A Holiday Born from Cravings
National Junk Food Day, celebrated annually on July 21, is a love letter to the foods we’re told to avoid but secretly adore. Nobody knows exactly who started it—some say it was a group of food enthusiasts in 1985, others point to snack brands looking to boost sales. Either way, it’s become a cultural moment where Americans embrace their guilty pleasures without apology. According to a 2025 survey, 97% of Americans admit to having a go-to indulgence, with pizza (11%), ice cream (8%), and chocolate or candy bars (8%) topping the list. In Colorado, pizza reigns supreme, with 27% of residents naming it their top pick.
But this isn’t just about eating junk food. It’s about how communities, restaurants, and home kitchens turn this day into a spectacle. From quirky festivals to social media showdowns, here are the celebrations that make National Junk Food Day a feast for the senses—and the soul.
The South’s Fried Food Frenzy
In the South, junk food isn’t just a treat; it’s a way of life steeped in history and pride. National Junk Food Day becomes a stage for Southerners to showcase their deep-fried traditions. Take New Orleans’ Cafe Du Monde, a 160-year-old institution where beignets—pillowy, powdered-sugar-dusted pastries—are the star. On July 21, the line snakes around Jackson Square as locals and tourists alike celebrate with these indulgent bites.
Then there’s Nashville’s Prince’s Hot Chicken, where fiery, cayenne-laced chicken has been a staple since the 1930s. On National Junk Food Day, Prince’s sees crowds craving the burn, softened only by white bread and pickles. Atlanta’s Busy Bee Cafe joins the party, serving crispy fried chicken with gooey mac and cheese and buttery cornbread. These aren’t just meals—they’re cultural touchstones, tying generations together through flavor.
- Why It’s Special: Southern junk food celebrations are less about excess and more about heritage. These dishes carry stories, from family recipes to community pride.
- How to Join In: Visit a historic Southern eatery or try making your own fried chicken using Hannah Glasse’s 18th-century recipe, which calls for a vinegar-based marinade.
Build-Your-Own Junk Food Extravaganzas
Across America, restaurants are turning National Junk Food Day into a playground for creativity with build-your-own food bars. Forget pre-made burgers or standard fries—these spots let you craft your dream junk food masterpiece. Abbey Burger Bistro in Baltimore offers a checklist of toppings, from fried eggs to peanut butter, letting diners go wild. Mr. Fries Man, a California-based chain, takes fries to new heights with toppings like grilled shrimp, crab meat, or steak smothered in cheese.
In Florida, I Heart Mac & Cheese lets customers design their own mac bowls or grilled cheese sandwiches, piling on everything from bacon to pulled pork. Duck Donuts, with locations nationwide, serves warm, made-to-order donuts with custom glazes and toppings—think maple bacon or cookies-and-cream. These spots don’t just serve food; they hand you the reins, making every bite a personal statement.
- Pro Tip: Host your own build-your-own junk food bar at home. Set up a nacho station with chips, cheese, jalapeños, and quirky add-ons like gummy worms for the adventurous. Or try a donut bar with Duck Donuts-inspired recipes.
- Why It Works: Customization taps into America’s love for individuality. It’s not just eating—it’s creating something uniquely yours.
Social Media Snack Showdowns
National Junk Food Day isn’t confined to kitchens or restaurants—it’s taken over social media, where foodies battle it out with hashtags like #JunkFoodDay and #SnackAttack. Instagram and TikTok explode with photos and videos of over-the-top creations, from skyscraper burgers to ice cream sundaes dripping with hot fudge. In 2024, influencers like @FoodieFrenzy launched challenges, asking followers to share their wildest junk food combos—think potato chips dipped in chocolate syrup or pizza topped with gummy bears.
Local eateries get in on the action, too. Some offer special deals or limited-edition items, like beer-flavored Oreos or glow-in-the-dark candy, to mark the day. Others host photo contests, encouraging fans to post their junk food feasts for a chance to win gift cards. A Baltimore poll even asked residents to vote on their favorite unhealthy treats, with nachos and wings coming out on top.
- Get Involved: Share your own junk food creation on social media with #JunkFoodDay. Try something bold, like a Twinkie-stuffed taco, and see how many likes you rack up.
- The Emotional Hook: These challenges aren’t just fun—they tap into our need to connect and share joy through food, even if it’s just a silly photo of a candy-covered pizza.
