Any American who has traveled abroad will probably have come across restaurants that try to bring a piece of the U.S. to other countries and these eateries are meant to share some familiar tastes & vibes. However, they’re sometimes so completely wrong that it makes them hard to enjoy! Here are ten U.S.-themed restaurants abroad that Americans can’t stand and why. Be prepared to be disappointed in what the world thinks of us.
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The American Dream – Paris, France
First up is The American Dream in Paris, a restaurant that tries hard to recreate U.S. dining but goes overboard with the clichés—the decor is far too overwhelming. Stars & stripes cover nearly every surface and if that weren’t bad enough, the menu mixes together random American dishes that don’t usually go side by side. Over here, you won’t feel at home but rather like you’ve visited a place that’s a parody of your own culture! It’s no wonder the place closed.
Cantine California – Paris, France
Also in Paris is Cantine California which tries to bring the West Coast to France with lots of supposedly California-inspired menu items. However, the menu includes many ingredients that don’t quite fit and there aren’t many fresh or healthy choices—just a lot of burgers. That’s rather odd since California is known for that so Americans from the Golden State will be disappointed.
Stars and Stripes Diner – Tokyo, Japan
The Stars and Stripes Diner in Tokyo aims to serve classic American food but something got lost along the way and that’s mostly because the portions are tiny compared to what you’d get in the States! They’ve also changed the flavors to suit local preferences which makes any Americans visiting the diner feel confused. They’re given some rather unfamiliar versions of dishes they know & love.
California Beef Noodle King – Beijing, China
With a place named California Beef Noodle King, you’d think the restaurant would be U.S. themed but it’s almost anything but because the food doesn’t match up with what you’d actually get in the states. The dishes are often unrecognizable beyond belief which makes any American guest feel rather out of place! You’ll probably feel more out-of-place than comforted when you dine here, especially since all the California chicken is Chinese, not American!
Range Grills – Berlin, Germany
Over in Berlin, they have many American-themed range grills that are filled with cowboy hats & imitation oil lamps that try to capture that Texan vibe and they mostly do well with this. But most German restaurants serve all their steaks well-done by default—which isn’t how most Americans prefer them—and the barbecue sauce is strangely sweet. Any Texans visiting Berlin will feel let down by this twisted version of their home state’s cuisine.
Route 66 Café – Vienna, Austria
Route 66 Café in Vienna has a rather jumbled collection of American memorabilia from all over the country and the menu is a similar random mix, too. It includes dishes that don’t belong together, like pairing New England clam chowder with Chicago deep-dish pizza—yuck! We know these foods come from completely different places which means seeing such a mix feels odd & out of place.
Budvar – Moscow, Russia
Budvar in Moscow tries to bring the American frontier to Russia and the staff wear over-the-top cowboy outfits—unfortunately, the atmosphere feels more like a cartoon than anything authentic. The menu doesn’t offer real American dishes that we know and love so it’s nothing like you’ll expect. In fact, it’s a lot more awkward than entertaining to visit a place like this but at least the owners have tried.
New York Pizza House – Rome, Italy
Over in Rome, New York Pizza House tries to bring NYC-style pizza to the heart of Italy, although they don’t quite get it right. The crust is thinner than it should be and there’s nowhere near enough cheese—the toppings are also rather unique. Of course, they’re probably just going for Italian-style pizzas but for any Americans craving a slice of home, this place doesn’t hit the spot.
Chicago Diner – London, UK
Chicago Diner in London promises customers lots of deep-dish pizza & Chicago-style hot dogs—but it doesn’t deliver on these. The pizza doesn’t have the thick, hearty crust you’d expect and the hot dogs are missing important touches like the poppy seed bun & the right toppings. You’ll have to go to the Windy City itself if you want a real taste of Chicago.
Big Apple Café – Tokyo, Japan
Finally, there’s Big Apple Café in Tokyo that tries to capture everything New York City has to offer, yet they’ve kept the menu pretty basic. It includes just bagels & cheesecake, completely ignoring the huge variety of cuisines that make NYC so special. Americans who know how incredible New York’s food scene is often feel like this cafe doesn’t do the city justice.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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