzel, a fried veal dish brought over by German immigrants, country-fried steak is a hearty comfort food with a long history. Food historians place the inception of this dish as far back as the early 1800s, with recipes appearing in Southern cookbooks. This breaded, seasoned beef is best enjoyed smothered in pepper gravy and flanked by mashed potatoes and greens.

2. Meatloaf

Whether it’s served in a sandwich or on its own, meatloaf is considered an All-American dish that permeates every diner and home dinner table. Although its origins are unclear, many pinpoint the rise in popularity to the Great Depression. People would mix their meat with breadcrumbs to make their supply last, creating a warm, inexpensive, and filling meal that helped many families through tough times.

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Warm and gooey, popular among picky eaters, and perfect for tomato soup dipping, it’s no wonder just about every U.S. restaurant carries grilled cheese. These irresistible sandwiches were invented sometime during the 1920s, when affordable sliced bread and American cheese were first becoming widely available. There are as many ways to make grilled cheese sandwiches as there are types of cheese, but the classic recipe is hard to beat.

4. Biscuits & Gravy

restaurantWhen it comes to Southern comfort, gravy is the ultimate topping. This rings especially true when combined with flaky buttermilk biscuits. Biscuits and gravy have been around since before the colonies declared independence, served as a hearty, low-cost breakfast for hard-working people.

5. Hamburger

No classic American food list would be complete without the hamburger. Burgers are easily a fan-favorite of the nation, with a history as intricate and cross-cultural as the United States itself. Believed to be invented by the Mongolian army during the 11th century, then picked up by Russians and later German sailors, early hamburgers traveled the world before finally reaching the U.S. via German refugees. The dish spread quickly among restaurants and street vendors, eventually gaining the star status of today.

 

Craving any of these mouthwatering American classics? King Street Kitchen of La Crosse, WI will prepare your dish of choice using the highest quality ingredients. Known across the Tri-State area for offering an impressive selection of delicious options, from hearty comfort foods and kid’s meals to vegetarian dishes and low-calorie 500 Club meals, they cater to diners from all walks of life. Take a look at their menu online, or call (608) 784-9660 to hear about their weekly specials.

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