Unusual American Foods That Some People Just Can’t Stomach

No folks, that’s not a group of deep-sea monsters from a horror movie! These things are called geoducks — clams that can be found along America’s West Coast. The eye-catching growth shooting out of the shell is the creature’s siphon, and that’s the part that restaurants prepare. Usually, the meat is served as sashimi, but it can be cooked with veggies as well. Would you try it?

Listen, if you’re up for trying this iconic Hawaiian dish, we suggest not having a big breakfast. The loco moco really lives up to its name, which literally means "crazy burger." It’s a towering celebration of Hawaiian cuisine, with multiple layers of rice, hamburger patties, and fried eggs. Let’s not forget tons — and we mean tons — of gravy. Godspeed!

At first glance, Eskimo ice cream looks like a simple berry dessert. It certainly explains the color. But there’s much more to it than that... In addition to the fruit, this Alaskan staple includes snow, polar bear fat, and seal oil. We wonder how many people have turned down a scoop after discovering the ingredients! Would you?

It goes without saying that you should stay away from dangerous snakes. Why take the risk? But at the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup event, participants get up close and personal with the poisonous creatures. And the ones that are caught are then served as deep-fried snacks to the people in attendance in Sweetwater, Texas. Would you turn down a crispy fried snake?

Regardless of how delicious they may be, lots of folks can’t get past the unappetizing appearance of frog legs. And we can’t blame them! The dish just looks... odd. But still, it’s been a staple in the U.S. for around 100 years now, with Michigan taking a particular liking to it. The legs can also be prepared in several ways, so you’ve got choices if you decide to try them.

Turducken is a true culinary chimera. It’s crazy! This Thanksgiving Frankenstein creation is a turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with a chicken — hence the name. The idea first appeared in 1987’s The Prudhomme Family Cookbook, but NFL icon John Madden is often credited with popularizing the dish by talking about it during Thanksgiving football games in the ’90s.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? It’s the perfect snack. Yet that adoration isn’t limitless when it comes to certain combos. For instance, chocolate-covered grasshoppers are indeed a thing in parts of Colorado. We’re serious! The bizarre candy does have its fans, but the thought of eating bugs is sure to put many people off. How about you?

Want to know why provel cheese is so divisive? Well, the ingredients are a bit of a giveaway. The dairy product is composed of Swiss, mild cheddar, and provolone cheese. Oh, and there’s some liquid smoke in the mix, too. The flavor’s unique, to say the least! And now, it’s one of the key components of “St. Louis-style pizza.” You’ll either love it or hate it.

An Alabama favorite, ambrosia salad is unlike most side dishes out there today. Why’s that? Simple — just look at the ingredients. The bowls contain fruit such as oranges, bananas, and grapes, as well as whipped cream and marshmallows. Yes, you’re reading that correctly. It’s a strange mix. Mind you, we’d probably still try it if given the chance. Are you in the same boat?

We hope you’re not squeamish, folks. This next entry could really test your stomachs! Yes, Scrapple was created in Pennsylvania a long time ago, and it’s essentially a pork dish. But the ingredients can range from the animal’s vital organs to its head. The skin can be used, too. Oof. Nothing goes to waste here. Cornmeal makes up the rest of it.

For our money, few other meals in the United States are as striking as Maryland’s snow crab legs. They look wild! As for the meat’s flavor, it is a bit of an acquired taste, with sauce or butter dips getting served as a side. Yet the imposing appearance of the legs alone might be too much for some to even try the fishy dish.

If you’ve ever visited the southern states, then you’re sure to have seen chitlins on various restaurant menus. They certainly look interesting, but you could very well be put off from trying them after pulling back the curtain. You see, chitlins are actually pieces of a pig’s small intestine. The organ is painstakingly cleaned before it gets cooked, ahead of being fried.

Yep, restaurants in Hawaii and Texas serve beef tongue to curious customers. You learn something new every day, right? The tough chunks of meat are prepared in a tasty sauce that includes celery, onions, carrots, and beef stock before reaching the plate. If you can get past its rather off-putting appearance, the tongue is said to be pretty darn good. Fancy trying it?

Are we the only ones getting an Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom vibe from this insane dish? It’s jaw-dropping! The brain sandwich is a truly bizarre meal found in the Hoosier State, made from the gray matter of pigs. It’s usually cooked in a deep-fat fryer, and boasts a nut-like flavor. Could you take a bite out of one?

Ah, hot dogs. One of America’s favorite summer bites. Up in Alaska, though, a different kind of meat is sometimes used when putting the "dog" together — reindeer. It’s a big hit in the state, with an old stand in Anchorage adding another unique ingredient to the mix. Yes, onions soaked in Coca-Cola were placed in the buns as well if you fancied them. Now that's the American dream.

