Food. It's a big part of our culture in America. Potlucks, tailgating, Thanksgiving, and many other events all include food as one of the main characteristics. There are many foods that we consider "American", but which ones were truly made in America? How about foods that sound like they're from somewhere else but were actually invented right here in the USA? Here's a list that will help you:

1. Doritos

Doritos are one of the most delicious and popular chips. What could make them better? Oh yeah, they were invented at Disney Land - the happiest place on earth! The employees at "Casa de Fritos" in the early 1960s cut and fried pieces of tortilla, added spices, and boom! Your favorite snack.

2. Candy Corn

This sweet treat is everyone's favorite at Halloween time. But where did it come from? Philadelphia in the 1880s. George Renninger worked at Jelly Belly Candy Company (formerly Wunderle Candy Company) and came up with the idea! He originally called it "Chicken Feed". I think we're all glad it has found a new name.

3. German Chocolate Cake

It's in the name, right? WRONG. German Chocolate was named after Samuel German and was made in 1852 at the Baker's Chocolate Company. The cake came later in 1957. It was a recipe created by a housewife named Mrs. Clay in Dallas, Texas.

4. Fortune Cookie

Although it is based off of a Japanese cracker, the fortune cookie was not invented in Japan or China. Makoto Hagiwara is reported as the first person to serve the fortune cookie at Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco in late 1890s/early 1900s. They were manufactured by the San Francisco bakery called Benkyodo.

5. Pecan Pie

The southern part of the U.S. gets props for this delicious, round dessert. As pecans are a crop of the south, this pie is said to have been around since the 1800s. This also happens to be my personal favorite American food on the list.

6. Tater Tots

"Napoleon, give me some of your tots". These little potato chunks are probably one of the greatest foods on the planet. So, who gets credit for inventing them? None other than Ore-Ida founders F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg! In 1953, these two found the best way to use all of their leftover potato pieces!

7. Corn Dogs

Corn dogs: Arguably the MOST American food. The credit for the general idea goes to German Texan sausage makers who needed to change up their meat when losing business. However, it is not 100% sure who came up with the modern corn dog (including the stick). It is estimated that sometime in the 1940s, corn dogs with the stick became common.

8. S'mores

Want some more? The boy scouts would say YES! The exact origin of the s'more is not known but as early as 1925, boy scouts reported this chocolately, outdoor treat. Regardless of when or where it came from, S'mores are a timeless favorite!

9. Chimichanga

Here's another food whose name is misleading. The Chimichanga, although labeled with a Spanish word, was not invented in Mexico (or any other Spanish-speaking country). Nobody is sure who really invented this dish, but the bottom line is that at some point, someone dropped a large, tortilla-wrapped food item in the fryer and it tasted good. Now, we all get to enjoy it at our local Mexican restaurants.

10. Milkshakes

Originally an alcoholic whiskey drink (1885), the milkshake is now one of America's most enjoyed desserts! By 1900, milkshake took on the definition of a drink made with syrup and by the 1930s, it took its current form with ice cream! Americans will always enjoy this cold, sweet treat!

Whether you were aware that these foods were American or not, you probably still enjoyed at least half of them. Now you know that America does have some of the greatest foods to offer!

Information credit:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/12-seem...

http://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/10-truly-amer...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doritos

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_corn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_chocolate_cak...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_cookie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_tots

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_dog

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S'more

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimichanga

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkshake