Vegas is actually super cheap and fun as long as you don’t like gambling or strippers or popular shows. All of which I hate going to. I liked Vegas a lot last time I went.
Pick a lane.
I pity anyone who loves Vegas and still generalizes all Americans as fat and hateful. That’s pathetic.
You love the worst type of place that wastes resources but you still think everyone there is beneath you. That’s not a flex.
You are the type of person who goes to Dubai and says shit about the poor people there too. Gross!!
Depends on the state and city you’re going to, but you should absolutely try light Hispanic foods from a restaurant. Cubano sandwich (butter-carmelized onions and simple meats), fried plantains, churros, and nachos. If the restaurant looks too clean, none of these will be any good. And before someone says that a Cuban isn’t a snack, I don’t have a massive appetite and I can easily eat 2. They’re rarely filling
a million variations on potato chips and hard pretzels, some of them quite regional.
birch beer
Other food:
On the west coast and other places: Taco trucks and Asian food.
In the north east: subs or hoagies (buffalo chicken cheesesteak), good cheep pizza, Amish farm stands (homemade baked goods, cheese, rootbeer)
On the east coast and the south: arguably there is somewhat of a gas station food culture (Wawa, Buc-ees, Sheetz, etc). Its not that interesting, but more novel than a McDonald's.
I'd say maybe icecream? There are some really good classic creameries here, but I don't really know whether locally made freshly churned icecream is also a thing in lots of other places 🤷♂️ NC state near me (a university) makes amazing icecream with their agriculture department
Most things that come to mind are food, and will depend on where you are. Here in NC pulled pork bbq would be a must (with regional variations in the style of sauce), just gotta find one of the good places that do it well. I'd try and learn a little about the food culture of where you're headed and see what sounds interesting if food stuff beyond snacks interests you
S’mores if you can get to a campfire for that authentic experience
Reese’s peanut butter cups
Cool ranch Doritos are addictive
Beef jerky
Also - this is food food, but it’d be a good time to visit a sports bar and get some buffalo wings! For some reason they’re always wrong when I get them abroad
(IIRC you're UK-based) Authentic Mexican foods, and other things that are hard to come by in the UK. I was a picky eater as a child and didn't care for it, but I spent my early childhood on RAF Feltwell hearing people wishing they could get good Mexican food.
For common american foods? Jerky, smoked meats (brisket 🤤), fried... everything.
Edit: food culture varies wildly based on region. Generally "what country colonized and/or immigrated to this area" and "what ingredients are readily available and cheap in this area".
Where are you from? If you're from Europe, I suggest expanding beyond the normal US snacks into snacks brought to the US from Mexico like Fresas con Cremas.
Also Beavis & Butthead style gas station nachos with the fake cheese out of a pump is a US snack staple.
Also bar nachos are entirely different and usually much better than gas station nachos, so those are worth a shot as well.
Oh and get some Skittles since they are "Unfit for Human Consumption."
It depends on what part of the country you'll be in. If it happens to be in the south, i highly recommend trying some authentic buttermilk biscuits with white gravy or chicken and waffles with a big ol' glass of sweet ice tea. Thats my favorite, for sure.
I've lived in the north, south, west and Midwest US so I may be able to give an honest recommendation.
Depends on where. If bay area, Smitten Ice Cream. They make it with liquid nitrogen, so the ice crystals are impossibly fine; it's the smoothest ice cream I've ever had.
If Seattle, Un Bien is always a strong option for sandwiches. I worked at their prior shop as a teenager between terms.
I've been around the US a lot as a foodie, I can say more if I know what areas you plan on exploring!
Oh cool! So-Cal is the place to get tacos, of course. Anyplace that looks a little bit seedy that has a big lunch queue is going to have no wrong answers, but if you see quesabirria on the menu, get that (assuming you eat meat ofc). Don't skip the consomme, it's for dipping.
Looks like there's a place that does the liquid nitrogen schtick in LA now, Creamistry on Downey Ave. I don't think they were there last time I was in town. Maybe they give Smitten's a run for their money, would love to know your opinion!
