"American" food from a non-U.S. perspective?
Jul 11, 2009, 10:00 am
#16
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What is American food exactly? I thought it was a big pot and all went into it.
I think their is Pizza Hut all over the world, that is distinctly american, NOT italian! It is a terrible place to eat, and it is a shame anyone would think it is italian. Even the 'spaghetti and meatballs' is american, not italian.
Basically american food is, take some part of the world's food, mix it with another part of world's food, and sometimes you come out with a great thing(some could argue spag and meatballs as such) and sometimes you end up with a terrible mess.
I think their is Pizza Hut all over the world, that is distinctly american, NOT italian! It is a terrible place to eat, and it is a shame anyone would think it is italian. Even the 'spaghetti and meatballs' is american, not italian.
Basically american food is, take some part of the world's food, mix it with another part of world's food, and sometimes you come out with a great thing(some could argue spag and meatballs as such) and sometimes you end up with a terrible mess.
Jul 11, 2009, 3:14 pm
#17
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Frankfurt a/m seems to have a few "real" American style steakhouses. Probably because of the expat banker community.
Jul 11, 2009, 3:34 pm
#18
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Apparently to the marketing folks at Wagner frozen Pizza in Germany, nothing says “Texas” more than mozzarella and pepperoni.
”Boston” means mozzarella, spinach, onions, and... almonds.
”Boston” means mozzarella, spinach, onions, and... almonds.
Jul 11, 2009, 11:30 pm
#19
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If we were to go out and get some Indian, Chinese or etc - we'd most likely say "lets go get some Chinese" because the restaurant isn't exactly a big chain - like McDonalds or similar.
That, and you can't go to a restaurant here that is classed as American. McDonalds isn't billed as "McDonalds, American cuisine"
A Thai place would be "Onni's, Thai Cuisine" - so the naming convention doesn't work the same.
Jul 11, 2009, 11:44 pm
#20
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Jul 11, 2009, 11:58 pm
#21
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I can think of dozens of restaurants in other countries where some menu items are either what I would consider modern american cuisine, or where some element of american cuisine has influenced a particular dish.
I view the increasing appearance of grilled fish with "California style" veggies and a baked potato for instance as an american inspired dish. Same with salads with a piece of chicken or fish thrown in and some types of steak or pizza.
However, going out specifically for American cuisine? The closest thing that comes to mind is people going out to american themed restaurants to emulate the experience of being in america, not necessarily to eat american food. I'll use the example of Pakistan, where brands like McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, TGIF, etc are much more popular than their franchisee's ever thought they would be. Most Pakistanis are mono-paleted, refusing to eat any foreign cuisine other than Chinese and perhaps Thai (Nothing else is spicy enough!). However, the popularity of american restaurants has skyrocketed largely as a function of the desire of urbanites to emulate american life and culture, not particularly because they enjoy the food. I got an inkling of this in China recently, and certainly thought this was the case in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong in the 80's.
I view the increasing appearance of grilled fish with "California style" veggies and a baked potato for instance as an american inspired dish. Same with salads with a piece of chicken or fish thrown in and some types of steak or pizza.
However, going out specifically for American cuisine? The closest thing that comes to mind is people going out to american themed restaurants to emulate the experience of being in america, not necessarily to eat american food. I'll use the example of Pakistan, where brands like McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, TGIF, etc are much more popular than their franchisee's ever thought they would be. Most Pakistanis are mono-paleted, refusing to eat any foreign cuisine other than Chinese and perhaps Thai (Nothing else is spicy enough!). However, the popularity of american restaurants has skyrocketed largely as a function of the desire of urbanites to emulate american life and culture, not particularly because they enjoy the food. I got an inkling of this in China recently, and certainly thought this was the case in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong in the 80's.
Last edited by PhlyingRPh; Jul 12, 2009 at 2:50 am
Jul 12, 2009, 12:17 am
#22
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Jul 12, 2009, 12:30 am
#23
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Outside of the usual fast food joints, I guess the first concept that appeared in the UK, 20 years ago?, of an 'American' food restaurant was TGI Fridays; which is still here and still relatively successful. As mentioned above, other franchises (same food, different name on the door) have tried to establish themselves and quickly failed.
But in answer to the question; it's no. If you were going to suggest going to Fridays you'd say exactly that, not "How about American?"
We certainly have our fair share of faux American 50's style diners with the usual burgers, fries, melts, malts etc. and some of them, here in Ireland anyway, are pretty good.....and pretty expensive to boot!
But in answer to the question; it's no. If you were going to suggest going to Fridays you'd say exactly that, not "How about American?"
We certainly have our fair share of faux American 50's style diners with the usual burgers, fries, melts, malts etc. and some of them, here in Ireland anyway, are pretty good.....and pretty expensive to boot!
Jul 12, 2009, 6:14 am
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This one was in Leumeah, just a block west of the railway station.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...h&z=16&iwloc=A
We didn't eat there, choosing more often instead (well, three times throughout the week) to eat at the MUCH more authentically Australian Red Rooster. (Hey, it beats any chicken place in the U.S., including Chick-Fil-A! 
)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...h&z=16&iwloc=A
We didn't eat there, choosing more often instead (well, three times throughout the week) to eat at the MUCH more authentically Australian Red Rooster.
(Hey, it beats any chicken place in the U.S., including Chick-Fil-A! )I like Red Rooster, especially the chips but Chick-Fil-A is better IMO.
Jul 13, 2009, 1:18 am
#25
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'Course, Chick-Fil-A is on green grass for me, since I have to travel thousands of miles to find one. I still like Red Rooster better!
Jul 13, 2009, 7:25 am
#26
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Bahhh, Chick-Fil-A is over-rated [and ALL are closed on sundays]... There is one less than 2 miles from my place and I've never set foot in it.
As far as "American" food in other countries, there are plenty of American-style places in the UK (think TGI Friday's) but I've always found them to be overpriced, more like a novelty than mainstay. That's probably the reason why they have a hard time succeeding...
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