15 Most Bizarre Foods in America You Won’t Believe People Actually Stomach

If you thought America was only known for its fast food and large portion sizes, it gets even more extreme. The country is also home to some of the unhealthiest and unique foods in the world, and most of them are either dripping in fat or unbelievably spicy.  

From deep-fried everything to strange food combinations, you won’t be coming across these dishes often. However, when you do, these 15 most bizarre foods in America will leave you wondering, “Is this really food?”

1. Ghost Pepper Wings

You can usually find these fiery wings at places known for their extreme food challenges or spicy menus.

Coated in a sauce made from ghost peppers, they sit at the top of the heat scale, hitting over a million Scoville units. Your mouth will feel like it’s on fire with just one bite, and the spice lingers long after you’ve dared to take another.

2. Deep-Fried Butter

Yes, you read that right. This is not a joke. At the State Fair of Texas, they’ve managed to find a way to deep fry butter and sell it as a delicious treat. The outer shell is crispy, while the inside is a gooey, buttery mess that’ll have you questioning your life choices.

How do you even deep fry butter? We’re not entirely sure, but the end result is a crispy golden ball of gooey melted butter. Biting into one of these greasy monstrosities is probably not recommended by doctors or nutritionists.

3. Luther Burger

Named after legendary musician Luther Vandross, this burger takes the concept of a bacon cheeseburger to a whole new level. Instead of buns, it’s sandwiched between two glazed doughnuts.

The Luther Burger is a strange, sugar-coated, heart-stopping creation found at fairs, diners, and burger joints willing to push the boundaries of what a sandwich should be.

4. Garbage Plates

In Rochester, NY, the Garbage Plate is as chaotic as its name suggests: a mound of mac salad, home fries, hot dogs or burgers, and baked beans topped with mustard and hot sauce.

It’s not pretty, but I can see how it can be satisfying after a long night out. There’s no rhyme or reason to the combination of flavors and textures or any way to do this dish “right”.

5. Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe

What’s better than Sloppy Joe? Apparently, stuffing it inside a Krispy Kreme donut. This bizarre mashup takes two foods that were never meant to meet and turns them into one gloriously messy meal.

Found at food festivals and over-the-top diners, people sweat the sweetness of the glazed donut somehow pairs with the savory meat, but good luck keeping it all together.

6. Rocky Mountain Oysters

If you ever find yourself in the Western US, you might come across Rocky Mountain Oysters. Don’t be fooled by the name, these aren’t seafood. They’re deep-fried bull testicles, and there are even food competitions to see who can down the most.

Local bars and restaurants serve them up like they’re no big deal, but the idea tends to freak out most first-timers. Once you get past the concept, they taste like any other fried meat, but the mental hurdle is part of the experience.

7. Bacon-Wrapped Everything

Bacon lovers in America have taken their obsession to the extreme, wrapping just about anything in bacon. Hot dogs, Oreos, pickles—you name it, it’s probably been wrapped in crispy, salty bacon somewhere.

At this point, bacon-wrapped foods have become a whole trend of their own, and people just can’t get enough of it. It’s bacon, after all.

8. Heart Attack Grill’s Quadruple Bypass Burger

The name says it all. Clog those arteries with this monster of a burger that comes with four beef patties, 20 slices of bacon, and eight slices of cheese.

As if that weren’t enough, this Las Vegas staple restaurant also throw in lard-cooked fries and a milkshake with butterfat. Despite the fact that all the waitresses are dressed as nurses, this meal is not even pretending to be healthy.

9. Scorpion Lollipops

In the Southwest, you can find lollipops with real scorpions inside. They’re edible, although I’m not sure why anyone would want to eat a scorpion in any form.

You can find them in specialty candy shops or at bizarre food festivals, and they’re equal parts sweet and creepy. Some people buy them just for the shock factor, but others actually eat them. It’s extreme, weird, and a fun way to gross out your friends.

10. Kool-Aid Pickles

Coming out of the South, these pickles have been soaked in Kool-Aid instead of regular brine, resulting in a sweet yet tangy pickle that also happens to be bright blue or red.

They’re popular among kids and at fairs, but the idea of drinking pickles in fruit-flavored juice is definitely an acquired taste.

11. Fried Coca-Cola

Another fair food favorite, this one has people scratching their heads, wondering how it’s possible to fry a liquid.

The answer is simple: battering Coke syrup and frying it until crispy. It’s then topped with whipped cream and more Coke syrup for extra sugary goodness. The result is a crunchy, gooey treat that’s bound to give you a sugar high.

12. The World’s Hottest Chocolate Bar

This tiny chocolate bar packs a serious punch, with a heat level hitting 9 million Scoville units. It’s not something you casually snack on.

Found at extreme candy stores, it’s a challenge more than a treat, pushing the limits of how much spice a person can handle. One square is enough to make you sweat, and most people don’t make it past the first bite.

13. Turducken

Thanksgiving just isn’t the same without a Turducken. Coming out of the South, this extreme dish involves stuffing a chicken into a duck and then stuffing that into a turkey. It’s meat, meat, and more meat.

This monstrous creation has become popular during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, with some people even putting additional stuffing in between each layer.

14. Insect Tacos

Insects are a staple in many cultures around the world, but it’s still considered extreme and bizarre by most Americans. In some adventurous restaurants, you can find insect tacos filled with crickets, grasshoppers, or mealworms.

The crunch of the bugs adds an unusual texture, and the flavors can vary depending on the seasoning.

15. The 72-Ounce Steak Challenge

Only in America would someone decide that a meal isn’t complete unless you’re battling a 72-ounce steak. Found in steakhouses across the country, this challenge is famously associated with the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

You’re not just eating a massive steak; you’re also required to finish all the sides, which usually include a baked potato, salad, and sometimes even bread rolls.

You’ve got an hour to down 4.5 pounds of beef, and many brave souls have tried and failed. Finishing the challenge means you get your meal free, plus the respect of fellow carnivores everywhere.

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