{"id":628720,"date":"2026-04-24T22:17:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/628720\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T22:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:17:18","slug":"american-expat-reveals-food-item-everyone-visiting-australia-has-to-try-elite-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/628720\/","title":{"rendered":"American expat reveals food item everyone visiting Australia ‘has to try’: ‘Elite choice’"},"content":{"rendered":"

An American<\/a> has been blown away by one Aussie delicacy<\/a> that people gravitate towards after a night out.<\/p>\n

While there’s technically no wrong time to chow down on a halal snack pack<\/a> (HSP), the end of an evening is when those flavours can really pop.<\/p>\n

An HSP can be found at most kebab shops in the country and features fries, chicken or doner style meat<\/a>, and sauce. People also add cheese<\/a> to it.<\/p>\n

New Jersey native Silas Benedict has been in Australia for eight months<\/a> and said locals kept telling him to order an HSP. So he finally obliged their requests and was stunned when he ripped into it.<\/p>\n

“What I like about it is how it brings everything together,” the online transformation coach told Yahoo Lifestyle.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

“It feels like a really good example of Australia\u2019s food culture in general; that mix of different influences coming together into something that people just enjoy.<\/p>\n

“I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s traditionally ‘Australian’, but it definitely feels like a product of the culture here.”<\/p>\n

\"Silas<\/p>\n

Silas has been taste testing loads of Aussie food and was blown away when he tucked into an HSP for the first time. Source: TikTik\/fitbyfriday<\/p>\n

When he first gave the delicious dish a try, he got both meats as well as barbecue, garlic, and sweet chilli sauce.<\/p>\n

It’s clear he was an immediate fan, as he questioned “where has this been all my life?” and called it one of the top three things he’s eaten in Australia.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share? Contact au.lifestyle.ent@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Silas posted his review on social media and he was flooded with other HSP fans.<\/p>\n

“I don’t feel like Aussies are hyping up HSP enough. I asked for stuff to try and NO ONE mentioned it. It’s so good,” a fellow American said.<\/p>\n

“Elite choice. You are one of us,” another said.<\/p>\n

“HSP is the best food ever in general,” a third added.<\/p>\n

\"Silas<\/p>\n

Silas said he loves halal snack packs, adding there isn’t much similar in the US. Source: TiktoK\/@fitbyfriday<\/p>\n

“The HSP is the triumph of Australian multiculturalism,” a fourth said.<\/p>\n

Silas said the closest thing back home would be a halal food cart, particularly in New York City.<\/p>\n

He said it’s often served as chicken over rice with white and red sauce.<\/p>\n

What other Aussie foods has Silas had?<\/p>\n

During his time here, Silas has tried other Aussie staples like the chicken parmigiana and said it’s been top notch.<\/p>\n

“Pub food in general has been really solid,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The cafe culture here is also a huge standout for me.<\/p>\n

“The coffee and pastries are on another level. Vanilla slice is probably one of my favourites, and Tim Tams obviously live up to the hype.”<\/p>\n

However, he said there were some foods he thought were a bit “overrated”, like the iconic sausage roll.<\/p>\n

Silas said he’d choose a meat pie any day of the week over it, and also considered Australia’s version of KFC a little “overhyped”.<\/p>\n

“Overall, though, I\u2019ve really enjoyed exploring the food scene here. There\u2019s a lot more variety than people might expect, and it\u2019s been fun sharing that with my audience,” he said.<\/p>\n

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n