I'm not from the area so can't give any actual spot suggestions. Like others have said, you owe it to yourself to try some authentic Mexican / Hispanic in general food. Same with Asian food, large diaspora there so you can get real authentic and delicious Chinese for scams.
Ask the people you're staying with or the staff where you stay what is good near them.
You asked what snacks to try - nothing you find in America snack wise will be good or better than wherever you're travelling from. Quintessential USA snacks though would be anything from lil Debbie or Hostess (twinkees and so forth), you might also find some novel candy if you look around.
Most of our snack stuff is highly processed garbage. It blows my mind how much higher quality the snacks are from overseas. My wife got my this snack box subscription that sends you treats from a different region around the world each month and it low-key makes me sad how much better the snack food is compared to our American trash.
That said, we have plenty of excellent and authentic ethnic food spots, especially in LA. Hope you enjoy yourself. I also would urge caution coming to the USA right now because of everything going on. If you can change your plans I'd say visit somewhere else for the next four years.
At the very least, I'd say pack a burner phone and if you bring any other electronics make sure they're clean installs and nothing on them except games or whatever work stuff. Don't come with a digital footprint, border agents can be dicks and they have way more authority than that should be granted and can just tell you to fuck off and deny entry. So don't fuck around.
LA is great for for variety! If you have 'Mexican' and it's not great don't give up. There's so much variety- tex mex, mex-mex, Baja, ...; and everyone does it a little differently. Second on the birria tacos!
If you like meat, try the regional differences in BBQ - West Coast tri-tip, Texas brisket, etc. pork/beef ribs, ...
Find something Cajun! I don't know if it's popular in other countries, but a great bowl of gumbo is a blast of flavor.
I had some root beer from a microbrewery on Route 1 that was incredible. I don't remember the place or if it's even still there, but microbrew root beer would be my personal suggestion!
Strawberry Shortcake - made with real buttermilk biscuits, real whipped cream (none of that canned shit!) and fresh strawberries with a light confectioners sugar glaze.
You said you're going to los angeles, so one place you might try is the famous hot dog joint, because depending on your timing it will coincide with the ride to eat. I don't see anything posted for this year, so I'm hoping it doesn't get canceled due to slowly dwindling lack of interest.
If you are there the saturday before thanksgiving, you'll meet a ton of interesting characters with good stories, AND get the famous hot dogs!
Everyone else is mentioning food styles, but if snacks are what you're interested in, there are two places to hit up for sure. 1. There are two, but they're far, cracker barrel stores in the los angeles area. Go inside, marvel at the tchotchkes inside, and grab yourself a handful of whatever old-fashioned candies they have. I don't know of any other place that dedicates itself to old-fashioned candy like cracker barrel's little store, but maybe you could find cheaper and better within los angeles. Might be something to ask a local.
Find a super gas station. From my time in texas, it was bucees, and when I was in utah/colorado it was maverik... but they will be bigger than your average gas station store, and have tons of weird, branded, delicious snacks for road trips. I'm sure california has some, considering the amount of tourism they get. There's got to be something like those places on the road to the nearby scenic areas. You could also just take note of things you think are interesting and then order them from a grocery store at (probably) half price or less.
Talking about nearby scenic areas, if you've never been to america before from britain, I would totally recommend a trip to death valley if you can swing it. It's a (very) long day trip, but if you hit it in november the drive there AND the valley itself are jaw-dropping. OOOH! AND! Go find the graffiti park! When I went to los angeles to see a relative, they took me there. It was a little climb around a broken fence (because it technically isn't a real park, or open to the public >.> ), and then the coolest little broken up area of coastline just covered in cool artwork and graffiti tags.
Loads of people have mentioned gas stations so I'll take a look thanks. I've got mobility issues (limited walking) is death valley doable? Even just part of it?
Death valley doesn't involve much walking if you don't want to. There are scenic overlooks as you drive into the valley, and a few places where you can get out of the car. When I went, it wasn't summer yet, but it was still too hot to walk around safely for any extended period. We went to the lowest point, where the salt barrens stretch away. It was eerie looking out at a landscape so alien with stark cliffs towering behind. We also got lucky because it was late spring and the valley had gotten rain, which made everything bloom in the parts where we drove into the park. I just remember the stark beauty of it all.
