If the name of the restaurant has the word "Express" in it, it probably ain't authentic. Similarly, the name should be in a foreign language. They aren't catering to you -- they're catering to people from their country, and that's what you want.
If the name of the place is a sexual pun and they sell t-shirts inside, sold by their teenage kid on the register, it is probably good enough.
Bonus points for the place if the kid tries to up-sell you on whatever you ordered while his grandmother/cook looks at him confused with that "I don't understand you" stare.
A lot of the real quality ethnic places don't combine food from multiple countries. Also, a lot of the stuff on tlhe menu shouldn't be identifiable to you. For instance, an authentic Chinese place around here serves curdled pigs blood. You won't see that shit at panda express. And pretty much everything you people think of as Mexican food is really just tex mex.
Regional food vs a country's take on food from other cultures is really interesting to me. I get into arguments/debates with el husband about Mexican food all the time. Within the country of Mexico there is regional variety and then within the US there is a ton of difference based on where you are. EH is from southern Cali and I'm from Alabama. I have family in Texas. I've had fast food Mexican from all these places as well as more "authentic" versions of Mexican food. It's all over the place. Southern Cali Mex has a lot of baja style as well as more authentic stuff. Tons of corn tortillas, like street tacos made with small corn tortillas and shredded pork. Texmex always seems to have way too much rice for my taste. And the stuff around here is sorta baja style but generally pretty Americanized and you won't really find many things with corn tortillas. It's mostly flour, even their enchiladas. My husband's Mexican aunt taught him how to make enchiladas and he taught me, and it is with corn tortillas so that one time my mom made flour tortillas, I was pretty grossed out. I think there might have even been some American cheese floating around on that pan of enchiladas. The sole reason for my desire to travel far and wide is so that I can stuff my gullet with all sorts of food. One day....
I think I just accidentally got drunk. The husband took the kids to his parents house and I'm folding laundry, gin and tonic by my side. I've folded a total of 10 articles of clothing. Whoops.
I hate to brag, but I'm kind of mediocre at this trivia game at the bar. We got second place twice. We are on our third round. This was the hardest. A lot of the questions are old. AND NO I DON'T KNOW THOSE ANSWERS. But we've got a ringer here. Plus lots of philly sports questions. Our group is called 6 Boobs.
You're in good company. I'm getting on purpose drunk and it is wonderful. Revel in the booze, Ab. Revel in it!
I will! I don't even remember the last time I got drunk. I'm listening to music on youtube and pretending to fold laundry, it's glorious!
I am on pandora but same difference. I had kind of a rough day and normal, well adjusted adults console themselves with alcohol, right? Wine is wonderful. Talk about a mood lifter. I probably need to cut myself off soon because this stuff creeps up on me and the next thing I know, I'll be worshiping the porcelain god over in the other room. Speaking of porcelain. In highschool and college I took a bunch of pottery classes and loved the hell out of it. I wonder if I can pay somebody to let me use their shit to make some shit. Oh! I know a guy. He's a typical potter and deranged and poor, so this could work.
Sounds like a great idea. I was terrible at pottery in high school. I'm not coordinated enough for that shit. I'll stick to my knitting for my creative outlet. I should probably finish my sweater while it's still cold outside. I thought I'd have one gin and tonic, here I am 4 or 5 (or 6 or 7?!) later and I am feeling it! I'm glad though, this has been a long damned day. First I realized after I"d been at work for half an hour that I had put my shirt on inside out. Then I get home from work and my 3 year old shits her pants. She knows how to fucking use the toilet. I don't know if Travis knew I needed a break and that's why he took the kids or if it was just a coincidence, either way, I'll fucking take it. Don't call me Nitwit, but I've been listening to Ben Nichols and I feel like I need to share:
Re: How many nipples? We've officially changed our names to the Always a Bridesmaids aka The Also Rans. We've come in second five rounds so far.
I just hired three teachers today. One is an old soul stuck in a young person's body and her eyes lit up when I was talking to her about an infant room position. (She's going to be my son's lead teacher when he starts school there.) Second is also young, used to work for the company at another school, hit hard times because she was chasing boyfriends around the country and came back home. The last is a girl for whom this is literally her first job -- everyone has to start somewhere, and she has a great personality and wants to teach children; I took an educated shot. I remember when someone gave me a shot at my first job, and 10 years later I'm still here. Accordingly, I'm celebrating with way too much cheap wine and watching episodes of "Rediculousness." One of my favorite things I get to do in my job is interview teachers. The worst is having to call them and tell them they didn't get the job. The best is when I get to shake their hand and say "welcome to the family." And I get celebratory wine drunk whenever I meet those people I can't help but break the rules and hire on the spot.