What are some yummy/interesting snacks that I should get hubby to bring home from the US?

[VRBeauty]

Absolutely See’s! Just tell him to get it at a See’s store rather than the airport; he’ll pay double at the airport! Personally I’d get an assortment of regular See’s chocolates, and an assortment (1/2 pound, or full pound) of truffles. You can get an assortment of just milk versus dark chocolate, if you have a preference.

 

[VRBeauty]

Then get a bushel of apples.

Not apples - dried apricots or prunes.

Spoken as one who grew up in the Silicon Valley (before it was the Silicon Valley), who spent some summers working at a local cannery and at a Mariano’s shed cutting apricots.

 

[AprilBaby]

See’s candy, Snyder pretzels, The giant Trader Joe’s chocolate bars, Trader Joe’s Toffee with nuts, anything Trader Joe’s!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'd be interested to try some of this chocolate because the big brand American chocolate we get tastes a bit under pa if you ask me
too much palm oil and its gritty
And im quite found of Reaces pieces

Id want to bring home snacks of the kind we can't get here

In saying that i brought home some delicouse pomegranate chocolate

 

[VRBeauty]

Not a snack per se, and not particularly Californian (although there are at least two growers in California): wild rice. He should be able to find it at Whole Foods Market - and he should look for just wild rice, not a blend. (Wild rice is primarily raised in the Midwest, which seems to have a penchant for using Cream of Mushroom Soup in its casseroles etc, so many wild rice recipes call for a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup - so asking him to also get a can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom would not be out of order. It is possible to find online recipes without it too, but it takes a bit of digging!)

Blue Diamond flavored almonds. They come in probably 10-20 flavors ranging from sweet to savory, and container sizes ranging from snack bags to 2-3 pound bags. Smokehouse is classic; my favorite is wasabi. https://www.bluediamond.com/brand/snack-almonds?gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1274981?cb=(California produces 80% of the world’s almonds.)

Sriracha sauce, but I’m guessing that’s pretty universal by now.

 

[thirdrock]

I second (or third) Snyder’s pretzels.

Girl Scout Cookies

Corn Nuts

Hostess Fruit Pies

Slim Jims

Jiffy Cornbread

Just a bit of advice…It’s best to have your affairs in order before you start partaking of American junk food.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

You're so much better than me, melloyellow!!!! My

hubs is going to the US on Sunday and I told him to go to Costco and get a tennis bracelet!

Difference between you and me might be that you'll actually get what you asked for and my husband will just tell me that our local card doesn't work over there

 

[MMtwo]

I second (or third) Snyder’s pretzels.

Girl Scout Cookies

Corn Nuts

Hostess Fruit Pies

Slim Jims

Jiffy Cornbread

Just a bit of advice…It’s best to have your affairs in order before you start partaking of American junk food.

great list!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Thank you so much everyone!!!! Loving all the suggestions! He made it to a Trader Joe's!!!

If you think of anything else, keep on posting! He's got a car so he can get around.

Also if you know of any good discount malls for clothes (I don't know if this is a thing or people just make it up) and any good restaurants around the area let me know in the thread!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[kgizo]

If there is a Penzeys nearby he could get some spice mixes because they are small and light so easy to transport. And, is there anything more American than ranch dressing?!

 

[Arcadian]

Thank you so much everyone!!!! Loving all the suggestions! He made it to a Trader Joe's!!!

If you think of anything else, keep on posting! He's got a car so he can get around.

Also if you know of any good discount malls for clothes (I don't know if this is a thing or people just make it up) and any good restaurants around the area let me know in the thread!!!

Thank you!!!

There's tons of malls but as I don't live there I have no idea. might not be in the immediate area at any rate.

For clothing though TJMaxx and Marshalls can be good. TJ's especially if its a runway store.

 

[rainbowstarry]

Clothes places for discount:
Target
Great Mall
There are also some discount clothing stores at Westgate Mall which is close by to Cupertino

Other TJ items to check out:
hatch valley green salsa!!
Mochi cake mix
Seasonings like Everything but the bagel, mushroom - umami seasoning
maple syrup

Thank you so much everyone!!!! Loving all the suggestions! He made it to a Trader Joe's!!!

If you think of anything else, keep on posting! He's got a car so he can get around.

Also if you know of any good discount malls for clothes (I don't know if this is a thing or people just make it up) and any good restaurants around the area let me know in the thread!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[737liz]

As an american abroad who goes home with an empty suitcase just for shopping, I'd say don't expect to find fancy food. My case ends up full of junk food and the rare jar of artisinal jam. America does weird flavors of candy and hot sauces really well . Cheesy pasta is ubiquitous around the world now, but kraft macaroni has fun shapes for kids, or 30 somethings like myself who refuse to grow up! Sees chocolate is VERY sweet, so depending on your tastes, it may not be something you'd appreciate. Mexican seasoning and, oddly, celery salt for bloody marys are on my list. Vitamins and drugs like paracetamol can be bought in bulk for pennies.

If your husband is anything like mine, letting him pick will end in one or 2 things that you probably could get back home anyways. Best to peruse online and give him a list!

 

[whitewave]

Do you all have sour patch kids? I hear this is a hot commodity in other parts of the world

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Thank you so much everyone!!!! Loving all the suggestions! He made it to a Trader Joe's!!!

