[EliRivers]

In my experience (in the South, Naples region), the tradition of the food is more important than the actual food. I got so sick of Italian cuisine when I was living in Italy; the range of food available is surprisingly limited. People wrote to their local papers decrying foreign restaurants.

[wrongc0ntinent]

The bit about tradition is true. Some of the worst pizza I've had was in italy, right next door to the best pizza I've ever had. Once made the mistake of telling this to an Italian.

[EliRivers]

Once made the mistake of telling this to an Italian.

God yes. It's a matter of faith for some that they have the best food, that's all there is to it, and there's no point in having food from other places.