When it comes to American cuisine, no introduction needs to be made as it’s the most recognised cuisine in the world.
Known for being fast and greasy, American food is best known by their widespread fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Hardee’s, KFC and more. Burgers, fries, pizzas, hot dogs, steaks, pancakes, cupcakes, donuts and waffles are all-time favourites for people all around the world – and all can be found here in Qatar.
But first, here are some popular Americans dishes you should know about (can or cannot be found in Qatar):
Buffalo wings or Buffalo chicken wings are generally deep-fried, unbreaded, and coated in vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter. They are traditionally served hot and spicy or in BBQ sauce, served either with or without bones, along with celery sticks and/or carrot sticks with blue cheese dip.
Also known as ‘mac and cheese‘, macaroni and cheese is a popular American comfort dish with British origins and can also be found in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It consists of cooked macaroni pasta and cheese, most commonly Cheddar cheese, though it can also incorporate other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, meat and vegetables.
Meatloaf is a dish of ground meat mixed with other ingredients, formed into a loaf shape, then baked or smoked. The loaf shape is formed by either cooking it in a loaf pan, or forming it by hand on a flat baking pan. Meatloaf is usually made from ground beef, although lamb, pork, veal, venison, poultry and seafood are also used.
Served as street food or fast food, a corn dog is a hot dog sausage coated in a thick layer of cornmeal batter on a stick. Corn dogs may be eaten plain or with a variety of condiments, with mustard being the most popular.
Philly cheese steak is acheese steak sandwich, which is a popular American fast food, originating from Philadelphia, thus the name Philly cheese steak. It’s made from thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.
Cornbread is a common bread in American cuisine, particularly associated with the South and Southwest, as well as being a traditional staple for populations where wheat flour was more expensive. In some parts of the South, it is crumbled into a glass of cold milk or buttermilk and eaten with a spoon, and it is also widely eaten with barbecue and chili con carne. In parts of the southern and southwestern US, cornbread, accompanied by pinto beans, has been a common lunch for many people. It is still a common side dish, often served with homemade butter, chunks of onion or scallions. Cornbread crumbs are also used in some poultry stuffings; cornbread stuffing is particularly associated with Thanksgiving turkeys.
Chicago-style pizza refers to several styles of Chicago’s pizza. The most popular of these is the deep-dish pizza, which is originally Italian, specifically Naples. Baked in a specialised, round pan resembling the type used for baking a cake (typically 1 1/2 inches deep (3.1cm), the deep dish pizza is made deep and piled high, filling a tall buttery crust with either meat, cheese, tomato and authentic Italian spices.
One of the most popular sandwiches in America is the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, also known as PB&J, which includes a layer of peanut butter and either jelly or jam on bread, commonly between two slices of bread, but sometimes eaten open-faced or with one slice folded over. Some Americans prefer only peanut butter sandwiches without jelly or jam. The sandwiches are most popular amongst school students.
A banana split is an ice cream-based dessert. In its classic form, it is served in a long dish called a boat. A banana is cut in half lengthwise and laid in the dish with scoops of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream served in a row between the split banana. Pineapple, strawberry and chocolate sauces are spooned over the strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream and garnished with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherry.
Pies: pecan, apple and key lime
Usually served at holiday meals and considered a specialty of Southern America, pecan pie is made primarily with corn syrup and pecan nut, and may include white or brown sugar, sugar syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey. Chocolate and bourbon whiskey are other popular additions to the recipe. Pecan pie is usually served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
The official state pie of Florida, the key lime pie is made of key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk in a pie crust. The traditional Conch version uses the egg whites to make a meringue topping.
Apple pie is a fruit pie in which the principal filling ingredient is apple, usually served with whipped cream or ice cream on top.
In addition to the following international American fast food chains, which are widespread across Qatar:
- Burger King
- Dairy Queen (DQ)
- Domino’s Pizza
- Exit55
- Hardee’s
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
- McDonald’s
- Monkey Burger
- Pizza Hut
- Papa John’s Pizza
- Subway
- The Rare Burger
- Wendy’s
…here are Marhaba Picks: American restaurants to try in Doha (in no particular order):
- Applebee’s, Multiple locations | 4442 7753 (Suhaim bin Hamad Street), 4493 4880 (City Centre-Doha)
- Benningan’s, Khalifa Stadium Complex and Souq Al Wakra | 4483 8700
- Buffalo’s Cafe, Ezdan Mall | 4444 5204
- Burgeri, Aspire Park | 4449 3958
- Chili’s, Multiple locations | 4444 5335 (Ramada), 4411 5848 (City Center-Doha), Hyatt Plaza 44863356, 4463 3474 (Al Wakra), 4472 8719 (Al Khor), 4427 3397 (Lagoona Mall)
- Electric Diner, The Ned Doha | 4406 1111
- Elevation Burger, Parcel 2, The Pearl Island | 4495 3876
- Fatburger, Madina Centrale in The Pearl Island, Aspire Zone, Sealine | 4029 9999 (The Pearl Island)
- Five Guys, Doha Festival City and Al-Mana Towers | 4006 4781, fiveguys.qa
- Fuddruckers, Khalifa Stadium Complex |4483 3983
- Just Burger, Unit 267, Pearl 11, The Pearl Island | 4015 0180
- Johnny Rockets, Salwa Road and Hyatt Plaza | 4455 2792 (Salwa Road), 4460 4210 (Hyatt Plaza)
- Lord of the Wings, Medina Centrale, The Pearl Island | 4417 4366
- Meatsmith, Medina Centrale, The Pearl Island | 5053 1111
- Malibu Kitchen, The Ned Doha | 4406 1111
- Ponderosa, Al Hilal, Al Asiri and West Bay | 4465 5880 or 4483 7427
- Prime Steakhouse, InterContinental Doha The City | 4015 8888
- Public House Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha | 4035 5011
- Ric’s Kountry Kitchen, Al Emadi Financial Square | 4443 7846, ricskountrykitchendoha.com
- Shake Shack, Villaggio Mall and Mall of Qatar | 4413 5395 (Villaggio Mall), 4452 9539 (Mall of Qatar )
- Ted’s American Diners, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara | 4040 5116
- TGI Friday’s, Multiple locations | 4486 6602
- The Royal Oak, Mansour Park Inn Hotel | 5027 6276
- Vine, The St. Regis Doha Hotel | 4446 0105
- New York Steakhouse, Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel | 4419 6100
Author: Ola Diab
Copyright © Marhaba Information Guide. Reproduction of material from Marhaba Information Guide’s book or website without written permission is strictly prohibited. Using Marhaba Information Guide’s material without authorisation constitutes as plagiarism as well as copyright infringement.