Seriously. It’s a dumpster fire of hatred and obesity.
This you?
Pick a lane.
I pity anyone who loves Vegas and still generalizes all Americans as fat and hateful. That’s pathetic.
You love the worst type of place that wastes resources but you still think everyone there is beneath you. That’s not a flex.
You are the type of person who goes to Dubai and says shit about the poor people there too. Gross!!
I heard it is no longer cheap in Vegas. Might want to take a look at prices before you go.
Oh don’t worry, I’ve been to Vegas many times and it’s not good.
There’s something wrong with anyone who loves Vegas but generalizes literally 100% of Americans as fat and hateful.
Maybe they’ve only been to Vegas, where they’re more likely to see fat angry drunk Americans than most other places.
You can think Vegas is fun and also think Americans are fat and hateful. These beliefs are not mutually exclusive.
Yuck. Glad I don’t run into you
It’s funny getting downvoted for arguing against boring generalizations.
I thought that was a Reddit thing, but here you are.
Is feddit.nl 100% douchebags? We’ll see!
Feelings mutual.
Whatever ICE serves in their detention centres.
Seriously, I'd be thinking thrice before going.
Not trying to be scaremongering here, but the chance they won't be returning is higher than I'd like.
Why the fuck would you come here? I would, love to leave but I own land and have 4 cats.
Depends on the state and city you’re going to, but you should absolutely try light Hispanic foods from a restaurant. Cubano sandwich (butter-carmelized onions and simple meats), fried plantains, churros, and nachos. If the restaurant looks too clean, none of these will be any good. And before someone says that a Cuban isn’t a snack, I don’t have a massive appetite and I can easily eat 2. They’re rarely filling
Oh that's an excellent tip thanks!
Oh dang, Cubanos take the Reuben to a-whole-nother level
It may depend where you are traveling from.
Packaged food:
Other food: On the west coast and other places: Taco trucks and Asian food.
In the north east: subs or hoagies (buffalo chicken cheesesteak), good cheep pizza, Amish farm stands (homemade baked goods, cheese, rootbeer)
On the east coast and the south: arguably there is somewhat of a gas station food culture (Wawa, Buc-ees, Sheetz, etc). Its not that interesting, but more novel than a McDonald's.
Hard second this, taco trucks are preem.
Sorry, what kind of weird Frankenstein monster is that?
If you are in Western NY State, get the chicken wings. If you are in Eastern PA, get the cheesesteak.
You certainly won't find it everywhere.
Stay safe, things aren't exactly great here
I'd say maybe icecream? There are some really good classic creameries here, but I don't really know whether locally made freshly churned icecream is also a thing in lots of other places 🤷♂️ NC state near me (a university) makes amazing icecream with their agriculture department
Most things that come to mind are food, and will depend on where you are. Here in NC pulled pork bbq would be a must (with regional variations in the style of sauce), just gotta find one of the good places that do it well. I'd try and learn a little about the food culture of where you're headed and see what sounds interesting if food stuff beyond snacks interests you
I just drove
1600 miles3200 miles and was perfectly safe everywhere I went. Saw zero violence anywhere.Including Baltimore and DC, 2 shit holes I refuse to live in or near.
Tell me you're white without telling me you're white
S’mores if you can get to a campfire for that authentic experience
Reese’s peanut butter cups
Cool ranch Doritos are addictive
Beef jerky
Also - this is food food, but it’d be a good time to visit a sports bar and get some buffalo wings! For some reason they’re always wrong when I get them abroad
Fried pickle chips.
Like, slices of pickle, lightly battered and fried.
Dip them in ranch dressing
Haha I'll eat at places i feel in intrepid danger thanks
I've had great food at places with bullet holes in the windows
(IIRC you're UK-based) Authentic Mexican foods, and other things that are hard to come by in the UK. I was a picky eater as a child and didn't care for it, but I spent my early childhood on RAF Feltwell hearing people wishing they could get good Mexican food.
