These days, Chinese restaurants usually take the form of urban carryout shops and suburban buffets. And they seem to be everywhere. Indeed, according to a review of a new book by
New York Times writer, Jennifer Lee, there are about 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S., "more than the number of McDonald's, Burger Kings, and KFCs combined." Indeed, she asserts, "Chinese food might be our national cuisine." How can this be? Surely there are more hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints and Mexican restaurants--to this I can attest by personal experience! In fact, my Peruvian son-in-law is pretty well convinced that he did not marry into an American family, but a Mexican one.
I do know they are popping up like wild onions in spring time around here. It seems that almost all of them have the same menu, taste, signage, etc. And, most of them are not really all that good. I like good Chinese food.
ReplyDeleteSushi places are also popping up.
Give me Barbecue, fried chicken, sea food, or Mexican any day.
I really like Thai food.
ReplyDeleteActually, there isn't really any food that I can't stand, except maybe a tofu and green sprouts dish.
I heard the author interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered and was intrigued by the fact that all the fortune cookies come from only TWO main sources....one of which is a non-English speaking elderly Chinese man who works out of his garage!
ReplyDeleteNo place but in America :)
Do you know why many Chinese-Americans get married on Thanksgiving or Christmas days?
ReplyDeleteThat is when the Chinese restaurants and take-out places are closed----guests to the wedding have the day off. At least, that is what a co-owner of a take-out place told me during one of our English tutoring sessions.