So sayeth the James Beard Foundation. In a white paper (download PDF from JBF here), the culinary society tried to take the measure of U.S. food culture and determine whether, in this nation that's often called a melting pot, we had a distinctly American cuisine. Of the 248 people surveyed, 90.8 percent believed we did have one. According to those surveyed, the top five foods that make up this crazy quilt of Amerifood are:
Hamburgers and cheeseburgers
Barbecue
Fried chicken
Mac and cheese
Apple pie
So I think it's time to adjust a phrase: "As American as baseball and burgers" will now replace "... baseball and apple pie." Chew on that as you down some burgers this Fourth of July weekend.
And stay tuned, folks, because we're about to drop a beautiful analysis of one of the most important burgers in the nation—certainly one that has woven its way into American foodlore.
I heartily concur that hamburgers are distinctly American. I'm biased though. A hamburger is the only food I could eat every day. Of course I don't, and I never would unless I wanted to resemble a sumo wrestler, but in my dreams there's a hamburger on my plate today and all days.
Is there a national food? If not, there should be a grassroots movement to install the venerable hamburger in its rightful place.
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
Print
2 Comments:
that burger looks amazing!
suburbangourmet at 10:19AM on 07/01/08
I heartily concur that hamburgers are distinctly American. I'm biased though. A hamburger is the only food I could eat every day. Of course I don't, and I never would unless I wanted to resemble a sumo wrestler, but in my dreams there's a hamburger on my plate today and all days.
Is there a national food? If not, there should be a grassroots movement to install the venerable hamburger in its rightful place.
Oh yeah, and that burger does look amazing.
holdthemayo at 5:24PM on 07/01/08