American Food

Re #19, #20: For the most part, I stay away from buffet-type restaurants where the patron can return to take another helping of food at no additional cost; it makes me almost physically sick to see people piling food on their plates while they are still chewing the last of their first serving.

Yes, I think it's a fairly recent phenomenon; it used to be that restaurants served a meal that could be eaten by one person, but it seems that they now serve one that can provide a second meal as well if taken home in a "doggie bag."

True, true the proliferation of buffet dining. What is it with all those Chinese buffets? Those things are completely gross- heaps of fried stuff, thick 'n gross sauces, MSG galore. All over the US nowadays...

We choose to view those enormous restaurant portions as meals served "family style" and so order one main (most often a combination) with an extra plate. It's not uncommon for us to take home enough for a 3rd meal. While there might be a nominal "extra plate" charge in some restaurants, we find that meal splitting is usual enough that all wait-staff know just how to handle it.

'tis true the trend is now in UK/DQ - the amount served is far more important in many places (notably dining pubs/bars) than the quality.

OP,
Where are you from in the US?
I'd go for sth distinctive different - Cajun? How about crayfish, red beans & rice, or gumbo? Everything else is European or similar.
For sure, I wouldn't serve burgers and fries. Breaded chicken steak would look too much like KFC. God forbid!
You shouldn't fail with T-bone steak or bbq ribs (chickory flavoured). Ice tea for drink.
If it is a buffet you can add meatloaf too, but not as a main course. Applesauce should be available in the supermarket
JD wouldn't be wrong either.

ham, mac n cheese (no not that stuff w/the yellow dust out of a box, either!), and stringbeans. Lemon meringue pie for dessert tho that may be too much yellow food for any eye to bear...

It all sounds ghastly. You wouldn't think that typical food in the US would be that different from Australia, but it is.

I was in the US in 1996 and constantly had cravings for fresh produce and salads, but the worst thing was the breakfasts. Cakes/pastries or fried foods. Horrible first thing in the morning. Give me homemade muesli, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt any day.

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<hr>Give me homemade muesli, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt any day. <hr></blockquote>
There are some troublesome people in the US that eat those foods, are they all Aussies?

Did someone force you to eat those cakes/pastries, Oonks? Fresh fruit, muesli, yogurt as well as salads are widely available if you want them.

There's a wide range of foods available in the U.S.. The suggestions made by some of us to the OP can be characterized as "regional specialties" or "family favorites" that represent only a small part of the spectrum of U.S. cuisine.

Where's poster unvraiblareau when we need him? He has written a thesis on Regional American Food.

#23 -- What's DQ?