1

Chimichangas

Image: Pedro Gil

What do you mean it’s not a Mexican dish? The name sounds Mexican!" While two Mexican-American restaurants—one in Tucson and the other in Phoenix—dispute the authorship of this dish, one thing is certain: it originated in the United States, more specifically in Arizona .

Today, chimichangas— a stuffed burrito fried in oil or butter —are one of America’s favorite dishes. And although they could never have existed without the culinary influence of our southern neighbor, we also had a lot to do with their creation.

2

Chop suey

Image: Albert Stoynov

There are many theories about the origin of this popular dish, but one of the most widespread is particularly intriguing. According to lore, chop suey was invented in 1896 by the cook of the Chinese ambassador to the United States . Apparently, the diplomat, who was hosting a dinner for American guests, instructed the chef to prepare a dish that would appeal to both Eastern and Western palates.

While there is no dispute that similar dishes exist in Asian cuisine, this particular moment of cultural and culinary exchange is said to have sparked the American public's fascination with Asian flavors . Soon after, Chinese restaurants began to proliferate across the country, with chop suey as their signature dish.

3

Russian dressing

Image: Rachel Claire

Did you know that nobody in Russia has ever seasoned their salad with Russian dressing? It doesn't exist there! This popular condiment is a completely American invention. It’s believed to have been created by a New Hampshire butcher in the early 20th century , who originally called it "Russian mayonnaise." Interestingly, he had no known ties to Russia, so it is unclear why he chose that name.

Perhaps the answer lies in one of the dressing’s original ingredients: black caviar, one of Russia’s most famous exports . Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know the full story. One thing is certain, though—Russian dressing was born in the United States!

4

Chili con carne

Image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1545433243-0a87e3fed9b4?q=80&w=1470&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D

Okay, chili may sound like a traditional Mexican dish, but this meaty version, chili con carne , was actually created in South Texas in the late 19th century . Not only did it feature added animal protein, but one of the key ingredients often associated with chili today—beans—was originally left out.

Chili con carne quickly became a national favorite. Families across the country began experimenting with their own versions, and soon, nearly every state had its own take on the dish . But nothing quite compares to the original Texan chili—the one that started it all!

5

Fortune cookies

Image: hannahlouise123

If you asked someone where fortune cookies come from, they’d probably say China. After all, they’re the quintessential treat served at Chinese restaurants around the world. But surprisingly, fortune cookies were invented in the United States —and they’re not even Chinese !

They were first created in the early 20th century in San Francisco , one of the American cities with the largest Asian immigrant populations. Even more surprisingly, they were invented by a Japanese man as a gesture of gratitude to the mayor who had hired him as a designer. He was inspired by a Kyoto tradition called omikuji , which involves offering a treat that contains a random fortune written on a slip of paper.

After World War II, many Chinese entrepreneurs took over Japanese bakeries in the Bay Area, helping to spread the cookie's popularity—and contributing to the common misconception about their origin.

6

Cuban sandwich

Image: Conor Brown

Despite its name, the Cuban sandwich originated in the Cuban-American communities of Ybor City, Key West , and Plant City , Florida , in the early 20th century. It later became popular in Miami and other American cities with large Cuban populations.

Interestingly, the ingredients vary from place to place. What all versions share, however, is Cuban bread —similar to a French baguette but made with slightly different ingredients and a unique baking method. So, is this bread authentically Cuban? Not exactly. It was actually created alongside the sandwich, right here in the United States!

7

German chocolate cake

Image: BraggsDiner

Despite its name, German chocolate cake has no culinary ties to Germany, nor is it named in honor of the country. In fact, it takes its name from Samuel German , a confectioner who, in the mid-1850s, developed a type of baking chocolate for the Baker's Chocolate Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

A century later, a recipe using German’s Sweet Chocolate appeared in the Dallas Morning News and became an instant hit among homemakers. Before long, Baker's Chocolate sales soared, marking a strong comeback for German's baking bar. Today, German chocolate cake is an American classic —and now you know its true origin!

8

Spaghetti and meatballs

Image: Ivy Farm

You probably thought this dish was authentically Italian your whole life. Well, we hate to break it to you, but spaghetti and meatballs are a hundred percent American invention, though it is, to be fair, a product of early 20th-century Italian immigration.

Meatballs were likely inspired by Italian polpette , a stew made of small balls of breadcrumbs mixed with meat or fish. However, in the Old World, polpette was never served with pasta and marinara sauce; it was a dish on its own. When Italian immigrants discovered how easy it was to buy beef in America, they began incorporating it into many dishes. And thank goodness they did!

9

Garlic bread

Image: Mariana Kurnyk

Another food with Italian influences but created in the United States is garlic bread. A staple of Italian restaurants, this side dish was introduced by immigrants who were likely trying to emulate the famous bruschetta .

