19 American Dishes Or Food Customs That Actually Horrified Non-Americans When They Visited

Buzz Feed

27-03-2025

Recently, I asked non-Americans in the BuzzFeed Community about food customs here in the US that make them cringe, and ya'll did not hold back. From broccoli on pizza to the idea of "casseroles," foreigners are really scratching their heads about how we get down with our grub over here. Here are some of the standout critiques I read:
Note: Not all submissions are from the BuzzFeed Community. Some are from this Reddit thread.
1. "Alllllll the sugar. Toooooooo much sugar. In everything. Also, ranch dressing. I know some people like it, but honestly, I tried it, and it's so overrated!"
2. "That sweet potato with marshmallows casserole abomination immediately springs to mind. Just tasting it mentally is bad enough."
4. "Not a food per se, but your tipping culture is ridiculous. Essentially forcing people to tip a minimum of 20% because you're too backwards to pay people properly."
FOX
"Try telling that to the commenters on here who seem to think that not tipping in the US is akin to slaughtering your firstborn child as a sacrifice to Elon Musk's devilry. I know it's unlikely with Trump being in power, but the US, please catch up with the rest of the civilised world as quickly as you can and end your love affair with tipping culture (and while we're at it, change your abhorrent healthcare system also)."
— windowlicker
5. "Spray-on cheese. Your bread is so loaded with sugar that it's basically cake. Your mainstream beers are like sex in a canoe — fucking close to water. Although, there are some great microbreweries in the US that can help you balance things out. Your bacon is all fat and no meat. I much prefer English back bacon in that respect."
6. "Americans, I am concerned with your love of these so-called 'casseroles.' These baked abominations of canned things and fake cheeses. In fact, I urge you, brothers and sisters, to seek help."
— youwishyouwereme007
7. "Broccoli on a pizza! Really!?!"
8. "Brazilian here and respectfully, I'm scared by the amount of industrialized and ultra-processed things you eat. Everything comes in cans, jars, and pre-prepared packages."
"Here in Brazil, we don't have so many pre-prepared food options, and everything is expensive, so people tend to buy fresh ingredients and prepare everything from scratch. Yeah, fresh food here is cheaper. I think my stomach isn't used to it because if I eat noodles or any instant food that just needs to be heated in the microwave or something like that, I get sick."
— snowwitch
9. "I tried grits when I came to NYC. Just no. Why does it even exist??"
10. "Fruit salad and sweet tea. It's so weird that marshmallows and Cool Whip are in the salad. Can Americans not avoid eating sugar? Sweet tea is unbelievably too sweet. Even green tea is sweet. I'm from Japan, and green tea is never sweet."
11. "I can't believe Americans like drinks with ice. It confuses me!"
12. "German married to an American. The first time we visited his parents, they made a Miracle Whip salad with noodles and frozen peas. It was the first time I had sweet mayonnaise. It was very gross. They also made us grilled cheese sandwiches with 'American cheese'. I still don't know what 'American cheese' is, but it is not cheese."
13. "I'm a Canadian, so I've been exposed to so much American food/TV/Culture, etc. I'm still amazed at the differences in the food 'culture.' Massive, and I mean massive portions.
ABC Network
— imangryallthetime
14. "For revolting/horrified, Taco Bell. The most disgusting slop I've ever eaten."
— copperghoul948
15. "My mother came to the US from England when she married my American Air Force father in 1956. She was horrified at how Americans eat so many foods with their fingers. She died at the age of 95 recently, and still ate her fried chicken and pizza with a knife and fork!"
HBO
—Debbie, 66
16. "I moved to the states years ago and the first time I saw chicken and waffles, I was confused by this combo."
17. "Pop-Tarts. Tried them. Eww. Just sugary cardboard put in a toaster for breakfast. Very weird."
18. "Your fluorescent birthday cakes. I asked my mom if I could try one, and she told me, 'No way, you'll start glowing in the dark!'"
19. "Biscuits and gravy. To me it's sausage milk mush over scones."