An Examination of American Cuisine - Characteristics and Definition

Previously known as Fiddler's Restaurant, Brookfield, Connecticut, dining mainstay Chris’s American Restaurant opened in 2003 after rebranding by restaurant owner Chris Bruno. Following its acquisition by Bruno, Chris’s American Restaurant underwent a number of changes to its design and menu. Bruno’s new menu consisted of dishes from progressive American cuisine, a classification of dining comprising traditional dishes with added twists inspired by U.S. regions and cultures.

Residents of the United States come from a variety of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, with ancestry that traces back to countries throughout the world. American cuisine embraces the heritages that make up the American population and celebrates the adaptability of each culture. Furthermore, it represents the sense of community created through the intermixing of foods, ingredients, and cooking techniques from different cultures to create new dishes. The term “progressive” refers to the constant evolution of American cuisine as chefs continue to experiment with and reinterpret classic dishes.

Due to the mix of ingredients and techniques adopted from other cultures, some chefs continue to debate the definition of American cuisine. While the general consensus among chefs affirms its status as a legitimate type of cuisine, the specifics of its definition can vary among the culinary community. Most-used definitions refer to American cuisine in terms of region, culture, and comfort. Its characteristics are also generally agreed upon by culinary professionals and include dishes that feature foods such as macaroni and cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken, and apple pie.                             

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