Originally Posted by AtomicLush
Hehehe. I think it's funny all the "foodies" out there will won't mind going to a P.F.Chang's, but won't step foot in an Olive Garden. To me, it's the same...Americanized ethnic food. And I'm a genuine HKG-born-naturalized-American, so I know the difference between real Chinese/Asian and Americanized versions. But guess what? I like it all...just like millions of other average Joe Shmoes. It doesn't have to be authentic to be tasty. Trust me, the majority of P.F.Chang fans won't want to eat fish cheeks, bird's nest, chicken feet, pork feet or beef tendons...that's about as authentic as it gets (and also pretty tasty if you ask me)!
As someone who grew up eating macaroni & Grandmom's sunday gravy, I find Olive Garden a culinary wasteland. However when I have talked to friends of Chinese descent they find Pei-Wei or PF Changs an abomination and I'm sure if any of my Mexican friends went to a Chi-Chi's they would be equally unimpressed.
But for those who do not have their preferences fixed by earlier experiences with these kinds of food - especailly when they are accompanied by memories of specail times with family and friends (I have given up eating red sauces in restaurants because they always fall short of my Grandmothers) - these restaurants offer a chance for some exposure to a different cuisine and can easily become personal favorites.
One quick note on Italian restaurants - I often find the experience and food is inversely related to price (and snootiness). I can not tell you how many times I have gone to some "hot" yuppy Italian restaurant - OC is littered with them - and been disappointed. My best Italian meals have invariably been at family run restaurants - usually run by someone of Italian heritage - where a full meal could be had for less then $10/person.