[brandonmenc]

> To those of us who grew up in this culture, it's ridiculous (almost bordering on offensive).

Both of my parents are half Italian-American, and that's the tradition in which I was raised.

My relatives who actually came off the boat loved Buca di Beppo. And Olive Garden, etc. (Of course we all know it's not as good as home cooking, but who cares when you just want something fast.)

Honestly, Italian-Americans have no one to blame but ourselves for exalting gangster culture and caricatures. We love that stuff.

[monksy]

BUT WHY?! That's just concerning. (After eating at places in Italy, you miss that italian cooking.. no mushy overcooked pasta)

[brandonmenc]

Does McDonalds make the best hamburger? Does Taco Bell make the best burrito? Does Pizza Hut make the best pizza?

No, but I still eat at every single one of them all the time.

If I'm in flyover country, nothing beats the $19 Tuscan Steak at Olive Garden. Maybe some day I'll go to Italy and then never eat "fake" Italian food ever again, but I doubt it.

[luckydata]

speak for yourself?