[hifromLA]

This does not in any way reflect the America that I live in. The many immigrant communities that have made this city their home have high expectations for their food regardless of price point leading to a great variety of inexpensive and delicious food.

The produce is amazing and there are places to get great quality produce at a reasonable price.

There are dozens of locally baked breads for sale in local grocery stores.

So what’s the point of making such a generalized assertion? America is a big country and in my America the food is fucking dank.

[tayo42]

Have you left the US and ate well? For what ever reason the food immigrants brought often isn't that great compared to what you get in the original country. Or there might be one spot that does it legit. But this food often made to cater to american tastes.

Thai food in the US is nothing like what you will get in Thailand. Average ramen in japan is better then US. Same for sushi. Mexican food drops off quickly the further you get away from san diego/tijuana. We just don't have the freshest ingredients for some of dished from places far away.

[GuardianCaveman]

Counterpoint - I've had several people including vietnamese americans say that the pho you get in the US is better than what's in Vietnam because of the food inspectors and other government systems that ensure a safe food supply line and cooking preparation area etc versus Vietnam. I'll tell you I lived in Colombia and the best bandeja paisa is in texas versus the places in Colombia. I've spent years in Mexico and I can find mexican food that is almost as good. Nothing beats ramen in japan or sushi for that matter but some of the best sushi i ever ate was in a large city in the middle east and I've done several trips to Japan.

Americans aren't as stupid as you assume we are. We know often food like Chinese and Mexican is catered to us but the same happens all over. It's not like we're some special lazy garbage people. If you go to Spain and order Chinese, it's made to accomdate their tastes.

[theylovezmw]

> If you go to Spain and order Chinese, it's made to accomdate their tastes.

Just like how pho and bandeja paisa in America is accommodated for the American palette which would be why Americans (I'm assuming you are American) would prefer their version of the dish over the country of origin's version?

Furthermore maybe you like the Middle East's sushi more because the Middle East has no sushi legacy and can appeal to the Western palette more?

I agree that America can have incredible cuisine that rivals other countries, but that's sort of the article's point - the majority of America is still devoid of this excellence.

[tayo42]

It's funny you mention that about vietnam. I have read that online a few times. I've mentioned it to a few vietnamese-american friends and they looked at me like I'm crazy. There are a lot of places taking shortcuts with pho in the US though.

I dont think americans are stupid,we just don't grow up eating food that is interesting and don't get used it. we eat carbs, sugar, butter/cream with lean cuts of meat. it takes work to explore food beyond that, so it doesn't happen and we get watered down international cuisines

[tafda]

You need a immigrant community large enough to be cooking for their own palate. Los Angeles, for example, has a population of ~30K Thai, ~180K Japanese, and ~5M Mexican origin (numbers from Pew).

Plenty of options in LA for northern, Isaan, central and southern Thai between Western Ave and Thai Town, and pretty good ramen, soba, and sushi in Sawtelle, Little Tokyo or Torrance. Perhaps not best in the world, but not at all catering to American tastes and could rank above average in the origin country.

[GuardianCaveman]

I spent time in Korea and with Koreans in the US and they've told me that food in Koreatown in L.A. is better than Seoul.

[tayo42]

The food can exist, but you need to really search it out. That is different then if we had a strong food culture, this food wouldn't be hidden away in ethnic ghettos.

[tafda]

Sure, good example of that is r 3.4 out of 5 on the Japanese restaurant review site Tabelog is miles better as a signal of good food than any number of 5 star yelp reviews in the US.

My larger point was that LA and NYC (and specific communities in other cities —SF, Houston, etc) have a subculture that celebrates true renditions of various cuisines as cooked by an self-sustaining immigrant community large enough to not require external validation by Americans lacking in food culture to stay in business. You have to get lucky in most of the rest of the states.

[ChatGTP]

I was in Europe (France, Spain, Germany) recently and the food was just better, every meal I had was delicious and much much more affordable than the US. The vibe of the restaurants and cafe in Spain was remarkable. It was like New Year’s Eve every night of the week.

Even the service at restaurants was absolutely outstanding and there is no tipping culture.

It personally just think food is the culture and America does not have that culture I’m sorry to say. Am I saying the food is bad in the USA ? Not at all. But it’s not in our DNA.

There are exceptions of course, Netherlands ? I still don’t know what they specialise in ? Sandwiches ?

America focuses on GDP and productivity, we kick ass there. USA !!!

[lom]

This comment was so obviously written by someone with no clue before I even saw the username

[4wsn]

What, you don't enjoy German dining where the vast majority of restaurants serve food made in a factory? What an unsophisticated palette you have. /s

https://youtu.be/wzc_VNh42HM?si=ngrOt5nHsadPCRuR

[ChatGTP]

German food, great sandwiches, find me a better airport to eat in America than Munich?

[4wsn]

To be honest I never really compared airport food because I barely eat when traveling so I'll concede this one.

[ChatGTP]

Honestly this is what I meant by food culture.

Austin airport is ok, they have salt lick bbq, but that’s about the best thing I’ve had in an American airport.

In Spain recently I had one of the nicest Spanish ham and cheese sandwiches I can remember.

In the USA and Australia food feels more like a business, in my opinion in the flag ship European counties decent food is a right. Japan is similar too. When I’m in the USA I hang on review sites because it’s so hit and miss, in Tokyo or Barcelona I’ll happily just walk around and try random places.

[ChatGTP]

The best food in America is Mexican.