When thinking about eating in America, you probably imagine pizzas, hot dogs, french fries, twinkies and anything else that is both typical America and reassuringly familiar. However, if you look hard enough, there are some downright weird foods that deserve to be tried at least once in your lifetime.
The following foods may not be what your taste buds call for when hungry, but if you are a food lover, you might still consider adding them to your bucket list of foods to try when you’re traveling across the country.
1. Chocolate Gravy in Arkansas
Arkansas is famed for its chicken fried steaks and BBQ beef sandwiches, but these are rather traditional foods to find on a menu. But the Natural State does boast a different dish that’s less expected and no, we aren’t talking about the possum pie at this hotel in Russellville, Arkansas. (Don’t worry, no possums are involved in the making of this lovely sweet dessert). Rather, we are talking about the unusual (yet traditional to Arkansas), chocolate gravy. Originating in the nearby Ozarks, this (thankfully) is something you wouldn’t put on your Sunday roast–unless you wanted to. Instead, it’s an Arkansas tradition that is designed for your biscuits and sweet desserts, such as the aforementioned possum pie. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy!
2. Creative ice cream flavors in New York City
After reading our article on the ice cream stores in New York City, you might be a little adventurous occasionally, opting for something other than the traditional strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla. You might go for butter cake, for example, or even something infused with a little alcohol. But cheddar cheese? Wasabi? Corn on the cob? Strawberry horseradish? In New York, there are all kinds of crazy ice cream flavors available to you, and some of them are included in these alternative ice cream stores. Be brave; we dare you!
3. Fried Alligator in Florida
While we could have mentioned Florida’s famed swamp cabbage here (it’s not as disgusting as it sounds), we opted for a less traditional type of deep-fried food. Well, unless you live in Florida, where fried gator is becoming as popular as fried chicken, which ironically, tastes pretty much the same (or so we’ve heard). Of course, chickens are much easier to catch if you’re preparing your Sunday dinner on your own. But there are plenty of diners in this southern state that are more snap-happy with their meat choices. Check out this food guide for some examples.
4. Rattlesnake chili in Arizona
Also popular in Texas, this is one type of chili most of us aren’t familiar with. Which is understandable because how many of us are willing to catch a rattlesnake to put in our chili pots? Still, if you’re partial to a bowl of the hot stuff and want something else that (apparently) tastes a lot like chicken–why people can’t just settle on chicken itself, we don’t know–you might want to pick this ssssssavoury dish from the menu at Rustler’s Rooste, especially if you want something that has that added bite when you’re eating!
Well, have your tastebuds been tempted enough to try one of these weird dishes? Or do you think you’ll be sticking to your hot dogs and french fries? Let us know in the comment below. And if you’ve eaten any other weird foods while traveling across the country, please send us your recommendations to try (or to stay away from)!
