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Again though, I'm really just interested in the "cheap/ethnic eats" category.
That's the thing though, the fancy pants restaurants are far far out numbered by ethnic foods from all over the world, and they are usually hole in the wall places and fairly cheap.
Houston throws a harder punch with ethnic foods than with fine dining.
I never said anything about Houston not having a great and diverse food scene. I was literally responding to the one contention that Houston is comparable to LA in terms of diversity and quality of cheap/ethnic food options.
Any argument I've heard so far for Houston in this regard sounds like an "LA minus" situation. Yes, of course there is diversity and quality in Houston's cheap food scene. Can it compare to LA? Still haven't heard that effectively argued.
That's the thing though, the fancy pants restaurants are far far out numbered by ethnic foods from all over the world, and they are usually hole in the wall places and fairly cheap.
Right, see but what I'm getting at is that this is LA's thing. That's our claim to fame, our little piece of global food-world real estate (at least give us this! ) LA has a huge, incredibly diverse population (much larger and much more diverse than Houston) with a long history of affordable/innovative/convenient dining. This is what we do best, better than anyone in the world, with the possible exception of NYC, because they have a slightly larger number of total cuisines represented.
Right, see but what I'm getting at is that this is LA's thing. That's our claim to fame, our little piece of global food-world real estate (at least give us this! ) LA has a huge, incredibly diverse population (much larger and much more diverse than Houston) with a long history of affordable/innovative/convenient dining. This is what we do best, better than anyone in the world, with the possible exception of NYC, because they have a slightly larger number of total cuisines represented.
if you are looking for verification on a message board then have at it
Any argument I've heard so far for Houston in this regard sounds like an "LA minus" situation. Yes, of course there is diversity and quality in Houston's cheap food scene. Can it compare to LA? Still haven't heard that effectively argued.
Proportionally speaking (since Houston is a smaller metro compared with LA) I would actually say yes. Los Angeles while still having a diverse food scene is still lacking in Carribean and African restaurants compared with Houston. However Los Angeles has far more diversity in Asian restaurants compared with Houston so it relatively evens out.
if you are looking for verification on a message board then have at it
I'm either looking for verification or contradiction, so far I've gotten neither sufficiently.
At the end of the day, there are many things keeping me in LA besides the wide assortment of cheap eats, but it's definitely something I really appreciate and enjoy. But I like to be aware, educated, etc. and know how different cities compare. I really enjoyed reading those Houston articles and would love to visit again.
I have long understood LA to be tops in the "cheap/ethnic eats" category (just like NYers grow up just knowing they have the best fine dining). When Houstoners say that LA and Houston are about even, I can't tell if they know something I don't know, or they don't know about LA.
My last post was how I understood it, how it's presented to me as a poor semi-foodie Angeleno. If I'm getting misinformation, please tell me. So far, aside from diablo's mention of caribbean/african cuisine I haven't heard any effective arguments.
I'm either looking for verification or contradiction, so far I've gotten neither sufficiently.
At the end of the day, there are many things keeping me in LA besides the wide assortment of cheap eats, but it's definitely something I really appreciate and enjoy. But I like to be aware, educated, etc. and know how different cities compare. I really enjoyed reading those Houston articles and would love to visit again.
I have long understood LA to be tops in the "cheap/ethnic eats" category (just like NYers grow up just knowing they have the best fine dining). When Houstoners say that LA and Houston are about even, I can't tell if they know something I don't know, or they don't know about LA.
My last post was how I understood it, how it's presented to me as a poor semi-foodie Angeleno. If I'm getting misinformation, please tell me. So far, aside from diablo's mention of caribbean/african cuisine I haven't heard any effective arguments.
Here is the thing Dweebo, the presentation of such an argument is not constructive. Its my word against a far more publicized city. i want to make myself clear, LA is no slouch....Their food scene is at World class levels. I am however of the opinion that Houston is on a World class level as well.
Im not sure what type of Validation you'd like, you yourself claimed that you based your opinion from the critics and journalist. If you'd give me sort of an outline or example of some "proof" that be convincing to you, let me know and ill see what i can do..
Houston is so far behind LA and NYC in terms of perception for 2 major reasons
1. Media outlets simply don't have a voice here in Houston, although we are the 4th largest city in the US...A metro area of 6 million...We have no Major media outlets station here....How many movies have you seen take place in houston? maybe 3 possibly seen movies? Urban Cowboy, sidekicks (flop)....You look at NYC, LA, and Miami....all Movies that are set in those cities. National papers: LA Times, and NYT.... Ours- A virtual unread paper in our own town The Houston Chronicle...
2. Tourism- It is pretty much non-existent. However i do see this changing within the next 5-10 years...and i mean a Dramatic change. Gambling is on the verge of legalization in this state, and Galveston, and kemah are hot spots for potential casino investors....plus multiple major theme parks in the works, 1 that is closer to breaking ground then the other.
All in all, we are moving up in the world in terms of perception. When this happens im sure their will be a continues flow of praise on our food scene. until then, i guess i will have to suffice in terms of opinion. Again, if you let me know what type of information your looking for...i will certainly do my best.
Thanks, HUM398. As I've said repeatedly, I completely understand why Houston wouldn't get the recognition it deserves. It appears that it's starting to get some of that, which is great (as I was saying, it took a long time for the media to appreciate LA's food scene).
Here's what I'm looking for specifically--some description of the Houston food scene that explains what qualities would make it's everyday food world comparable to LA's. (High-end is a different story and there are plenty of ways to rank and present that, and mostly based on adding up individual stellar restaurants).
In LA, here's the three things that make our everyday eating so good:
1. Diversity -- We have numerous "big-name" nationalities who have their largest populations outside of their home countries here, and this translates to amazing everyday ethnic food from many different major food traditions. Here are the nationalities which LA has the US's largest population of: Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese (by some accounts), Armenian, Iranian, Mexican, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan. Many regional cuisines and specialties from these nationalities are just not available outside of LA. You also just get incredible pho, ramen, tacos, korean bbq, pupusa places, etc all throughout the city. Not to mention a healthy representation of other cuisines from afghani to tibetan.
2. Farmers' Markets -- considered to have the most farmers' markets of any US city, in the country's largest agricultural state, translating to exceptional fresh ingredients used in restaurants of all kinds and levels.
3. Fast food/innovative food tradition -- the "food truck craze" started here, and we have far and away the largest food truck scene. This is just the latest in a looong tradition of southern california innovation in quality, affordable, convenient food trends. Just think of all the burger franchises that came out of here in the 50s. This tradition is alive and well and uniquely LA.
So, if you can put together a similar list for Houston, I'd love to read it. The recent NYT article mentioned the lack of zoning as being an interestingly unique Houston situation, are there more things like this?
I'm only talking about cheap food. I would guess Houston has some really great upper-crust dining options (hence making the top 10 lists). I just haven't heard any explanation of how the cheap/ethnic eats could be comparable.
That's more a description of Dallas, actually.
I think Houston makes the lists for food diversity all over, mostly at reasonable prices, as opposed to the upper-crust places.
^^ I've more often seen Houston on the top 10 "fine-dining" type lists such as Esquire's 2010 "best restaurant cities" list that's been posted on this thread already (more often than Dallas):
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) LA has a huge, incredibly diverse population (much larger and much more diverse than Houston) with a long history of affordable/innovative/convenient dining. This is what we do best, better than anyone in the world, with the possible exception of NYC, because they have a slightly larger number of total cuisines represented.