However, they ran into an obstacle that led to the invention of something totally new—but just as delicious. Olive oil, so abundant in the mother country, was scarce and difficult to obtain in America. Therefore, they resorted to an ingredient found in abundance here: butter . And the rest is history!

10

Vichyssoise

Image: Julia Kicova

With such a name, you might think this dish is purely French! Well, not exactly. Although it was created by a French-born chef, it was first made in Manhattan, New York. In 1917, feeling a bit homesick for his homeland, Louis Diat, head chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, wanted to recreate a potato and leek soup his mother used to make when he was growing up in Montmarault, France.

But there was a problem: it was summer. Finally, he came up with a brilliant idea—to thin down the hot soup with cold milk and cream . He named his invention after Vichy, the famous spa town near his hometown. The dish was an instant hit among the restaurant’s guests, who soon asked for it to be available year-round.

1

Captain Tony's Saloon

Image: Nicolas Hoizey

Key West, Florida, is home to one of America's best-known bars: Captain Tony's Saloon. This mythical bar is not only famous for its drinks; it has a quirk that sets it apart from others. It's said to be haunted.

The building housing the bar today was built in the 19th century as a morgue. In 1865, a hurricane hit the area, taking everything in its path, including what was inside the morgue, if you know what we mean. Legend has it that the spirits, fueled by anger, remained to haunt the place for eternity. Decades later, a chilling discovery was made. During renovations, workers unearthed something macabre beneath the structure: bones.

For centuries and continuing to this day, different types of paranormal activity have been reported on the site, including cold spots, whispers, and even sightings of apparitions.

2

The Mothman

Image: David Clode

No one can deny that the 1960s was a tumultuous decade. But, in addition to the social and political issues that dominated the country and the world, West Virginia also witnessed a paranormal story.

In the mid-60s, a group of people claimed to have spotted a humanoid creature with large wings and red eyes silently watching them from a distance in remote areas of Point Pleasant. This story gave rise to the Mothman myth.

After the initial reports, more sightings followed, each more disturbing than the last. But what really makes your skin crawl is the detail most of these accounts share: the Mothman's creepy stare.

3

The Bell Witch

Image: Freestocks

If we discuss celebrity ghosts, we can't forget the Bell Witch, one of America's most famous specters.

The myth, which dates back to the early 19th century, tells the story of the Bell family, who lived on a farm in Tennessee. Legend has it that they began hearing strange noises in their home, and the spooky phenomena quickly increased. Objects moved on their own, and voices seemed to speak directly to the family. The spirit, later known as the Bell Witch, is said to have haunted the Bells for years, and even after the family members' passing, similar episodes continued to be reported at the site.

4

Dudleytown

Image: Adisa F

There is a valley in northwestern Connecticut that hides several spooky stories. Known as the Dark Entrance Forest, this area of "The Constitution State" is much more than just a scary name.

Located there lies an abandoned settlement: the mythical Dudleytown. The area was already inhabited by some people back in the early 1700s. Sadly, as the land wasn't fertile, the population declined. But it seems that was not the only reason.

It's said that the settlement was cursed: crop failures, diseases, and different types of paranormal events took place here. According to legend, the first inhabitants were descendants of an English nobleman accused of treason who fled to America and brought the curse with them.

5

Huggin' Molly

Image: Steinar Engeland

According to the people of Abbeville, Alabama, a famous specter haunts the streets, terrifying both children and adults —though she seems to have a particular preference.

We're talking about Huggin' Molly, a ghostly figure of a woman around 7 feet tall, dressed in a long black gown. She is known for letting out bloodcurdling screams in the night while she haunts children. The myth goes that if the ghost catches a child, she hugs them so tightly that it feels like suffocation.

The legend has persisted for centuries, and many claim to have seen or heard the figure of Huggin' Molly up close.

6

The Headless Horseman

Image: Dawid Tkocz

Washington Irving's 1820 short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," gave popularity to this ghostly figure. The Headless Horseman is depicted as a specter who rides through the night in search of his lost head. According to Irving's story, he was a soldier who died tragically, and his spirit wanders at night unable to find peace.

Over the years, many people have claimed to have seen the Headless Horseman or heard the sound of his horse's hooves in the Sleepy Hollow area.

7

Qalupalik

Image: Nsey Benajah

Huggin' Molly is not the only scary figure that terrifies children. In Arctic shorelines, more precisely off the coasts of Alaska and northern Canada, a creature that doesn't seem to be from this world is said to be roaming shallow waters.

We're talking about the Qalupalik, marine cryptids that resemble mermaids, those half-fish, half-human creatures from ancient mythologies.

According to lore, Qalupalik have long hair, fishtails, fins on their head, back, and arms, and webbed hands and feet. Legend has it that they emit a humming sound to warn those who stray too close to the water, as they search for human prey with a favorite target: children.

8

Sasquatch

Image: Francois Brill

The Pacific Northwest is the main stage for the legendary Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot. This iconic ape-like figure, said to inhabit forests and mountainous areas, is characterized by its enormous size, giving rise to its name.

