American Street Food Traditions
Hot Dogs: German immigrants’ frankfurters became America’s quintessential street food, with regional variations including Chicago-style, New York-style, and Coney Island dogs.
Regional Street Foods:
- Philly Cheesesteaks: Thinly sliced beef with cheese on hoagie rolls
- New Orleans Po’ Boys: Fried seafood or roast beef on French bread
- Chicago Italian Beef: Seasoned roast beef with peppers on Italian rolls
- Midwest Pork Tenderloin: Breaded and fried pork cutlets on buns
Fast-Food Culture
Innovation: America created the modern fast food industry, emphasizing speed, consistency, and affordability.
Distinctive Contributions:
- Burger Culture: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s standardization
- Fried Chicken: KFC’s pressure-frying technique, Popeyes’ Louisiana-style
- Pizza Delivery: Domino’s delivery model, Pizza Hut’s pan pizza
- Drive-Through: In-N-Out’s fresh preparation, regional chains like Whataburger
