A few weeks (or even months) ago I came to an odd realization. Within half a block of my office there are eateries that feature cuisine from each of the Axis Powers of World War II. Many people have noted (for decades now) that a sign of just how much things have changed in the world can be seen in the connection between our nation and its former wartime enemies.
Of course America is also the land of the immigrant, and features cuisine from all over the world - and did so even before we went to war with various countries.
In this case, we have Seigfried's Delicatessen: Authentic German food right down to the spaetzle, red cabbage, and hot potato salad. The Olive Garden (it's kind of Italian, right?), right next to The Olive Bistro (a local shop) represent the other half of the Rome-Berlin Axis. I'm even adjacent to Salt Lake's Benihana location: Japanese sushi and teppanyaki. Yes, downtown Salt Lake does feature "ethnic food"* and it's quite good.
I haven't even mentioned the Greek and Tex-Mex options.
*This is a term most Americans use when referring to foods of "other" ethnicities. It fails to acknowledge the possibility that one's own culture may constitue an "ethnic group". Are hamburgers only "ethinic food" in countries where they aren't as typical? Can they even be an "ethnic food"? If not, why not? Does the rampant commonality of Mexcian food in Utah make it non-ethinic here? I leave such reflections, to you, my readers. I certainly haven't got a sure-fire, witty answer for you.
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What a striking thought to have.
Perhaps the kind that might be most likely to come to someone with some training/indoctrination in modern American military history...!
Is it too soon for Russian food to join in?
On a more serious note, outside of the 1820-1920 heyday of "the land of opportunity for immigrants", we now have quite a bit of competition. Although NYC can hold its own fairly well in this, Toronto, London and Sydney (or Melbourne) are often claimed as "the most multi-cultural cities in the world" over NYC or San Francisco...
and of course, in this century, anti-terrorist measures have understandably done a number on most countries' welcome mats, certainly including ours.
There's no knowing where we're going, here...
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