What American-Themed Restaurants Look Like In Other Countries

America, land of the ... stereotypes? The United States has been known as a diverse, "melting pot" of a nation for centuries, but other countries tend to view American cuisine through a pretty limited lens and have the themed restaurants to prove it. According to some European nations, the American foodie scene was at its best in the 1950s, when date night consisted of feasting on hamburgers and giggling over milkshakes in shiny-floored soda fountains. Throughout the world, a fair share of restaurants are giving interpretive takes on cowboy culture, where wagon wheels, whiskey barrels, and Confederate flags serve as decor inspo and menu options range from ribeye steaks to fish and chips.

American-themed restaurants in other countries often lean into a costumey representation of classic stateside foods, regional fashions, and retro kitsch while serving subpar, overpriced food. But not all American cuisine abroad is bad. Some American-themed establishments are well-versed in American specialty dishes while expat-run eateries bring authentic American taste to other parts of the world. People appreciate real American food the same way we have our favorite Indian, Korean, or Italian restaurants in the United States. 

Ever wonder what American restaurants really look like around the world — or more importantly — what they put on the menu? Here's your chance to find out. This is what you can expect to see (and eat) at American-themed restaurants across the globe.

Norwegians may hold their native black metal and reindeer sausage near and dear, but they leave a little room for American influence with Jack's Country Saloon. Located within the labyrinth of wooden structures lining Bergen's Hanseatic Wharf, a 12th-century harbor that happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jack's Country Saloon doesn't really conceal the fact it's a tourist trap catering to American travelers who may be slow to branch out.

You won't find a goth in sight at Jack's Country Saloon, where Country Western music dominates the airwaves and burgers with fries are the stars of the menu. Yet like many American restaurants, Jack's offers a disjointed array of choices (think fish and chips and Tropical Smirnoff Ice). Visitors can hunch over barstools crafted from real horse saddles and buy a souvenir t-shirt on the way out. The fun doesn't stop there, Jack's Country Saloon (whose motto is "stay in the saddle, feel the music, enjoy the atmosphere") boasts live country music every Tuesday and has an outdoor seating area with a waterfront view that leads out to Norway's majestic fjords.

Jack's Country Saloon provides liveliness and sustenance to Bergen dwellers looking to take a bite out of the Old West, but there are some downsides. Reviews of the establishment are very mixed, with complaints echoing the typical gripes of tourism-driven restaurants: the food is nothing special, service is spotty, and it's expensive.

Just about every reference to 1950s America and mid-century Hollywood is accounted for at Beverly Hills Diner in Moscow. The palm trees remain indoors — because you know, it's Russia, and to call the dining room decorations elaborate would be a major understatement. The luminous jukebox churns out guests' musical selections and according to its Instagram page, a steady flow of live music and kid-friendly events attract patrons looking for the taste and feel of a bygone American era.

Milkshakes, cocktails, Cobb salad, and onion ring towers can be had day or night at the 24-hour diner. Waitresses stick to a uniform of pastel shirtdresses topped with frilly aprons and an entire menu page is devoted to pancakes. Lipstick red seating complements the checkered floors as signs depicting classic American logos like Warner Brothers, Pepsi, and Harley Davidson bathe the dining room in neon light. Larger-than-life figurines are everywhere. Beverly Hills Diner might be the only place on Earth where you can eat potato wedges and nachos in the presence of Betty Boop, Al Capone, and Micheal Jordan.

The biggest drawback of Beverly Hills Diner is that it does too much at once. Classic cars are parked out front, a Sopranos pinball machine is against the wall, and the menu is massive. All this comes at the expense of consistent quality for diners. Reviews, mostly from tourists, largely describe the food as average ... or worse.

As we've seen, American-themed restaurants in foreign countries aren't shy about leaning into clichés, but Betty's Midwest Kitchen in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (that's PJ to locals), takes a more novel approach. A family trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota inspired owner Kevin Woon to start his own restaurant, and in 2009, Betty's Midwest Kitchen was born. Woon riffs on homey, simple yet fulfilling dishes that are staples throughout America's heartland — we're talking meatloaf, pork chops, and mashed potatoes with gravy. A signature dish at Betty's Midwest Kitchen is named "dog food" which Woon described to the Vulcan Post as "... basically baked poutine (cheese, french fries, and gravy) that's served in a pie dish that closely resembles a dog food dish."

Betty's Midwest Kitchen has been a hit since it opened. In fact, the setting of the Malaysian-made video game "Midwest 90: Rapid City" is based on Betty's. It's a quaint, no-frills space with an American Dream-style white picket fence flanking the entrance. Customers come here to get full-on baked mac and cheese, beef brisket, and weekly specials like house-cured maple bacon. For Woon, the modesty of Betty's Midwest Kitchen is part of the charm. "We have turned away offers for franchising before," he explained. "This restaurant has been more of a way of life for us more than the income it brings. I don't think it will be the same if it becomes a chain." (via Vulcan Post).

