Anyone else noticed this?

[Danbo1957]

The Germans settled along US 90 on the way to San Antonio, then in the Hill Country through San Antonio, not Austin. There are some really good old-line German restaurants in San Antonio. There is a lot of Czech history in Central Texas, as they came somewhat later than the Germans and settled to the east and southeast of Austin (and then the Poles to the southeast of San Antonio).

[CptnRn]

Austin is highly diverse compared to most of the northern states.

[CptnRn]

Adding to the above. Austin is*:

#1 (78701) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Cypriot first ancestries"

#19 (78737) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Australian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#30 (78735) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of British first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#32 (78737) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Alsatian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#51 (78734) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Bulgarian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#51 (78736) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Scotch-Irish first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#53 (78726) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Northern European first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#55 (78701) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Syrian first ancestries"
#55 (78701) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Arab/Arabic first ancestries"
#58 (78754) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of British West Indian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"

#65 (78725) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Basque first ancestries"
#66 (78703) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Turkish first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
#69 (78726) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Austrian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"

#83 (78703) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Scottish first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"

Seems pretty diverse to me.







* http://www.city-data.com/city/Austin-Texas.html

[CarnivalGal]

As illustrated on your maps, there is a large percentage of people with Hispanic origin. That one group makes up a HUGE portion of the "non-white" population in Austin. Those two groups make up about 84% of Austin's population (according to the 2010 census). That doesn't leave a whole lot of people left to fill in every other ethnic group. That is reflected in things like restaurant options, etc. It's not as though you see a big St. Patrick's Day parade here in town or have the public schools close for Jewish holidays because there would be so many kids out that day anyway. Doesn't happen.

Nonetheless, you're kind of illustrating my original point. When someone points out that they can't find a German restaurant here, or pierogies, or a deli, or rolls, etc. everyone says, "It's not NYC/Boston/Etc." But then others turn around and post things supposedly illustrating how diverse it is. It can't be both.

[Danbo1957]

It is diverse, just not with Italians, Irish, and Jews. Also, there's a lot of Asians in North Austin, some good eating around North Lamar and 183.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by mm57553

Nonetheless, you're kind of illustrating my original point. When someone points out that they can't find a German restaurant here, or pierogies, or a deli, or rolls, etc. everyone says, "It's not NYC/Boston/Etc." But then others turn around and post things supposedly illustrating how diverse it is. It can't be both.

The Austin MSA, with 1.8 million, cannot possibly be compared with a NYC with 19.8 million or Boston with 4.6 million. So, no - we are neither. The correct comparison is to similar sized MSAs like Nashville, San Jose or Virginia Beach. Compared to similar sized metros, we have an incredible diversity of dining options. But the sheer number disparity is going to create options that don't exist here, or in similar sized areas.

Second, by almost any measure, we are the leading city in the country for one of America's leading indigenous cuisines - barbeque. Are NYC or Boston "less diverse" because they have awful barbeque? No, just as we aren't because we don't have good pierogies. Our Mexican food is as good as their Italian. I like it that way. Seemingly, what is behind this is a idea that if I can't find what I had where I grew up, it must be a lesser place. Guess what? The Mexican food sucks in Virginia. Doesn't mean it is "less diverse".

Third - NYC starts the same day as AISD and gets out twenty days later. They have a holiday for National Sneezing Day. Meaningless.

So, for our size, we punch above our weight. Go to Virginia Beach and try to find a Jaoanese restaurant as good as Uchi. I dare you.