If you think of anything else, keep on posting! He's got a car so he can get around.

Also if you know of any good discount malls for clothes (I don't know if this is a thing or people just make it up) and any good restaurants around the area let me know in the thread!!!

Thank you!!!

He has to go to Lazy Dog's. It's a restaurant on Cupertino's "main street" (which is pretty much just a nicer strip mall over by Apple). Anyways, their food is amazing (e.g. sticky ribs and umami fries! With a mint strawberry shortcake for dessert!). They also have a huge selection of beers if your DH is into that.

Another place that could be fun is Marukai Market. Very clean and well-stocked store with mostly Japanese goodies. They even have a huge sushi/sashimi section in the back. There's a huge Asian population in Cupertino. So most of the eateries and shopping I used to go to when I was in CA were Asian as well. But I'm always happy to give recommendations when it comes to food!

Word of caution: in case your DH hasn't noticed by now, traffic in the Bay Area, especially the South Bay where Cupertino is, is a friggin nightmare. For example, Cupertino to the Great Mall in the city of Milpitas was like, a 20 minute drive without any traffic. Then 30-35 minutes once there's a few cars on the road. But once you hit 4pm? Woowee. 50-75 minutes easily. And this was about 5 years ago. I can only imagine traffic has gotten even worse since then.

So my point is... make sure he really plans out his itinerary beforehand. Even places that look really closeby can take forever to get to if say, there's a gnarly intersection he has to go through.

Gr, this brings back memories. So many wonderful things to do in the Bay Area. But the traffic...sweet jebus the traffic...

 

[April20]

Dot's Pretzels! They have original (it's seasoned), southwest and honey mustard. I like them all, but I'm especially partial to the honey mustard currently.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@AnastasiaBeaverhausen thank you so much for the traffic advice!!!! I've sent your entire post to him!!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Dot's Pretzels! They have original (it's seasoned), southwest and honey mustard. I like them all, but I'm especially partial to the honey mustard currently.

Are they the fresh ones or in a pack? I love packet pretzels (Never had a fresh one)!!! We can only get them with salt here.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

@AnastasiaBeaverhausen thank you so much for the traffic advice!!!! I've sent your entire post to him!!!

I could go on about Cupertino. But the food there really is amazing.

 

[mustangchi]

Another vote for See's candies! Love that stuff and cannot wait for when they have a pop up shop near me and Christmas and Valentine's Day! It is the best!

 

[rainbowstarry]

Right now there is big basketball finals and Bay Area Golden State Warriors are in it. So getting a warriors tshirt might be something

Sometimes they have them for good price at Old Navy stores or most malls will have a sports store but tends to be pricey

 

[sweet_blossom]

Trader Joe's Bamba Peanut Snacks (peanut butter puff)

 

[babs23r]

Good and plenty! If you like black licorice…

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@AnastasiaBeaverhausen he had the ribs you recommended!!! He said they were fabulous!!! Yes he is a beer man!

He is going to that mall on the weekend! Haha my big boy going out in the world! It's the first time he's buying his own clothes in 20 years!!!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

@AnastasiaBeaverhausen he had the ribs you recommended!!! He said they were fabulous!!! Yes he is a beer man!

He is going to that mall on the weekend! Haha my big boy going out in the world! It's the first time he's buying his own clothes in 20 years!!!

*tear* I'm so happy...

 

[Elizabeth35]

Do you have graham crackers in Oz? If not-maybe makings for s'mores. Graham crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Not a snack per se, and not particularly Californian (although there are at least two growers in California): wild rice. He should be able to find it at Whole Foods Market - and he should look for just wild rice, not a blend. (Wild rice is primarily raised in the Midwest, which seems to have a penchant for using Cream of Mushroom Soup in its casseroles etc, so many wild rice recipes call for a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup - so asking him to also get a can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom would not be out of order. It is possible to find online recipes without it too, but it takes a bit of digging!)

Blue Diamond flavored almonds. They come in probably 10-20 flavors ranging from sweet to savory, and container sizes ranging from snack bags to 2-3 pound bags. Smokehouse is classic; my favorite is wasabi. https://www.bluediamond.com/brand/snack-almonds?gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1274981?cb=(California produces 80% of the world’s almonds.)

Sriracha sauce, but I’m guessing that’s pretty universal by now.

I read today Sriracha is again in short supply so it wouldn't hurt to bring sold home if he has room
I've read the American one and the Asian one is differnt
I just checked, our local countdosn (Woolworths) has the Asian one in stock so i better get one next shop

 

[DAF]

OK, since we're talking TastyKakes, I have to mention Entenmann's chocolate donuts. I agree that Trader Joes's is a great place to shop, as are TJMaxx, Marshall's and HomeGoods.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

OK, since we're talking TastyKakes, I have to mention Entenmann's chocolate donuts. I agree that Trader Joes's is a great place to shop, as are TJMaxx, Marshall's and HomeGoods.

Entenmann's anything really. Do they still make the cheese danish bread or whatever it's called? Haven't seen that in foreeeever.

 

[VRBeauty]

If your you have a seriously buff sweet tooth…
Little Debbie’s Nutty Buddies, available in most any big grocery store.