You should be able to find real American BBQ. Note that this doesn't mean meat cooked over fire.

It means meat slow cooked over indirect heat, typically involving smoke.

Usually the best way to find these places is to ask around, then go in the morning before they open to see if there's a bunch of huge smokers running out back and maybe even a line.

Order pork ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. Maybe throw some sausage on there. I don't order beef ribs outside of Texas.

You don't need the most famous or popular place. Just somewhere that values quality meat, doesn't rush it, and doesn't soak it in sauce. Look for St. Louis style BBQ in the Chicago area.

This kind of food and exists nowhere else in the world, I've done a decent job of looking.

North Carolina BBQ (it’s a vinegary-mustard BBQ sauce). When I’m in the mood, I can put that sauce on almost anything.

Not exactly food, but root beer. I've been many places and it is definitely an uniquely America thing. Don't do barqs or mug, maybe a&w if you can't find IBC (my personal easier to get choice) or a Boylan's or Stewart's. If

You can also try the extra uniquely american soda sasparilla. Its a close relative to root beer.

If you're in Chicago you should go do a shot of Malort.

Biscuits and gravy is good for breakfast. I would only do a 1/2 order which is one split biscuit, a full order is two split biscuits. Some places do it better than others, it's hit or miss.

Not sure about the UK but I've had pizza in both Italy and Germany and they are NOT like American pizza.

Does Chicago do Midwest style cheese curds?

Shame you're not here during the summer, the state fair is where we hide the truly incredible culinary abominations like deep fried twinkies, deep fried oreos, deep fried ranch dressing... (no, we don't usually eat that kind of thing but you'd get to go home and confirm that we are actually doing this stuff).

Try some sweet tea as well if Waffle House has it, Cracker Barrel (another chain) also does most of the southern style breakfast stuff (grits, biscuits and gravy) and it's an interesting trip but local places and Waffle House should take higher priority.

Chicago is obviously not the best location for it, but if you can find it you should really have some lobster. You can get other species of lobster in other countries but a chance to eat a Maine lobster would be a shame to miss.

If you're in Chicago at the moment, I think you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't have an Italian Beef sandwich and a hot dog Chicago-style as well.

A hamburger from a non-chain, or small chain restaurant with rave reviews is often an incredible experience.

Do NOT go to In-N-Out, Five Guys, Shake Shack, etc... I know people rave about chains, but they are seldom going to be as good as the smaller guys. Just get your reviews from Google maps, and make sure they are 4-5 stars with hundreds or thousands of reviews.

I'm American but I think deep dish pizza sucks

American breakfast cereals are unique (because they're all desserts).

If you're in Chicago get a Chicago style hotdog from a street vendor.

I'm from the South so I default to recommend (despite being a vegetarian) fresh cornbread (without the sugar), gumbo, grits, biscuits & gravy, and chicken fried steak. Chicago ain't ideal for those foods.

I recommend trying some Tex Mex and barbeque.

I'd generally advise avoiding chain restaurants like Wendy's now that you've tried it. There's differences, but if you've had one, you've had them all.

Not sure what other parts of the country you're visiting, but keep an eye out for small, local diners and ask if they have any house specials.

If you see a local place that's also known as a "truck stop diner", stop and eat (unless it's a chain like Waffle House, IHOP, etc. Not that those are bad, they're just not as good as a local eatery). My recommendation would be something off the breakfast menu (which is typically available at all hours). Bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc. Usually they'll give you massive portions, they're delicious, and fairly inexpensive.

Some of the best food I've ever had was from a local truck stop diner that sadly went out of business shortly after COVID.

Since someone already mentioned Tex Mex and BBQ, I'd also add you should try to find some authentic Mexican food. It's technically American and I have heard European Expats complain that they can't get it overseas. Teriyaki, though I've never had it in Chicago, it is certainly very different depending what region of the US you get it in, and it's nothing like what you'd find elsewhere. Biscuits and gravy for breakfast. And lastly Pecan Pie. Preferably after a serving of Mac and cheese and collard greens.

Since you're in Chicago, I suggest finding a restaurant called Au Cheval and getting a burger.

It's been a few years, but it was one of the best burgers I've ever had.

As far as food you won't find much of in the UK, I agree with other commenters to find good Tex Mex and a good diner.

Tex Mex is better in Texas, but Chicago is a major city with great food, so I'd be surprised if they don't have great Tex Mex somewhere. You could also look for a taco truck. Actually, look for food trucks in general. I don't know if the UK got that same amazing food truck fad that the US did a few years back, but you should be able to find a park where a bunch of food trucks gather and you can try a little of everything. (If you find one with Venezuelan food, do not pass it up.)

For a diner, you're looking for something a little more run down, not a chain, and probably off a highway rather than in the main part of the city. It should be open 24 hours and serve breakfast all day. Look for reviews that seem way better than how the building looks. Again, Chicago probably isn't the best spot for it (that'd be upstate New York and New Jersey), but there's bound to be something.

Italian Beef Sandwich

~3am. 6-12 beers deep. You're gonna want to stumble into a waffle House.

Since you're in Chicago if you want to make sure there is a fight in the waffle House I would advise wearing a packers jersey and loudly talking about how Aaron Rodgers is the greatest quarterback that ever lived.

That should give you an authentic American dining experience.

My main recommendation would be to try biscuits and gravy. Which must sound entirely disgusting, given how differently we use those words on this side of the Atlantic. However, you are in Chicago; so, you're not likely to find a well made version of them there. If you ever get down south, give them a try. Like most southern food, they are a heart attack on a plate, but you'll be happy as you die.

Speaking of southern food, BBQ offers a wide selection of dishes worth trying. You may be able to find something passable in Chicago, look for a truck with a smoker/kitchen in a trailer. Chain BBQ restaurants are usually just dens of sadness and disappointment. I'm partial to pulled pork, though I also won't pass up a smoked beef brisket. And this should be served with cornbread.

If you get any further west, In-n-Out is pretty uniquely American. Though, it's really just a fresh burger with "American Cheese Product" and thousand island dressing. And their fries are mediocre at best. Probably worth a try as a cultural icon, but not something you'll end up writing home about it (bring on the downvotes west-coasters).

To your east is the home of New England Clam Chowder (the cream based white one, not Manhattan/Rhode Island red/clear ones). There's probably some decent bowls to be had there in Chicago. Just fantastic on a chill day. Just be wary of upscale restaurants trying to fancy this one up. It's a simple classic, but some folks just can't leave well enough alone.

Most "American" food is derived from another country's cuisine. I haven't spent much time in the south, but I have heard that Cajun food is one of the few styles that is unique to the USA.

I've traveled all around western Europe and didn't find much in the way of American food. Spend a month between Germany, France, Italy, and I was dying for something like home. Spend two weeks in the Netherlands where I bought what I thought was a cheese Danish pastry from this bakery, take a bite and it has fish and a slab of cheese in the middle. Order fish and chips and turns out the fish was the whole damn fish, scales, and bones with the head removed. The only American experience I could find was a Burger King or Macdonalds. It's not like the food in the places I traveled around bad, just often time bland or heavy. Garlic and butter can't be the only spices ya'll use, right?

I now understand why my foreign coworkers and friends are so happy to come back home with two suitcases full of their favorite food and snacks from their country.