When you think of American food, certain dishes pop into your head—like hot dogs, apple pie, and pizza. But the truth is, many of the foods people often call “American” actually came from other countries. Over time, they were just adopted, changed a little, and made popular in the U.S. Here are 15 dishes that didn’t start in America—but are now loved as they did.
Apple Pie
When you say something is “as American as apple pie,” you probably don’t stop to think about where it came from. Apple pie actually started in England and parts of Europe, where early versions were filled with figs, pears, and even meat. The American version with cinnamon and sugar became popular later, but the roots of this sweet treat go way back overseas.
Hamburger
Although it’s one of the most iconic American foods, the hamburger didn’t originate in the U.S. Its name comes from Hamburg, Germany, where minced beef was a popular dish. Immigrants brought the idea over, and Americans later added the bun and the toppings and turned it into a fast food favorite. So when you bite into a juicy burger, you’re tasting a little bit of German history.
French Fries
Despite the name, French fries aren’t exactly French. Many people believe they actually came from Belgium, where villagers used to fry small fish—then switched to potatoes when fish were scarce. American soldiers in World War I discovered them and called them “French” because French was the local language. Now, they’re on nearly every American menu, but their roots lie in Europe.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are often the go-to food for American cookouts, but they didn’t start here. They come from German sausages, specifically frankfurters and wieners, which were brought to the U.S. by German immigrants. The bun was an American twist added for easier eating. So when you’re grilling hot dogs on the Fourth of July, you’re actually celebrating with a German classic.
Pizza
When you order a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese, you might think you’re going full American—but pizza originally came from Italy. The flatbread-with-toppings concept was born in Naples, and it only made its way to America in the early 1900s with Italian immigrants. What we know today as “American-style pizza” is a big twist on the original, but it definitely didn’t start here.
Tacos
You’ll find tacos all across America, from food trucks to fancy restaurants, but they’re originally Mexican. Traditional tacos were made with soft corn tortillas and filled with meats like goat or fish. The American version added crunchy shells and shredded cheese. Even though Americans have adopted them, tacos have deep roots in Mexican street food and family kitchens.
Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese might feel like childhood on a plate, but it wasn’t invented in America. Its origins trace back to Europe, especially Italy and France, where cheesy pasta dishes were popular among the wealthy. Thomas Jefferson helped popularize it in the U.S. after tasting it abroad. The boxed version came much later, but the creamy, cheesy idea didn’t start on American soil.
Bagels
It’s easy to think of bagels as a New York thing, but they were actually first made in Poland. Jewish communities there baked round, chewy bread with a hole in the middle long before they reached American breakfast tables. Immigrants introduced the tradition to the U.S., and it gained popularity in cities like New York. Now, they’re an everyday food of a European origin.
Chicken Parmesan
If you’ve ever had a giant plate of chicken parmesan with spaghetti, you probably thought it was a classic Italian-American comfort food. But this dish is actually more American than Italian. It’s loosely based on eggplant parmesan from Italy, but Italian immigrants in the U.S. swapped in chicken and added more cheese and sauce. You won’t find this exact version in Italy.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs feel like the heart of Italian-American meals, but in Italy, they’re almost never served together. Italians do eat pasta, and they do eat meatballs, but they’re usually separate dishes. Immigrants in America started pairing the two because it was affordable, filling, and used familiar ingredients. Over time, it became one of the most well-known Italian-American creations.
Fortune Cookies
When you crack open a fortune cookie after a meal at a Chinese restaurant in America, you might think it’s a piece of Chinese tradition—but it’s actually from California. Japanese immigrants created early versions of the cookie in the early 1900s. During World War II, Chinese restaurants further popularized them. Ironically, most people in China have never even seen a fortune cookie.
Chimichangas
A deep-fried burrito feels like the ultimate guilty pleasure, but chimichangas were invented in the U.S., not Mexico. Arizona claims to be the birthplace of this crunchy dish, which may have started as a kitchen accident. It’s not traditional Mexican food at all, even though it uses some of the same ingredients. It’s a bold American twist on something already full of flavor.
General Tso’s Chicken
This sweet and spicy chicken dish isn’t something people in China usually eat. General Tso’s chicken was created in the United States by Chinese-American chefs who were catering to American tastes. It’s loosely named after a Chinese military leader, but the dish itself is a complete invention from restaurants in New York and other cities in the 1970s.
Caesar Salad
You’ll find Caesar salad on menus across the U.S., but it didn’t come from America. It was invented in Tijuana, Mexico, by an Italian-American restaurateur named Caesar Cardini. During a busy night at his restaurant, he tossed together romaine, croutons, cheese, and dressing with what ingredients he had—and it became a hit. So the next time you eat one, remember it has quite the border-crossing history.
Coleslaw
The creamy, crunchy side dish often served with barbecue or fried chicken actually originated in the Netherlands. The word “coleslaw” comes from the Dutch word “koolsla,” meaning cabbage salad. Dutch settlers brought the idea to America, and over time, it evolved to include mayonnaise and carrots. So even though it feels like a Southern staple, its roots are straight out of Europe.
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