2. Hot Dogs

Nathans Hot Dogs in Coney Island

Although the first-ever version of the hot dog has its roots outside of the United States, American hot dogs — as we know them today — are a homage to New York City. In the 1870’s, a German immigrant named Charles Feltman began selling sausages on rolls on Coney Island. In 1916, this idea was later expanded on by Nathan Handwerker, founder of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.

Nathan’s coined the idea of adding toppings to Frankfurters, specifically mustard, relish and sauerkraut. They quickly became popularized as a working-class street food, sold by food stands and carts. Because they were served at baseball games, hot dogs further became linked with American culture and society. Today, they are still regarded as one of the most beloved American food products.