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American cuisine · The most accessible table in the atlas: barbecue, diner eggs and a cuisine made of regions and immigrants.

American cuisine changes by valley, coast and capital. New Orleans is one node, not the whole map.

The meters treat heat, ferment, street density and sharing as the axes that actually organise meals.

Systems

New Orleans metro

A regional kitchen of American cuisine centred on New Orleans and Hamburger.

New York table

A regional kitchen of American cuisine centred on New York and Barbecue.

Austin table

A regional kitchen of American cuisine centred on Austin and New England clam chowder.

Chicago table

A regional kitchen of American cuisine centred on Chicago and Gumbo.

San Francisco table

A regional kitchen of American cuisine centred on San Francisco and Bagel and lox.

Region 5

Another regional kitchen of American cuisine.

Relative meters

48
Spice
58
Umami / ferment
70
Street density
55
Technique ceiling
96
Accessibility abroad
78
Price spread
Spice
Relative chili/pepper heat across the 32-cuisine atlas.
Umami / ferment
pickles / hot sauce / cheese as the savoury bass.
Street density
How much of American cuisine is eaten standing or on stools.
Technique ceiling
Craft depth from home pot to restaurant.
Accessibility abroad
How easily English-speaking cities already cook or buy it.
Price spread
Gap from street Hamburger to tasting-menu rooms.

Hotspots

New Orleans

A hotspot for Hamburger and the local pantry of American cuisine.

New York

A hotspot for Hamburger and the local pantry of American cuisine.

Austin

A hotspot for Hamburger and the local pantry of American cuisine.

Chicago

A hotspot for Hamburger and the local pantry of American cuisine.

San Francisco

A hotspot for Hamburger and the local pantry of American cuisine.

Materials

pickles / hot sauce / cheese

The savoury bass.

wheat / corn / potato

The meal starch.

Hamburger staples

The icon pantry.

Market produce

The daily vegetable and protein.

Regional pride in this cuisine is argued through Hamburger and Barbecue more than through a single official recipe.

Keep exploring

More in The Americas