For common american foods? Jerky, smoked meats (brisket 🤤), fried... everything.
Edit: food culture varies wildly based on region. Generally "what country colonized and/or immigrated to this area" and "what ingredients are readily available and cheap in this area".
Mexican is a great idea! I'd not thought of this till this thread
Where are you from? If you're from Europe, I suggest expanding beyond the normal US snacks into snacks brought to the US from Mexico like Fresas con Cremas.
Also Beavis & Butthead style gas station nachos with the fake cheese out of a pump is a US snack staple.
Also bar nachos are entirely different and usually much better than gas station nachos, so those are worth a shot as well.
Oh and get some Skittles since they are "Unfit for Human Consumption."
Mexican snacks, of course! I'd not thought of that thanks
Diners are an overlooked US staple, especially the one-offs, not the chains.
They aren't really about snacks, but they often have a baked goods case of deliciousness.
Definitely try some proper American breakfast, even if it’s just at Denny’s. You really don’t get anything like that in Europe.
Thanks for the tip I hit Denny's today! Solid breakfast
Glad you enjoyed it!
Now go find a local diner ;)
On the list!
I'm pretty sure that most packaged candy and stuff you can order online. Might cost something in shipping, but the world is smaller now.
I think I'd focus on prepared dishes that might be harder to find wherever you normally are.
It depends on what part of the country you'll be in. If it happens to be in the south, i highly recommend trying some authentic buttermilk biscuits with white gravy or chicken and waffles with a big ol' glass of sweet ice tea. Thats my favorite, for sure.
I've lived in the north, south, west and Midwest US so I may be able to give an honest recommendation.
I really would not come here atm but its gonna be hard to say without knowing where you are going. new york is not like la or chicago.
Depends on where. If bay area, Smitten Ice Cream. They make it with liquid nitrogen, so the ice crystals are impossibly fine; it's the smoothest ice cream I've ever had.
If Seattle, Un Bien is always a strong option for sandwiches. I worked at their prior shop as a teenager between terms.
I've been around the US a lot as a foodie, I can say more if I know what areas you plan on exploring!
Awesome I'm going to LA any tips?
Oh cool! So-Cal is the place to get tacos, of course. Anyplace that looks a little bit seedy that has a big lunch queue is going to have no wrong answers, but if you see quesabirria on the menu, get that (assuming you eat meat ofc). Don't skip the consomme, it's for dipping.
Looks like there's a place that does the liquid nitrogen schtick in LA now, Creamistry on Downey Ave. I don't think they were there last time I was in town. Maybe they give Smitten's a run for their money, would love to know your opinion!
Screenshotted this for future reference! Nice one thanks
I'm not from the area so can't give any actual spot suggestions. Like others have said, you owe it to yourself to try some authentic Mexican / Hispanic in general food. Same with Asian food, large diaspora there so you can get real authentic and delicious Chinese for scams.
Ask the people you're staying with or the staff where you stay what is good near them.
You asked what snacks to try - nothing you find in America snack wise will be good or better than wherever you're travelling from. Quintessential USA snacks though would be anything from lil Debbie or Hostess (twinkees and so forth), you might also find some novel candy if you look around.
Most of our snack stuff is highly processed garbage. It blows my mind how much higher quality the snacks are from overseas. My wife got my this snack box subscription that sends you treats from a different region around the world each month and it low-key makes me sad how much better the snack food is compared to our American trash.
That said, we have plenty of excellent and authentic ethnic food spots, especially in LA. Hope you enjoy yourself. I also would urge caution coming to the USA right now because of everything going on. If you can change your plans I'd say visit somewhere else for the next four years.
At the very least, I'd say pack a burner phone and if you bring any other electronics make sure they're clean installs and nothing on them except games or whatever work stuff. Don't come with a digital footprint, border agents can be dicks and they have way more authority than that should be granted and can just tell you to fuck off and deny entry. So don't fuck around.
Good tip on the food thanks! I'm white British so I don't think I'll have issues
LA is great for for variety! If you have 'Mexican' and it's not great don't give up. There's so much variety- tex mex, mex-mex, Baja, ...; and everyone does it a little differently. Second on the birria tacos!