Do you like fishy meals? If so, here’s an intriguing dish to consider trying from North Dakota. Lutefisk is created when dried cod gets marinated in lye, softening the meat in the process. Then, it’s dropped in boiling water and plated with a helping of white sauce or butter. It won’t win many culinary beauty contests, but the taste gets a thumbs-up.

Nope, we’re not pulling your leg here — or foot! Pickled pigs feet are indeed sold in large jars throughout America’s southern states. To say they’re eye-catching would be an understatement. But you’ve got to work for the meat in each portion. Unsurprisingly, there’s lots of gristle and fat to contend with before reaching it. The taste is said to be worth the effort, though.

If you can get past how truly bizarre this Louisiana snack is, fried alligator is actually meant to be quite good for you. The meat is full of nutrients, and an overall healthier choice than stuff such as French fries. Wow! In most cases, the gator pieces receive a dash of pepper and salt, and are plated up with a spicy sauce.

On looks alone, burgoo won’t get many hearts racing. In fact, it’s more likely to turn a few stomachs! But as the old saying goes, you should never judge a book by its cover. As it turns out, this Kentucky favorite packs a lot of flavor. It’s a meaty stew that can be cooked up using pork, beef, and chicken, alongside a host of veggies.

We love the name muktuk — it’s just so fun to say! Mind you, there are some who won’t be quite so chipper when they find out what it is. This Alaskan food consists of spices, onions, capers, and whale blubber and skin. It’s also served raw, similar to sushi. Would you try it? Muktuk is said to be healthy, so there’s no harm in taking a bite.

Looking at the name, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking that Rocky Mountain oysters are a type of mollusk. What else could they be? Well, we’ve got some news for you... and you might not like it. As it turns out, this Colorado favorite is actually a deep-fried serving of pig or bull testicles. Is anyone else wincing, or is it just us?

While plenty of outlandish ice cream flavors have popped up across the years, this one takes the cake. Potato ice cream is in fact made with the adaptable veggie, alongside vanilla extract, milk, and sugar. It has proven itself to be a big hit in Idaho, despite how weird the mix is. You up for getting a scoop? Let us know what you think.

We don’t know about you, but we’ve never seen a snack like this before. Fried butter? We’re still in shock. The oddity was first created in Iowa, and it’s pretty simple to make. Cooks just roll out a butter ball before covering it in batter and dropping it in a deep-fat fryer. It’s certainly one to avoid if you’re on any kind of diet... or care about your health at all.

Yes folks, as wild as it sounds, you can eat muskrat. A lot of people in Maryland love the meat, dropping it in various casseroles, stews, and soup. Still not sold? Well, the critter contains its fair share of protein, while its cholesterol and fat measurements are extremely low. So, a few servings could actually improve your health going forward.

Have you ever looked at a pig’s ears and thought about eating them? No? Don’t worry — plenty of us haven’t, either. But the porky ears are available to snack on around South Carolina. The ears are cooked in an oily frying pan, only coming out when they’re especially crispy. Apparently, the fried nibbles go brilliantly with a hot sauce dip.

Who’d have thought that beer and cheese could go together to create an intriguing soup? We didn’t see it coming. In Wisconsin, this unlikely combination is a real winner for the locals, with spices thrown into the mix to round off its flavor. It’s said to be very tasty, so don’t be afraid to order a bowl if you’re visiting the Badger State.

Stuffies aren’t the prettiest vittles in the world — in fact, they look pretty messy sitting on the plate. Yet the taste outweighs the lack of visual appeal, especially if you love seafood. In case you didn’t know, these Massachusetts and Rhode Island specialties are stuffed clams, containing ingredients such as herbs, sausage, and bread crumbs. They’ll fill you up really quickly!

Looking for an alternative to French fries? Well, this bizarre creation could be right up your alley. Surprisingly, cactus can be a worthwhile substitute for potatoes, with folks from Arizona frying up pieces of the prickly plant. No joke. Salsa and ranch dressing are meant to compliment the fries, too, should you crave a bit of extra flavor. Tempted to give them a chance?

Much like sushi, tartare dishes are served completely raw. It’s already a fairly unique meal, but the bison variant takes it to another level. It’s got quite the following in Wyoming, as people can’t get enough of the meaty taste. There’s spices, capers, and onions sitting in the mix as well, rounding it all off. Intrigued? We don’t blame you.

The Garbage Plate isn’t the most flattering of names for a meal. But when you take a closer look at this monster from New York, it makes a lot more sense. It’s a mess! Then again, that’s by design. The serving is meant to be loaded up with numerous items, with three standing out in particular: Potatoes, some type of meat, and macaroni salad. No wonder it weighs approximately three pounds.