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I'd go nuts if there was nothing around but pizza, burgers, and ethnic food. I like Italian, but I never have been a fan of any type of Asian cuisine.
I prefer my good ole Southern comfort food.
In NJ, Italian food and pizza is as common as Southern comfort food is in the South.
I do have to say I don't know why we have so many Chinese places. Only one is sit down though, and that's an Asian fusion place, with Thai food and sushi as well. The other Chinese places are take-out only and are very small.
We have all types of restaurants where I live with all types of food but we have the most pizzerias, followed by Chinese places. NJ is also known for diners, where you can order pretty much anything at any time and we have a couple in my town.
With all ethnic cuisines, the quality is directly correlated to the size of the city, and there are very, very few exceptions to this rule.
I understand what you're saying, and I can see a wisp of truth to this, but I still disagree. I spend a lot of time in small towns travelling around, and many of them have great holdover ethnic spots (like an old German spot that's been in the family for years). These places are part of the local fabric, and often they don't even think of them as "ethnic." Many others have a strong ethnic presense due to immigration history, example: Iron Mountain, MI. Way up in the UP northwoods there is a large North End Italian enclave (NFL coach and analyst Steve Mariucci & future HoF Michigan State coach Tom Izzo were from this enclave and grew up together) in Iron Mountain, population 7,000, and you can get all kinds of great Italian food there.
When I discovered pho I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Thankfully it's not only readily available at several local Vietnamese/Asian restaurants - it's also super easy to make.
Another venue that's becoming more popular around here are the Asian markets. Unique and inexpensive for the most part, especially their produce and seafood items. If you haven't ever had a baked Japanese sweet potato, you owe it to yourself to run out to your local Asian market and buy a couple. They're so fabulous and flavorful that they barely need salt and they certainly don't need butter or sugar or any other added flavors. YUM!
The next time you find yourselves in North Georgia Kathryn, check this place out. They're amazing. Com Vietnamese Grill
We have all types of restaurants where I live with all types of food but we have the most pizzerias, followed by Chinese places. NJ is also known for diners, where you can order pretty much anything at any time and we have a couple in my town.
This! I'm guessing southernnaturelover would be right at home at a Jersey Diner, they're overall wonderful.
I love a good Diner, and we have quite a few in Atlanta. The ones that are closer in to the City here all tend to be Greek owned. Yum!
Haha, it was the same story in my city until recently.
The thing is that only good chefs make good food, but that doesn't stop bad chefs from opening restaurants where the competition is minimal. With all ethnic cuisines, the quality is directly correlated to the size of the city, and there are very, very few exceptions to this rule. IMO, the three cuisines that follow this "rule" to a T are Chinese, Indian and Mexican. When they are good, they are really good. When they are bad, they are really bad.
My city has a hugely competitive restaurant market and if its not a chain, it had better be excellent or it doesnt fly here.
All the food options are superb or the place wont last very long at all.
My city has a hugely competitive restaurant market and if its not a chain, it had better be excellent or it doesnt fly here.
All the food options are superb or the place wont last very long at all.
Doesn't add up - chains are rarely if ever "excellent." What is considered "superb" is quality local spots.
This! I'm guessing southernnaturelover would be right at home at a Jersey Diner, they're overall wonderful.
I love a good Diner, and we have quite a few in Atlanta. The ones that are closer in to the City here all tend to be Greek owned. Yum!
Nothing like going to a diner at 2 am and ordering pancakes.
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