🇺🇸 USA Food Guide

American food is wildly underrated globally — not because of fast food, but despite it. Regional traditions from BBQ to Creole to New England seafood to California farm-to-table are some of the world's most compelling food cultures.

Signature Dishes

Food Cities

$8+

Budget From

American Regional

Cuisine Style

Must-Try Dishes

What to Eat in USA

The essential dishes every visitor should try — from street food to signature plates.

🥩

Smoked Brisket

$15-25/lb

🦞

Lobster Roll

$22-38

🍗

Nashville Hot Chicken

$10-18

🍕

NY-Style Pizza

$3-5/slice

🥪

New Orleans Po'boy

$12-18

🌯

Mission Burrito

$12-16

🍔

Cheeseburger

$8-16

🥧

Apple Pie

$5-8

Top Food Cities

Where to Eat in USA

The cities with the most interesting food scenes — ranked by Otto.

🗽

New York City

World's most diverse food city — every cuisine on Earth within a few subway stops

🎷

New Orleans

America's most unique food city — Creole, Cajun, beignets, po'boys, gumbo

🌴

Los Angeles

Tacos, Korean BBQ, sushi, avocado toast, farm-to-table — America's food lab

🌉

San Francisco

Mission burritos, Dungeness crab, sourdough, dim sum, wine country

Food Guides

Otto's USA Articles

Deep dives into the food culture, street food scenes, and local secrets.

🥩

American BBQ: A Region-by-Region Guide

Texas vs KC vs Memphis vs Carolina — where to go and what to order.

HeritageBBQ

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🎷

New Orleans in 48 Hours: A Food Itinerary

Café Du Monde beignets at 2am, morning po'boy, gumbo lunch, Creole dinner.

ItineraryNew Orleans

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🌮

Best Tacos in LA: East LA vs Boyle Heights

The real Los Angeles taco scene, explained.

Street FoodLos Angeles

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🦞

Maine vs Connecticut Lobster Roll: The Final Answer

We ate both. Maine wins. Connecticut disagrees.

Deep DiveSeafood

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Food Knowledge

Things to Know Before You Eat

The insider context that changes how you experience USA's food culture.

🥩 BBQ is Regional Religion

American BBQ has distinct regional styles: Texas (brisket, post oak smoke), Kansas City (all meats, tomato sauce), Memphis (dry-rub ribs), Carolina (pork, vinegar sauce). Arguing which is best is a lifelong project.

🎷 New Orleans is Different

New Orleans food is not American food — it's a completely separate cuisine. Creole uses French technique with African, Spanish, and Native American ingredients. Gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée are in a category of their own.

🌮 The Taco Question

The best tacos in America are in Los Angeles (Boyle Heights, East LA) and San Antonio. They are not Tex-Mex. They are proper street tacos from Mexican families.

🦞 Lobster Roll: Two Religions

Connecticut style: warm butter. Maine style: cold mayo and celery. The debate is serious. Maine usually wins.

💸 Budget Reality

Food truck taco: $3-5. Slice of NY pizza: $3-5. Fast-casual: $12-18. America has the world's best fast-casual food at every price point.