If you like meat, try the regional differences in BBQ - West Coast tri-tip, Texas brisket, etc. pork/beef ribs, ...
Find something Cajun! I don't know if it's popular in other countries, but a great bowl of gumbo is a blast of flavor.
I had some root beer from a microbrewery on Route 1 that was incredible. I don't remember the place or if it's even still there, but microbrew root beer would be my personal suggestion!
Strawberry Shortcake - made with real buttermilk biscuits, real whipped cream (none of that canned shit!) and fresh strawberries with a light confectioners sugar glaze.
November is not the right season but my prefered variation is strawberries and pound cake with milk/cream poured over.
Oh hell's bells I've got to try that!
It sounds absolutely divine.
Shortcake and biscuits are two very different things.
You said you're going to los angeles, so one place you might try is the famous hot dog joint, because depending on your timing it will coincide with the ride to eat. I don't see anything posted for this year, so I'm hoping it doesn't get canceled due to slowly dwindling lack of interest.
If you are there the saturday before thanksgiving, you'll meet a ton of interesting characters with good stories, AND get the famous hot dogs!
Everyone else is mentioning food styles, but if snacks are what you're interested in, there are two places to hit up for sure. 1. There are two, but they're far, cracker barrel stores in the los angeles area. Go inside, marvel at the tchotchkes inside, and grab yourself a handful of whatever old-fashioned candies they have. I don't know of any other place that dedicates itself to old-fashioned candy like cracker barrel's little store, but maybe you could find cheaper and better within los angeles. Might be something to ask a local.
Talking about nearby scenic areas, if you've never been to america before from britain, I would totally recommend a trip to death valley if you can swing it. It's a (very) long day trip, but if you hit it in november the drive there AND the valley itself are jaw-dropping. OOOH! AND! Go find the graffiti park! When I went to los angeles to see a relative, they took me there. It was a little climb around a broken fence (because it technically isn't a real park, or open to the public >.> ), and then the coolest little broken up area of coastline just covered in cool artwork and graffiti tags.
Loads of people have mentioned gas stations so I'll take a look thanks. I've got mobility issues (limited walking) is death valley doable? Even just part of it?
Death valley doesn't involve much walking if you don't want to. There are scenic overlooks as you drive into the valley, and a few places where you can get out of the car. When I went, it wasn't summer yet, but it was still too hot to walk around safely for any extended period. We went to the lowest point, where the salt barrens stretch away. It was eerie looking out at a landscape so alien with stark cliffs towering behind. We also got lucky because it was late spring and the valley had gotten rain, which made everything bloom in the parts where we drove into the park. I just remember the stark beauty of it all.
Hey mate we've just got back from death valley! Proof...
We had a blast, the views are incredible. I'll remember it forever and I'd never have thought of it if you hadn't suggested it
That is awesome! I'm super happy you enjoyed it. That's a really awesome photo you took.
Thanks mate! Tbf the scenery is so gorgeous it's hard to take bad photos...
That sounds amazing, thanks for the suggestion I'd never have thought of it
Mate i talked to my friend and we're deffo doing Death Valley! She loved the idea thanks for the tip
Happy I helped in some small manner! Just be aware of that whole joke being applicable.
Purple sweet spicy Doritos
Also green spicy Doritos
Really depends where in the USA you’re going.
Potato chips in a bewildering variety of flavors.
Find an event labeled “Festival” or “Fair(e)”, try fried things that you haven’t had fried before.
Philadelphia: soft pretzels. Not from the chain place but they’re ok in a pinch. Bernie’s in Clifton Heights is worth the detour.
Chicago: hot dogs. There’s good hot dogs in many places. If you make hot dogs an event, though, do it in Chicago if you can.
Kettle corn. Can find good versions in lots of places. If they’re making it right there it’s better.
Funnel cake. It’s a fair or amusement park treat. Don’t order it unless you know they make it right there.
Festivals and fairs, of course!!
Also for Philly: authentic Philly cheesesteak.
Last time I was in America I really liked the Wendy's cheeseburgers.