The Potato Chip Pilgrimage
Did you know the potato chip was born out of spite? In 1853, chef George Crum, fed up with a customer complaining about soggy fries, sliced potatoes paper-thin, fried them crisp, and created an icon. On National Junk Food Day, Saratoga Springs, New York, where Crum worked, hosts a “Potato Chip Pilgrimage.” Fans flock to the site of the original Moon’s Lake House (now a historic marker) to celebrate with chip-tasting events and local craft brews.
Other towns have followed suit. In Ohio, Ballreich’s Chips hosts an annual chip fest, offering limited-edition flavors like dill pickle or hot honey. Attendees sample chips, vote on favorites, and learn about the surprisingly complex art of chip-making. It’s a reminder that even the humblest snack can spark a community celebration.
- Fun Fact: Potato chips were once a luxury item, served in fancy restaurants before becoming a grocery store staple.
- How to Celebrate: Visit a local chip maker or make your own chips at home using this simple recipe.
Junk Food Potlucks: A Community Affair
For many, National Junk Food Day is a chance to gather friends and family for a no-holds-barred potluck. The rules are simple: no kale, no quinoa, just pure indulgence. Picture tables groaning under the weight of pizza slices, buckets of fried chicken, and bowls of M&Ms. These potlucks are less about fancy presentation and more about shared joy—laughing over a spilled soda or debating whether tacos beat burgers.
One friend of mine, Sarah, hosts an annual Junk Food Day potluck in her Chicago backyard. Last year, her guests brought everything from deep-dish pizza to homemade Twinkie clones. The highlight? A blind taste test where everyone tried to guess the weirdest chip flavor (wasabi-ginger won). It’s messy, chaotic, and pure fun—a reminder that food can be a bridge to connection, even if it’s “unhealthy.”
- Try This: Host your own potluck with a twist, like a “junk food fusion” challenge where guests combine two snacks into something new (think nacho-stuffed donuts).
- Why It Matters: These gatherings remind us that food isn’t just fuel—it’s a way to build memories and strengthen bonds.
The Science of Snack Cravings
Why do we go so wild for junk food? It’s not just about taste. Studies show that high-calorie foods trigger the brain’s opioids and dopamine, creating a feel-good rush that’s hard to resist—especially when we’re stressed. That’s why a rough day sends you reaching for a candy bar, not a carrot.
But there’s a flip side. Research from 2001 to 2018 shows junk food consumption is linked to obesity, diabetes, and even mental health issues like depression. Among kids, junk food intake has stayed steady at about 17.5% of daily energy, while adults have slightly reduced theirs to 13%. Still, the average American eats 24 pounds of candy and 20 pounds of ice cream a year.
- A Healthier Spin: Some celebrate National Junk Food Day by tweaking recipes to be less harmful. Try making baked sweet potato fries or a healthier pizza crust.
- The Balance: Indulging one day a year won’t ruin your health, but it’s a chance to reflect on how often we lean on junk food for comfort.
Global Junk Food, American Style
America’s junk food culture has gone global, and National Junk Food Day reflects that. In Japan, you can find Kit Kats in flavors like matcha or sake, while Korea’s Cheong Woo Pumpkin Candy is a quirky treat. Some Americans use July 21 to explore these international snacks, ordering them online or hunting them down in specialty stores.
Restaurants like McDonald’s adapt to local tastes—think chicken or veggie patties in India—but in the U.S., it’s all about excess. Chains roll out limited-time items for the day, like triple-decker burgers or neon-colored shakes, capitalizing on our love for novelty.
- Explore the World: Order a box of international snacks from Try The World and host a global junk food tasting.
- The Bigger Picture: This global exchange shows how junk food transcends borders, becoming a universal language of indulgence.
The Future of Junk Food Day
National Junk Food Day isn’t just a one-day binge—it’s a mirror reflecting America’s complex relationship with food. It’s about joy, nostalgia, and creativity, but also a reminder to question how often we let cravings dictate our choices. As restaurants push customization and social media fuels foodie trends, this holiday will likely grow even wilder. Will we see virtual reality snack bars? AI-designed chip flavors? The possibilities are as endless as our appetites.
For now, National Junk Food Day is a chance to lean into the fun, connect with others, and maybe rediscover why that one candy bar still makes your heart sing. So, what’s your go-to junk food? Grab it, share it, or reinvent it—just don’t let the day pass without a little indulgence. After all, life’s too short to skip the fries.