The ode to 1950s Americana is in full force at James Dan Prague, situated in the historic Old Town section of Prague, Czech Republic and something tells us James Dean might have been intrigued by this. James Dean Prague doesn't divert from the predictable '50s diner motif -– black and white checked floors and Coca-cola red upholstered seating are front and center while Marilyn Monroe and Elvis join Dean as muses of the space. A 1955 Triumph motorcycle (the same model once owned by Dean) hangs from the ceiling and a pop art-themed bathroom is complete with mouth-shaped urinals.

Steaks, burgers, and shakes are the main menu attractions, but there's a breakfast menu too with fun items like homemade granola and eggs in a glass. What makes James Dean Prague stand out amongst the other American-themed restaurants is that come nightfall, the diner becomes a dance club. The '50s theme doesn't dissipate after dark though — the basement-level club is fashioned with real relics from vintage gas stations and factories and scantily clad cage dancers get their groove on in retro-inspired outfits. Old Town Prague is a touristy neighborhood that some travelers somewhat avoid, but the gimmicks at James Dean Prague definitely earn originality points.

MOJA in the HOUSE is a cool people hang out. Located in Tokyo's young and happening Shibuya district, the café features artfully mismatched furniture, pendant lighting, and a trendy food menu with strong American influences. On its website, MOJA in the HOUSE proudly declares itself home of "the famous waffle chicken" — that's chicken and waffles to American folks. Soul food weaves a prominent path through the menu, mac and cheese is an appetizer and there's a BBQ skirt steak rice plate. Zucchini fritters with sour cream have a place beside onion rings and french fries, but if you want something a little more Japanese you can order French fries with salted fish guts instead.

MOJA in the HOUSE caters to its hip patrons with tons of drink options, including craft cocktails and designer soda with names like Boogie Nights and California Soul. Plus, all sorts of events are being held in the space at any given time. You can enjoy a live performance one night and an after-hours DJ set the next. Artist-run workshops are plentiful too. Depending on the day, you could peruse the pop-up flea market after lunch, or have your portrait drawn depicting what you would look like if you were a cartoon dog. MOJA in the HOUSE has been in business since 2014, and judging by its ability to keep up with the times, we expect it will be around for years to come.

Iquitos, Peru, a port city on the Western border of the Amazon River is home to The Yellow Rose of Texas, a quirky restaurant that's been a tourist-driven mainstay since 2001. The Yellow Rose of Texas is named after an old-school Country and Western song, but the restaurant's decor takes a newer (and chaotic) approach. Every inch of the walls is covered in layers of  Texas sports memorabilia — and then some. T-shirts collide with Confederate flags which clash with football helmets and Longhorn skulls. On its website, The Yellow Rose of Texas advertises "The biggest menu in town, 400 items to select" with an abundance of options including chicken and dumplings, alligator, French toast, and "typical food from the jungle."

Reviews of the food are subpar — a common criticism of establishments with novella-sized menus. Yet The Yellow Rose of Texas aims to do more than just serve (a lot) of food to patrons. A 2013 article in the New York Times dubbed The Yellow Rose of Texas an "expat watering hole," in reference to owner, Gerald Mayeaux, who moved from Texas to the Peruvian jungle in the '90s. Sure, Mayeaux's taste level is questionable but he takes pride in looking out for guests. The restaurant website invites weary travelers to take a shower. Meayeaux also assures, "We don't let anyone bother you." 

Middle Eastern restauranteur Basil Al Salem drew upon the aesthetics of 1940s American gas stations to bring Kuwait City's Slider Station to life, which happens to be the "first conveyor belt burger joint in the world." But 1940s American gas stations definitely weren't this stylish. The conveyor belt is encircled by seating fashioned to look like oil drums and the industrial motif is sleek and polished.

The sliders you'll see on the conveyor belt range from typical American-style beef burgers topped with cheese to Cajun battered fish but more exotic slider fare like Wagyu cheese steak and Peking duck are offered as well. Other Slider Station locations have opened in the neighboring nations of Oman and Bahrain, but if you ever happen to dine at Slider Station, don't fill up on conveyor belt fare. The restaurant takes dessert seriously, perfecting confections like the Oreo Midnight Pancake and Dally's chocolate pudding at its onsite chocolaterie known as the Cocoa Room.

In America, Louisiana's cuisine holds a certain distinction from other southern states. Foods like jambalaya, po-boy sandwiches, and bananas foster all originated in New Orleans. With such a rich culinary heritage, it's no wonder Germany chose to celebrate it with the 1994 debut of a restaurant simply called Louisiana.

Louisiana locations can be found in Düsseldorf, Hamburg-Mendssburg, Frankfurt, Oberhausen, and Aachen. Each city's version looks slightly different but the concept is uniform throughout. A green and gold motif and a long, polished wood bar are prominent interior features and several locations have outdoor seating. Barbeque is largely featured throughout the menu, whether it be BBQ pulled pork, chicken, or ribs but Louisiana appears to be more about burgers and other pub food than anything else. Those hoping to indulge in Big Easy flavors while visiting Germany may be underwhelmed by Louisiana — you won't find jambalaya on the menu, but you can ease your disappointment with half-priced drinks during happy hour.

