Food preferences in America are as diverse as the population itself, creating clear battle lines between culinary heroes and villains. Some dishes inspire passionate devotion while others trigger instant gag reflexes across the nation.
Whether you’re nodding in agreement or preparing to defend your favorite controversial bite, this rundown of America’s food loves and hates will have you questioning your taste buds – or feeling validated in your culinary opinions.
1. Liver And Onions
Just mentioning liver and onions can clear a room faster than announcing mandatory overtime. This old-school dish haunts the memories of countless Americans forced to choke it down as children.
The iron-rich flavor hits like licking a rusty pole, while the mushy-yet-grainy texture defies culinary logic. Even the most talented chefs struggle to disguise the metallic aftertaste that lingers for what feels like centuries.
2. Black Licorice
Black licorice doesn’t just have haters – it has passionate enemies willing to fight to keep this polarizing confection away from their taste buds. That distinctive anise flavor hits like a medicinal punch to the mouth, leaving no middle ground for casual appreciation.
Grandparents mysteriously love it while younger generations wonder if it’s actually punishment disguised as candy. Science backs up the disgust – researchers have identified specific genetic markers that determine whether you find black licorice delightful or demonic.
3. Blue Cheese
“Who decided to eat cheese with blue mold and call it fancy?” – the eternal question of blue cheese haters everywhere. This funky fromage divides dinner parties with its pungent personality that walks the line between gourmet and garbage.
The creamy-crumbly texture hides flavor bombs of bacterial goodness that either delight sophisticated palates or trigger instant revulsion. No middle ground exists in blue cheese territory – you’re either reaching for seconds or desperately scraping your tongue.
4. Spam
Spam – that rectangular meat mystery that survived World War II only to face the battlefield of American dinner tables. This processed pork product lounges in pantries nationwide, waiting for apocalyptic scenarios when fresh meat becomes a distant memory.
The gelatinous wobble when sliced strikes terror into the hearts of health-conscious eaters. Meanwhile, its salty flavor profile and uncanny ability to last basically forever has earned it cult status in Hawaii and other parts of the world.
5. Oysters
Raw oysters sit atop the throne of divisive foods, challenging Americans to slurp what essentially looks like ocean phlegm. These slippery sea nuggets inspire poetic devotion from coastal dwellers while sending inland folks running for the hills.
The texture alone – that unique combination of slick, chewy, and somehow still firm – creates instant judgment about your culinary bravery. Add the briny flavor that hits like drinking seawater through a living filter, and you’ve got a perfect storm of polarizing food.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese looks like something went terribly wrong during the dairy manufacturing process. Those mysterious white curds floating in milky liquid create a texture nightmare that millions of Americans simply can’t stomach.
Diet culture championed this lumpy protein source for decades, forcing reluctant eaters to spoon it alongside canned peaches in sad lunch attempts. The squeaky bite and mild-yet-somehow-sour flavor profile fails to win hearts despite nutritionists singing its praises.
7. Beets
Beets polarize dinner tables with their earthy flavor that critics describe as “literally tasting like dirt.” These vibrant root vegetables stain everything they touch – fingers, cutting boards, and apparently taste buds with traumatic food memories.
The sweet-yet-soil-like flavor profile leaves many Americans wondering if they’re eating vegetables or the garden itself. Health enthusiasts champion their nutritional superpowers while conveniently ignoring that eating them feels like chewing on sweetened potting soil.
8. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts spent decades as America’s most bullied vegetable, forcing children into standoffs with parents over dinner tables nationwide. These mini-cabbages earned their notorious reputation through years of being boiled into sulfurous, mushy oblivion by well-meaning but culinarily challenged parents.
The bitter compounds that make children instinctively reject them actually have scientific backing – young taste buds are more sensitive to these flavors. Modern cooking techniques have somewhat redeemed these green orbs, with roasting and bacon-adding converting some former haters.
9. Anchovies
Anchovies – those tiny silvery fish that launch a thousand pizza arguments. These intensely salty, powerfully fishy little fillets have been dividing friends ordering late-night pizza since delivery became an option.
Their umami-bomb flavor transforms everything they touch, which anchovy haters describe as “ruining perfectly good food.” The mere suggestion of adding these potent little swimmers to a shared meal can trigger dramatic protests and accusations of culinary sabotage.
10. Cilantro
Cilantro isn’t just disliked – it’s genetically discriminated against. This unassuming herb creates battlefield lines through dinner parties thanks to a specific gene that makes it taste like dish soap to roughly 15% of the population.
Those without the genetic variation wonder why anyone would refuse this bright, citrusy herb that elevates tacos and curries. Meanwhile, the soap-tasters remain convinced that cilantro enthusiasts are participating in a massive gastronomic prank.
