Take him to Cheesecake Factory and Silver Diner. We have hosted au pairs for years and this is how to check the box of instagrammable American food.

Besides all the things mentioned:

Bagels and cream cheese
Black and white cookies
Roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe
Spaghetti with meatballs and New York sty le pizza (Italian American stuff)
Chinese American food - cream cheese wontons, General Tso chicken, beef and broccoli

Anonymous wrote:I would nake a really good chili—there’s a delicious aka not health food recipe on the internet somewhere called “The Great One’s Chili” that supposedly originated with Jackie Gleason that feels v American but I’m sure the same could be said of a Pioneer Woman’s version. Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onion, cornbread or corn chips and sour cream on the side. Perfect this time of year.

Otherwise I really think it depends on your region. I grew up in Philly and would take him on a visit home from where we are in MoCo for a Dalessandro’s cheesteak or a DiNic’s roast pork sandwich but that’s just me.

Jewish delis are mostly an American phenomena. There are a few in the local area, but Baltimore, Philly, New York, and parts of New Jersey are perhaps more authentic.

Anonymous wrote:My family lives abroad and they always ask for Trader Joe's snacks. My nephew really likes those Chili lime chips. Letting a kid go nuts at Trader Joe's would be fine.

I can heartily recommend those chips. I am sure they are terrible for you.

This weekend is your chance to introduce the kid to the most American of American cultural phenomena -- the Super Bowl. Everything from the game, the commercials, the halftime spectacular, to the "game-day" foods is peak American. A spread with buffalo wings (must have the celery and blue cheese to go with), nacho cheese dip or 7-layer dip + tortilla chips, mozzarella sticks + marinara, pigs in a blanket, cheesesteaks/hoagies... it's very American, weird to foreigners, and kind of tick-tocky gross in an unlhealthy/processed food sort of way. A friend has had au-pairs over the years who have really gotten a kick out of the Super Bowl and appreciated its "Americanness".

Just eat what you normally eat.. that's the best way.

Anonymous wrote:All my European friends get excited about American style pancakes if they're visiting. Pancakes in Europe are closer to crepes.

We had French visitors over the summer and they went WILD over pancakes, especially blueberry and chocolate chip.

Cook's Illustrated meatloaf with green beans and mashed potatoes. Peanut butter cookies for dessert

https://frugalhausfrau.com/2015/04/19/cooks-illustrated-meatloaf-a-favorite/

Anonymous wrote:OP did any of the thread ideas resonate with you? I saw plenty of good ideas that aren't "junk."

I'm surprised any exchange students would make fun of our food when there's plenty of other fodder in the news. I would assume he has good intentions and is a typical indecisisive teenager.

Honestly, it feels like OP started this thread so SHE could insult American food.

I would nake a really good chili—there’s a delicious aka not health food recipe on the internet somewhere called “The Great One’s Chili” that supposedly originated with Jackie Gleason that feels v American but I’m sure the same could be said of a Pioneer Woman’s version. Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onion, cornbread or corn chips and sour cream on the side. Perfect this time of year.

Otherwise I really think it depends on your region. I grew up in Philly and would take him on a visit home from where we are in MoCo for a Dalessandro’s cheesteak or a DiNic’s roast pork sandwich but that’s just me.

My family lives abroad and they always ask for Trader Joe's snacks. My nephew really likes those Chili lime chips. Letting a kid go nuts at Trader Joe's would be fine.