According to Texan Wing Bar's website, "From the minute you walk in, you'll feel our Texan warmth." Whether the restaurant is referring to the heat of the wing sauce or the cavernous glow of the flatscreen TVs, Texan Wing Bar looks identical to the bustling sports bars found in the majority of U.S. states.

Texan Wing Bar's literal approach is pretty spot on. First, it's located on the sprawling grounds of Johannesburg's Montecasino, a resort-like tourist paradise in Johannesburg's attraction-packed Fourways district where daily foot traffic is never in short supply. Menu options are abundant and oh-so American, with popcorn shrimp, tater tots, and vegetarian nachos to support the wings — which are bottomless on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. Cowhide rugs and ceiling-mounted wagon wheels bring some Lone Star ambiance, and the waitstaff dresses the part in red plaid shirts and denim. For American visitors looking to grab a Budweiser on tap, watch the game, and get their cholesterol on like they do back home, Texan Wing Bar is close to the real deal — it even has pub trivia once a week (the bar just calls it quiz night instead).

Located in the Punjabi Bagh section of New Delhi, BlackJack is serving up rainbow-hued burger buns with a heaping side of American pop culture. Known for its affordable variety of American fast foods, BlackJack packs a fun, vibrant punch on New Delhi's casual dining scene with a playful twist on milkshakes, hot dogs, burgers, fries, and more.

Perhaps it's a little strange to serve cheese fries in a glass and yes, the cotton candy milkshake's billowing cloud of real cotton candy is a bit much, but the whimsy with which BlackJack serves food is admirable. And, in case you forgot that BlackJack is an American joint, just take a look at the menu board. Specialty fries options include The Simpsons and The Justin Beiber. There's a luxury milkshake called Netflix. The pink lemonade is curiously christened Prince Harry in Ghetto, which might refer to his move to the United States but we're not really sure. What's for dessert? How about a mini cheesecake assortment called The Kardashian Sisters.

You've heard the story before, an American visits Paris and is swept up by the je ne sais quoi of it all. For Craig Carlson, a native of Enfield, Connecticut, the narrative went a little differently. Yes, Carlson fell in love with Paris when he went there to work in television, but he also thought the city was missing something. That something was a true American breakfast.

In 2003, Carlson took a leap of faith and opened Breakfast in America, an authentic American diner that serves breakfast all day in addition to a plethora of brunch and lunch options. Parisians were receptive to the decidedly non-French menu of blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, omelets, and bagels with lox. Three years later, a second Paris location was opened. Breakfast in America goes with the classic red and white color palette for its awning and seating — some of the booths even come with a red table-side toaster. You could also enjoy a Brooklyn Lager at one of the outdoor tables. C'est magnifique!

Anyone with childhood memories of watching Clint Eastwood westerns with Grandpa probably understands the sentimental notion behind Bronco Billy. Founded by Yasumaa Takeichi in 1978, the casual dining steakhouse celebrates American flavors and traditions with charcoal-grilled steaks and burgers accompanied by an all-you-can-eat salad bar. Bronco Billy was a unique concept in the late 1970s (the salad bar didn't become a permanent restaurant fixture until 1985) and Japanese people were intrigued. From the success of the original location, following on the heels of Takeichi 's coffee shop, Tomiyama, the entrepreneur was able to expand Bronco Billy into a successful chain.

When you walk into any Bronco Billy location, you'll be greeted by an array of quintessentially American imagery. You might see the Statue of Liberty stretched across the length of one wall. Framed photos of U.S. landmarks like New York City's Flatiron building and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge are displayed above the red, vinyl upholstered booths. Prints from pop artists Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol, hang beside neon beer signs promoting Budweiser and Samuel Adams. Each location is decorated differently, but what's cooking at any Bronco Billy restaurant is the same: thick-cut ribeye or sirloin steaks are served with a helping of fries, rice, soup, and assorted veggies.

Apple pie and brewed coffee are synonymous with America and at Homebaked of Rome, Italy you can have both. Homebaked's original location opened in 2012, in the scenic Monteverde neighborhood. It's run by owner Jesse Smeal, who hails from Buffalo, New York, and his wife Carolina. The Smeals invite you to literally step into grandma's kitchen and feast on a homestyle brunch of bagels, pancakes, and scrambled eggs. There's a lunch menu too, offering wraps, salads, and unfussy sandwich options like the BLT. A roster of baked goods is made daily and includes cupcakes, brownies, cheesecake, and of course, apple and pumpkin pie. Like many American grandmas of yore, Homebaked's pastries are crafted from secret family recipes kept alive by the younger generation.

Homebaked has the distinction of serving brewed coffee in Italy (hot or iced!), but don't worry, there's still espresso, which the restaurant assures patrons that's the only Italian offering. Now, Homebaked holds something of a cult status among Rome's expat and student population who flock to the small, award-winning restaurant to enjoy an authentically American culinary experience — a true rarity in a city like Rome whose own cuisine is renowned the world over. 

Those visiting Rome from the United States agree. Tourists feeling homesick for chocolate chip pancakes or even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich have found much comfort in Homebaked's tasty food and the Smeals' down-to-earth customer service.