1. Apple Pie

There's a reason the saying "Americans are like apple pie": this sweet treat is a national institution. Forget anyone who tries to tell you pecan or key lime is better, because they're lying. The simple combination of sugar, buttery pastry, and tart apple slices creates a dessert so unique that extraordinary people have dedicated their lives to perfecting it. For a particularly good example, try apple pie with green chilies in Pie City, New Mexico.

2. Hamburger

Every American has a different idea of ​​where to find the best hamburgers in the country, from fast food on the West Coast to fine dining in New York City. But only one place has been recognized by the Library of Congress as the birthplace of the hamburger: New Haven, Connecticut. The ship still serves burgers made with a five-meat blend and cooked in a century-old cast iron grill .

It's practically illegal to visit Boston without trying New England clam chowder. The fragrant soup, sold everywhere, looks ugly, white and tough. But one taste is all it takes to fall in love. Whoever decided to combine the shellfish with tender potatoes, salt pork, heavy cream, and herbs was a genius. There are countless ways to enjoy it, but you might as well go all out and get a bread bowl at Atlantic Fish Company, where the chefs carve a cavity in a fresh meatball, pour in the heavenly juices, and then top it off and start over. Edible cutlery.

4. Bagel and Lox

Trying to narrow down New York City to a single iconic dish is futile. A Nathan's hot dog? Pastrami? A bad diner coffee? And with bagels and lox, it's a weekend staple on many Manhattan tables. Scientific studies have been conducted to try to figure out why New York bagels outdo all others. Legend has it all down to the water. Whatever the reason, go to a Lower East Side restaurant and tell them you want some smoked fish, cream cheese, and, if you're feeling fancy, caviar.

5. Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago pizza looks and tastes different. As the name suggests, this dish is deep, meaning the crust rises high to accommodate the smothering cheese and tomato sauce. Unsurprisingly, they call it "pie." It's not for the lighthearted; try it only when wearing dark clothing or a large napkin. For a particularly authentic meal, pair the pie with a sugary soda. You might want to do this at the restaurant, which claims to have invented the Italian-American hybrid dish in 1943.

6. Add biscuits and sausage gravy

In the United States, a biscuit is essentially a flaky, flatbread typically made with lard and buttermilk. In places like Montana, where people burn off energy while working on horse farms, biscuits are eaten for breakfast smothered in thick, white gravy studded with sausage. It's a surefire way to wake you up in the morning. For a fun twist, try the musical version in Austin, Texas.

7. Texas BBQ

Australians may enjoy cheering on the Barbie on weekends, but Texans live and die by it. Mesquite-smoked meats and tenders are common obsessions, and it's not uncommon to go to a football game and find people bringing their entire range to the parking lot, worth upwards of five or even ten thousand dollars—a pastime known as "tailgating." For a good brisket, head to the Dallas Farmers Market, wait in line, and find a seat. Pork kebabs, pulled pork, beef ribs, and collard greens are also good. Basically, they have it all.

8. Corn porridge

Southern food seems to exist in its own universe, and entire lists could be written focusing solely on things like chicken and waffles (yes, you read that correctly). So perhaps it's a good idea to stick with just one foundation: grits, which is essentially corn ground into a meal and then cooked in butter or bacon grease. It sounds crude, but it's actually sublime. For proof, try this Charleston, South Carolina, restaurant that serves grits with shrimp and andouille sausage. Pair it with Brussels sprouts and sweetened iced tea.

9. Tacos

Los Angeles is a city with a Mexican restaurant on virtually every street corner. With so many Spanish speakers, you can find everything from greasy nachos on Venice Beach to delicate Michoacan-style goat stew. For a good sampler, forget the chain stuff and try Las Vegas, a small, simple restaurant in the Highland Park neighborhood where the menu ranges from burritos to mole verde and—deep-fried, crispy taco chicken.

10. Thanksgiving

So "Thanksgiving" isn't technically a food, but it's a legendary date on the American culinary calendar (the fourth Thursday of every November) that demands recognition. Officially, this holiday is about friends and family, but everyone knows it's really about turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, and belly aches. While these recipes, like most of the things on this list, seem custom-made to give you a heart attack or diabetes, they're all delicious and, together, create one of the most ridiculously enjoyable feasts you could ever attend. Many restaurants offer menus, as the most special option is always a friend's, even if they've roasted the bird.