Originally Posted by
finlandia
I only discriminate if the lack of authenticity stems from a missing key feature in the food. For example, I've been looking for properly spicy Thai food ever since I came to DC. All the restaurants I've found so far have weakened their dishes for diners here. I've even asked for "Thai hot" to no avail. I have wait until I get back to HNL to get properly spicy Thai dishes.
This thread reminds me of that George Carlin routine. "What does 'New York-style pizza' mean? Not from New York!" Although crabbing is right in that you can get some really good sourdough in Maryland.
I find it difficult to get "authentically" spicy food even in Thailand. I think most people see me and automatically assume they need to tone down the spice. Asking for the food "spicy like Thai people like it" often fixes that, but not always.