11. Pizza
Pizza achieves the impossible by uniting Americans across all demographic divides. This magical disc of dough, sauce, and cheese transcends political affiliations, generational gaps, and regional rivalries to achieve universal beloved status.
The perfect balance of carbs, fat, and just enough vegetable matter to pretend it’s not completely unhealthy makes pizza the ultimate guilt-free indulgence. From New York’s foldable slices to Chicago’s deep-dish casseroles, regional styles create passionate debate while never questioning the fundamental greatness of pizza itself.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies wield nostalgic power unmatched by any other baked good in America. That perfect combination of buttery dough studded with melty chocolate chunks activates pleasure centers in the brain that scientists are still trying to fully understand.
The aroma alone – that warm, vanilla-infused scent wafting through the house – can transform the most sophisticated adult into a wide-eyed child again. Everyone has their preference: soft and chewy, thin and crispy, or the controversial cakey variety, yet all versions maintain devoted followings.
13. Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese holds the unique distinction of being simultaneously gourmet restaurant-worthy and kindergarten-approved. This magical combination of pasta and cheese sauce has comforted Americans through breakups, blizzards, and bad days for generations.
From blue box convenience to truffle-infused specialties with artisanal cheese blends, the basic formula remains undefeated. The creamy, cheesy, carb-loaded goodness hits pleasure receptors that nutritionists may frown upon but that souls absolutely require.
14. Hamburgers
Hamburgers represent American ingenuity at its finest – taking a simple concept and elevating it to an art form. This perfect handheld meal democratizes dining, equally at home at backyard barbecues and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The symphony of flavors and textures – juicy beef, melty cheese, fresh vegetables, and sauces all contained between soft buns – creates a portable masterpiece that somehow improves with each regional variation.
15. Ice Cream
Ice cream transcends mere dessert status to become America’s official emotional support food. This frozen miracle has comforted broken hearts, celebrated victories, and soothed sore throats with equal effectiveness throughout American history.
The creamy, cold perfection creates an experience that engages all senses – from the visual delight of colorful scoops to that distinctive sound of a spoon cracking the surface. With endless flavor possibilities from classic vanilla to avant-garde combinations, ice cream accommodates both traditionalists and culinary adventurers.
16. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken achieves the culinary impossible – a universally adored dish that somehow becomes more special when made “just like my grandmother’s.” That perfect contrast between crackling, seasoned crust and juicy, tender meat creates a sensory experience that borders on religious for devoted fans.
Regional variations showcase America’s diversity: Nashville brings the heat, Korean-American fusion adds sweet-spicy glaze, while classic Southern buttermilk versions maintain their historic dominance.
17. French Fries
French fries perform culinary magic by transforming a humble potato into crispy, salty sticks of pure joy. These golden flavor vehicles have sparked more “just one more” broken promises than any other food in American history.
Their versatility knows no bounds – from fancy truffle oil drizzles in upscale restaurants to cheese-smothered diner versions to the simple perfection of drive-thru fries devoured straight from the bag. Regional specialties like animal-style, poutine, or Old Bay seasoned create passionate devotees, while the classic salted version remains universally beloved.
18. Bacon
Bacon transcended basic breakfast status to achieve cult-like devotion in American food culture. That perfect combination of smoky, salty, fatty, crispy goodness activates pleasure centers in the brain that nutritionists may question but that taste buds enthusiastically celebrate.
The transformative power of bacon borders on magical – it improves everything from burgers to Brussels sprouts, convincing vegetable-avoiders to suddenly develop interest in previously rejected foods. Despite periodic health warnings and alternative protein options, America’s bacon love affair continues unabated.
19. Tacos
Tacos achieved the impossible by making Tuesday the second most anticipated day of the week. These perfect handheld packages deliver customizable flavor bombs that satisfy both culinary purists seeking authentic street-style simplicity and creative fusion enthusiasts.
The genius format – a flexible shell cradling perfectly seasoned fillings topped with fresh, vibrant garnishes – creates a portable feast that spans casual to gourmet with equal success. Regional varieties showcase America’s culinary diversity: SoCal fish tacos, Tex-Mex beef versions, and countless other delicious interpretations.
20. Apple Pie
Apple pie stands as the undisputed patriotic dessert of America, embodying nostalgia and national identity in every flaky, cinnamon-spiced bite. The magical alchemy of butter-rich crust embracing tender apple slices swimming in spiced sweetness creates an experience that transcends mere dessert.
Regional variations showcase America’s creative spirit – from double-crusted classics to crumb-topped Dutch versions to cheddar cheese-paired New England interpretations. The seasonal anticipation of fall apple harvests followed by holiday pie traditions connects Americans to both agricultural rhythms and family histories.