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American Cuisine
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American Cuisine - Savoury American Dishes
Where you go will determine what you eat to some extent, but regional boundaries are by no means definitive.
Look out for sloppy joes - a sort of beef burger covered in enough tomato sauce to make it hard to eat with dignity - and subway sandwiches that make British sandwiches look like finger food.
Deep South American Cuisine
If you're looking for American cuisine in the south, look out for grits, a sort of corn porridge which tastes better than it sounds and hoppin' johns, bowls of black-eyed peas, rice and bacon usually served with corn bread and collard greens (a vegetable similar to kale). No relation to the shoes, hush puppies are balls of fried corn bread, which sometimes contain onion and pepper.
South West American Cuisine
In you're hungry in Texas, you could take the 72 ounce steak challenge (free steak if you finish it within an hour!), and in the south western states there's plenty of Mexican-inspired food.
Mid-West American Cuisine
When in Chicago, try the deep-dish pizzas and elaborate hot dogs, which come with everything except ketchup.
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East Coast American CuisineOver in the east, there's the famous New York cheesecake and bagel and pretzel stands galore. Manhattan clam chowder, a vegetable broth with clams and tomatoes is also popular.
Surely we couldn't write a page on American cuisine without mentioning the mighty hamburger; more are eaten here than any other country in the world, which must make Ronald Macdonald very happy.
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Sweet Stuff in AmericaPies pop up all over the country: try pecan pie (a custard-type with pecan nuts), pumpkin pie (custard made from pumpkin and spices), sweet potato pie (sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, sugar and seasoning) and of course, good old American apple pie.
If you happen to be in America for Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), you're in for an american feast. Basically a very large Christmas dinner, it comes with wonderful extras such as pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Don't plan on moving for the rest of the day!
Drinking in America
Milkshakes, ice cream sodas, root beers are all common. Alcohol-wise, there's a lot more to America than Budweiser and Jack Daniels but remember the legal age for drinking alcohol in America is 21. Different states have different rules on buying it and consuming it - check, and carry ID with you.
Sample American cuisine for yourself on a gap trip to America!
Check out our American programmes below.
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America is an endless source of wonder and Real Gap has created numerous tours to let you experience what appeals to you most. Choose big cities, stunning national parks, the Deep South and much, much more!
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Help change people’s opinions of wolves and wolf dogs, and care for those that have been neglected and abused. Take the chance to to discover the attractions of rural New Mexico too. |
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Work on two different projects in the Golden State and get involved in activities such as salmon restoration, tree planting, trail reconstruction, building renovation and flood prevention. Perfect for those who want to work in the sun! |
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Help care for exotic animals such as leopards, tigers, bears, cougars and wolves, which have been abused, neglected or orphaned. You’ll stay in the sanctuary grounds, near stunning beaches and Everglades National Park. |
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Work with some of the rarest groups of gibbons - small, endangered apes. Through this project, you can get involved with all aspects of their care and efforts to keep them from extinction. |
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Take the trip of a lifetime through one of the most spectacular natural features on Earth. You’ll sail on a motorised raft, passing desert scenery and waterfalls and stopping off to explore the sights. |
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Do you want to work in the USA but you have no professional qualifications? Join the H2B visa programme to do seasonal work in the USA. Take one of our placements or find a job of your own. |
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Cultivate your interest in botany and nature on the paradisiacal Island of Kauai. You’ll help the flora thrive by carrying out tasks such as planting native species and clearing trials in the Hawaiian forests. |
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Work in the USA for 6, 12 or 18 months in your career field! You have the freedom to find your own job placement and work in the city of your choice! |
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Help protect some of America’s most beautiful lakes, mountains, deserts and national parks. You’ll build dry stonewalls and create trails that won’t spoil the scenery, and then camp under the stars at night!
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Calling all students! Get a paid job in the USA and earn money for up to 3 months, then travel. Choose one of our jobs in hospitality, sales, maintenance or another field or arrange your own. |
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Live ranch life to the full with activities such as horse riding, cattle gathering, branding, trail riding and ranch chores. Campfires and scenery straight from the big screen make it perfect for horse-loving travellers! |
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Undo some of the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. You’ll help rebuild the homes of people in a trailer park. Even if you don’t have building experience, you can still make a valuable difference. |
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Travel through the USA, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and India during an unforgettable gap year. Fit in volunteer placements, excursions, paid work opportunities, cultural activities and loads more – but also have time to do your own thing. |
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Experience our most popular programmes across three continents. Volunteer in Africa, work, travel and learn to surf in Australia, explore New Zealand and Fiji, and then go coast to coast across America.
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Work with orphaned, injured and often very cute wildlife! Bottle-feed fawns and take care of baby squirrels, baby opossums and many other creatures. You can also put any carpentry or mechanics knowledge to good use. |
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