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Some Really Great American Tastes
by Mark on 12/16/2006 (1) 
So what's a Great American taste? A Great American Taste is a unique blend of diverse cultural cuisine, molded, honed and refined as to take on a novel domestic identity all of its own. Here are some famous American Tastes, an indelible part of the Mass Consumption Americana culinary landscape that helps put the "home" in home.
Pepperoni Pizza: Arguably the best known Great American Taste, Pepperoni Pizza is a rich alchemy of spicy hot Pepperoni, Olive Oil, melted cheese, Italian spices and white wheat flour, baked to a crunchy golden goodness in special rotating ovens. While Italian in origin, the gentrified American version trends toward mild Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses and inconspicuous flavored oils. As much as a work of Pop Art as pie, the combined chemistry of Pepperoni Pizza is perfectly unique, and equally irresistible, copied with lesser or greater levels of success both in the laboratory and local Pizzerias worldwide.
The Classic Cheeseburger: Fabled in story and song, the legendary Cheeseburger owes its toothsome assemblage of flavors and textures to lean, spicy ground beef and creamy, mild American Cheese, all neatly stacked on a highly sculpted, finely molded, grabbable soft white wheat sesame bun. There are few combinations of seemingly disparate elements that achieve the harmonious, archetype Great American Taste like a Cheeseburger does. Add diced onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard, and the heady, savory olfactory experience alone can drive even the most Picayunish, snobbish gourmet to a local drive thru post haste. Add French Fries and a Vanilla Milk Shake, and you've got every street corner in the U.S.A. on a green garnished blue plate.
Fried Chicken: While widely consumed world over, the Americana version of fried chicken is usually spiced, dredged with flour, and fried in a pressure cooker, the added pressure making the meat fall-away-tender-from-the bones soft and juicy. Boneless Honey-BBQ coated versions of wings and breast strips are perhaps the nexus of high evolution in poultry preparation. Pack it all in a proprietary paper bucket, and don't...repeat don't...forget the biscuits and gravy!
Tacos and Burritos: Firmly Mexicali in origin, the American versions are often served in soft white wheat roll-ups, rather than crunchy corn shells, although both variants are widely consumed. Add seasoned meats, rice, beans, freshly diced vegetables and cooling sour cream, and you have a slick, portable package with a spicy South West flair. Don't forget the brightly fiesta colored wrapper and icy Cola!
The Humble Hot Dog: Somewhat of an enigma, sausage is enjoyed world wide, but the American version is as much metaphor as malarkey. Take finely ground meat, spice and salt, mold it into the shape of a weiner and nestle it in a ubiquitous, soft white wheat Daschund shaped bun, and you've got Comiskey Park and Coney Island right in the palm of your hand. Although widely regarded as ch
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