21 All-American Dishes Baby Boomers Swear By
Americans born between 1946 and 1964, commonly known as baby boomers, are a very important cross-section of the population. Their tastes have influenced generational shifts, from the economy, politics, and pop culture. No matter how big or small, it’s notable to know just what exactly the boomer generation enjoys.
In terms of food, some American dishes are popular no matter the age. But when it comes to baby boomers, some food stands out from the rest. Case in point? You won’t find avocado toast on their list of favorite dishes.
YouGov took data from across the U.S. to find the 21 most popular American dishes among the baby boomer generation. Whether you’re a baby boomer yourself or plan on having one over for dinner, this list provides insight into what makes baby boomers’ taste buds tick.
Boomers’ Popular Food Choices
YouGov ran a survey in quarter one of 2024 examining the percentage of people who have positive opinions of American dishes. They broke down their data into several categories, including different generations’ preferences.
At least 1,500 respondents participated in YouGov’s survey. Panelists were asked to participate based on their age and where they reside.
Without further ado, these are baby boomers’ favorite American dishes. We ranked this list on popularity. However, we also included data about each food’s “fame,” which means how well-recognized of a dish it is.
1: Mashed Potatoes
- Popularity among baby boomers: 90%
- Fame: 99%
2: Steak & Baked Potato
- Popularity among baby boomers: 89%
- Fame: 99%
3: Hamburgers
- Popularity among baby boomers: 88%
- Fame: 100%
4: Apple Pie
- Popularity among baby boomers: 88%
- Fame: 100%
5: Corn on the Cob
- Popularity among baby boomers: 87%
- Fame: 100%
6: Cheeseburger
- Popularity among baby boomers: 86%
- Fame: 99%
7: Grilled Cheese
- Popularity among baby boomers: 86%
- Fame: 98%
8: French Fries
- Popularity among baby boomers: 85%
- Fame: 99%
9: Fried Chicken
- Popularity among baby boomers: 84%
- Fame: 99%
10: BBQ Ribs
- Popularity among baby boomers: 83%
- Fame: 99%
11: Hash Browns
- Popularity among baby boomers: 83%
- Fame: 99%
12: Roast Beef
- Popularity among baby boomers: 83%
- Fame: 99%
13: Southern Style Fried Chicken
- Popularity among baby boomers: 83%
- Fame: 99%
14: Steak and Fries
- Popularity among baby boomers: 81%
- Fame: 98%
15: Turkey Sandwich
- Popularity among baby boomers: 80%
- Fame: 100%
16: Tater Tots
- Popularity among baby boomers: 76%
- Fame: 99%
17: Chicken Pot Pie
- Popularity among baby boomers: 75%
- Fame: 100%
18: Philly Cheesesteak
- Popularity among baby boomers: 75%
- Fame: 99%
19: Sloppy Joe
- Popularity among baby boomers: 74%
- Fame: 99%
20: Hot Dogs
- Popularity among baby boomers: 73%
- Fame: 99%
21: Po’ Boy
- Popularity among baby boomers: 51%
- Fame: 87%
The Mashed Potatoes’ History
Mashed potatoes rank first on the list of American foods most popular among baby boomers, and the history of the dish likely isn’t what you expect. The first culture to reportedly mash potatoes to eat were the Andes people in Chile in the 18th century. The first instance of the recipe was featured in the cookbook “The Art of Cookery” published in 1747.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that Americans’ obsession with mashed potatoes jumped into high gear. After World War II, a research facility operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found a way to dehydrate potatoes which allowed American consumers to make mashed potatoes easily at home, which might be a big reason why the baby boomer generation embraced the dish.
America’s Meat Consumption
Steak and baked potatoes rank number two for the baby boomer generation in terms of popular dishes, which makes sense with the popularity of meat consumption in the United States. The average American eats approximately 80 pounds of beef per year, which is much more than the worldwide average of about 20 pounds per year.
Meanwhile, while fried chicken ranks ninth when it comes to popular dishes for baby boomers, it ranks first in terms of most-consumed meat for Americans. On average, people in the U.S. eat about 127 pounds of poultry per year. The preference for eating chicken over any other meat in the U.S. has risen over the last few decades, while interest in beef has declined since its peak in the 1960s.
New Orleans’ Classic Sandwich
Coming in at the bottom of the list is the po’boy, despite its rise in popularity over the last few years. The sandwich is sometimes spelled “po-boy,” “po boy,” or “poor boy” and usually contains roast beef or fried seafood like fish, shrimp, or crawfish.
The po’boy was reportedly created in New Orleans when brothers Bennie and Clovis Martin created a cheap, simple sandwich for workers to eat during the 1929 streetcar strike.
Your best bet to get the most delicious po’boys in America is to go straight to the source in the city of New Orleans. Domilise’s is a restaurant in the city that’s been family-owned and operated for over 100 years and is considered the top place for po’boy sandwiches. But these delicious sandwiches can also be found at restaurants across the city, including Verti Marte, which is a favorite among locals and tourists.
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