Time Machine

American Eats: History on a Bun

All humans eat in order to survive, but what they eat depends on their culture. Each culture has its own unique definitions and preparations of food, and ways of fulfilling the basic human need for nourishment. America is no exception. But because America's history of immigration combines peoples from all over the globe, its culinary choices are unique. They, like Americans themselves, are a blend of different ethnic and national cultures, which over the years have become uniquely American as Americans alter foods from different lands to suit their tastes. American Eats: History on a Bun provides a look at the history of foods that we consider distinctly American, from pizza to the hot dog. American Eats: History on a Bun would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Immigration, and Culinary Arts. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Discussion Questions

  1. Food, like any other cultural signifier, reflects the history of its culture. How does American food reflect the history of America?

  2. How does food differ from culture to culture? What does your food reveal about your culture?

  3. American foods have their origins in other culture. How have we made these foreign foods uniquely American? What is

  4. The hot dog is one of America's favorite foods. Discuss the origins of the hot dog.

  5. Hot dog consumers in Coney Island did not trust Nathan's five-cent hot dogs. How did Nathan's allay fears about their product?

  6. Discuss the role of the New York City subway system in the history of the hot dog.

  7. Hot dogs needed to go from the ballpark and the amusement park into American homes to become one of the country's favorite foods. How did Oscar Mayer accomplish this?

  8. Hot dogs went into space with American astronauts in the 1970s as comfort foods. What are comfort foods? What are some of your comfort foods?

  9. Originally, pizza did not have tomatoes. How did pizza get a tomato topping? How did pizza become a national fad?

  10. Pizza was a victim of its own success. How did the success of pizza result in a poorer quality product?

  11. What are the origins of

  12. How did White Castle change the image of the hamburger and make it a

  13. Discuss the role of the automobile in the history of American food.

  14. Chicken used to be a special

  15. Americans love sandwiches. Why are sandwiches so popular? Why is the sandwich the

  16. Discuss America's love affair with ice cream.
Extended Activities

  1. Create a mobile of America's favorite foods.

  2. Have a buffet in class where everyone shares their favorite family recipes.

  3. Design a poster or billboard advertisement for Nathan's in the 1920s.
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