Many of our American comfort foods have mysterious or unknown origins. Because American cuisine is a mix of so many different cultures and culinary traditions, it can be difficult or even impossible to pin down where one particular dish came from. We do call the United States a “melting pot,” after all. And nowhere is that melting pot more evident than in our food. One of these dishes that most people grew up eating at home or in local diners is American chop suey.
All of us have had American chop suey at one point or another. But where did it originate? There are two theories for us to look at.
Theory One: It’s Italian
Many people believe that American chop suey has its origins in Italian pasta dishes. This theory does make sense as it uses ingredients typically found in other Italian dishes: pasta, tomato, sauce, and ground beef or sausage. In some areas, people even call it macaroni casserole or beefaroni, which are similar to the names of other Italian-American dishes. Outside of the basic ingredients, the typical additions are Italian herbs, spices, and garlic. However, these do change from region to region, so it’s hard to trace it back definitively to the Italian culinary tradition.
Theory Two: It’s Chinese
The name “American chop suey” lends credence to the idea that that dish is an American version of Chinese food. Chop suey is a Chinese-American dish of sauteed meat and vegetables, usually served over rice. It became popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Chinese immigrants arrived in major American cities like New York and San Francisco. It’s possible that people started calling the dish that borrowed the cooking techniques of chop suey that used typically American ingredients “American chop suey.”
Recapture the Experience of Classic Diners
No matter its origins, American chop suey is now a thoroughly American dish that millions of people enjoy, both at home and in their favorite diners. If reading this has made you hungry for some good old-fashioned American comfort food, come visit us at The English Muffin! We have all your breakfast and lunch favorites.