The myth has its roots in Native American folklore. Different native cultures tell similar stories about a large, monstrous, hairy, big-footed creature that appears in the wild at night and emits terrifying sounds. As if all this weren't enough, a detail makes it even scarier: it stands and walks on two legs.

In the 20th century, the myth gained strength after reports of huge, unexplained footprints in the Pacific Northwest.

9

The Jersey Devil

Image: Igam Ogam

If you've been to New Jersey (and even if you haven't), you've probably heard of the creepy Jersey Devil.

This infamous tale originated during the 18th century in the mysterious Pine Barrens. According to myth, a woman cursed her 13th child, who then transformed into a devilish creature with bat wings, hooves, and a goat's head.

Over the centuries, there have been multiple reports of strange winged creatures and chilling shrieks through the Pine Barrens. But it all escalated dramatically in the early 20th century when a wave of consecutive sightings triggered what was dubbed "The Jersey Devil Panic."

10

The Flatwoods Monster

Image: James Kovin

According to the story, in the 1950s, a strange rumbling sound was followed by a bright light in the sky, which reportedly came from an object that eventually landed near Flatwoods, West Virginia. When a group of people approached the scene, they were shocked by what they found. It was a tall, monstrous figure with an elongated head, glowing eyes, and a body that seemed to be encased in metal.

Investigators suggest that the light in the sky could have been a meteor, and the glowing eyes described by witnesses were likely those of a common owl. However, many people claimed to have seen this strange creature of totally unknown origin.

1

Federal Style

Image: Khay Edwards

It emerged after the American Revolution. The Federal style gave the young nation its first distinctly American architectural voice. You can recognize it for its symmetry, fanlights above doors, delicate columns, and Palladian windows.

Famous examples include the Massachusetts State House in Boston and early townhouses in Washington, D.C.

2

Greek Revival

Image: Wilmer Olano

The U.S. Capitol is a hallmark example of the Greek Revival style. In the early 19th century, Americans embraced this design as a symbolic nod to democracy , borrowing the grandeur of ancient temples.

Tall Doric or Ionic columns, triangular pediments, and white-painted façades became common in courthouses and banks.

3

Gothic Revival

Image: Joseph Barrientos

Pointed arches, steep gables, and intricate wooden trim turned homes and churches into miniature medieval castles. The Gothic Revival style brought a romantic, storybook quality to American landscapes in the mid-1800s.

New York’s Trinity Church is a famous example of this style’s grandeur.

4

Italianate

Image: Nikhil Mistry

By the mid-1800s, Italianate houses became a staple in American cities, drawing from the romantic look of Italian villas. They feature low-pitched or flat roofs, wide eaves with ornate brackets, and tall arched windows.

San Francisco’s "Painted Ladies" rowhouses are iconic examples. This style was rooted in European design, but it flourished in the U.S. as an urban favorite for middle-class families.

5

American Craftsman

Image: Sieuwert Otterloo

Born from the Arts and Crafts movement, the Craftsman style celebrated simplicity , natural materials, and honest workmanship. Low-pitched gabled roofs, exposed beams, wide porches, and built-in furniture became trademarks.

Pasadena’s Gamble House is one of the best-known examples.

6

American Foursquare

Image: Praswin Prakashan

Practical and no-nonsense, the American Foursquare dominated neighborhoods from the 1890s through the 1930s. Its hallmark was a simple boxy shape with four rooms per floor, a wide front porch, and a hipped roof with a central dormer.

Chicago and Midwestern towns saw countless examples rise quickly thanks to mail-order kits from Sears. It became the quintessential "everyman’s house."

7

Prairie School

Image: WOKANDAPIX

Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries pioneered the Prairie School, reshaping American architecture at the turn of the 20th century. Its designs emphasized horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, open interiors, and harmony with the landscape.

Wright’s Robie House in Chicago is a textbook example. The style was deeply tied to the Midwest, reflecting its wide, flat horizons.

8

Mission Revival

Image: Jim Witkowski

Inspired by California’s Spanish missions , Mission Revival emerged in the late 19th century with stucco walls, red tile roofs, arches, and bell towers. Iconic examples include the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, and numerous railway hotels in the Southwest.

It became especially popular in California and the Southwest for homes and public buildings.

9

Art Deco

Image: William Wachter

Though the Art Deco style was born in France, some of the world’s most famous representative buildings stand in America. The details of New York’s Chrysler Building are a clear example, with sleek, geometric forms, vertical emphasis, and stylized ornamentation.

The Empire State Building and the Miami Art Deco District are other remarkable examples.

10

Ranch

Image: Brian Wangenheim

The Ranch style spread across postwar suburbs, focused on casual, single-story living with long, low profiles and open floor plans. Large windows and sliding glass doors connected indoor spaces to backyards.

Classic examples appear throughout California, such as Eichler homes in the Bay Area.