Living in New York City, I am lucky enough to have access to so many different types of cuisine. If I am craving Thai, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Sushi, etc. it is always only a phone call and a few dollars away. However, as much as we enjoy foods from cultures outside of our own, we never really think about what food may represent to a culture, and in saying so, the effect that false representation of food can have on a culture. There is not a single one of my friends that would say new to a Taco Tuesday Happy Hour, or even a Chipotle burrito when we are in the mood for Mexican. However, after reading about someone like Rick Bayless who makes so much money off of a culture’s food that is not his own, I am beginning to realize the importance of knowing what foods are accurately representations of food, versus foods that are inspired by foods from a certain culture, but are very Americanized versions of it. I think that learning about different cultures through food can be an amazing way to become more open-minded and begin to understand about country or region that is different from your own. I am lebanese and I love having my friends try baklava and tabbouleh. However, I know not to have them try kibbeh for their first lebanese meal because raw meat can be intimidating. But that is a sad mindset to have. I feel as if we pick foods from cultures that are the most normal to us and declare it as “mexican” food or “lebanese” food, when in reality, these dishes in their original country would be served much differently. That being said I think it is important and a positive step to try new foods from places that are foreign to us, but it is also important to do research to see if what your eating is accurately representing the culture that is being portrayed on their sign out front.

This past Friday I went to Taqueria at St. Mark’s Place, and I actually caught myself thinking about how the menu was somewhat strange. But then I realized that it was listing authentic Mexican dishes and not just chicken tacos or nachos which I know to be more americanized versions of mexican cuisine. I ended up getting the carnitas tacos with guacaomole and a classic margarita, and I have to say they were so amazing!

I am definitely going to try and make a more conscious effort of researching a restaurant to see if their ownership and management aligns with the culture that they are profiting from. Because why use someone else’s culture to make money when everyone has their own to feel proud of?

I found this video on YouTube that I thought was very helpful in explaining the difference between authentic Mexican food and what restaurants like “Taco Bell” have led Americans to believe Mexican food is. It is definitely worth the watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTmQZ8SAMQ