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Sunday, February 7, 2010
Eating in the U.S.A.
posted by Rick Blue at 23h23
Bar ...Restaurant ...Bait
There are things a Canadian has to get used to when dining in the United States.
The first thing is the size of the portions. The food is piled high. The rule of thumb seems to be – quantity not quality. There is no such notion as too much of a good thing. Enormous steaks will come with equally enormous mounds of melted cheese on top. And desserts will be large enough to feed a village in Bangaladesh.
The service is usually quicker, that goes without saying – American hustle and all that. And this can be a good thing when you are really hungry. But the quickness also extends to the clearing of the plates. Beware: if you stop eating for a few minutes, to tell a story or simply catch your breath, the server will be whisking your plate away from right under your nose.
Americans don't linger. They are in those restaurants to eat and leave, not to bask in an evening of fine food, wine and scintillating conversation.
And at the end of the meal, your server will ask you if you would like them to box the leftovers so you can take them home.
I can truthfully say that I have eaten at all kinds of restaurants in Montreal for more than 40 years and never once – no, not once – have I ever seen anyone leave with the remains of their dinner in a box.
And you would think that the word "dirty" in the name of a restaurant would be perceived as a negative thing. But in the U.S.A. it seems to denote a desirable place in which to eat.
For instance, one of the most popular restaurants on South Padre Island, Texas, a popular destination for Canadian Snowbirds, is called Dirty Al's. It is famous for its seafood, especially its Gulf shrimp. It also sells bait.
And all over Pheonix, Arizona, there are restaurants called The Dirty Drummer. I realize that among musicians this is simply an accepted fact, but it would seem to me that somewhere, sometime, a drummer will emerge who will object to this professional slur.
But the most striking example is a restaurant in Panama City, Florida, called Dirty Dick's. Once again, it a a seafood joint. But they are so confident of their chosen name and the image that comes with it that they sell T-Shirts that proudly proclaim: I got my crabs at Dirty Dick's.
Eating column
Lighten up, Yanks. I think this was meant to be funny.
US Food
You have obviously been spoiled by Mtl's excellent cuisine. But having been in some of the better diners and Mom style places, I have never found the food sub standard. The portions were large enough to put you in a stupor, but the food was good home style cooking.
And this is what the majority of Americans crave, judging by the average girth you see in every shopping mall and WalMart. Just enjoy and save the rest for midnight snack or breakfast.
I also agree with the
I also agree with the previous responses that this post serves no purpose except, I might add, to further inflate the arrogant and disdainful ego that the authour and so many Canadians have adopted. I beg to differ with the blanket statement that "quantity not quality" is the rule of thumb. Have you visted many non-chain restaurants in New York or San Francisco, Miami, or even Scottsdale, AZ?
I agree that many chain restaurants fit the description you offer but there are just as many of those in Canada and this does not accuarately describe the finer dining that American cities offer. Please keep your self righteous nationalism under control!
Signed
Citizen of the World (holder of a Canadian passport)
I agree. This blog post
I agree. This blog post has no use or sense. It'a actually quite anti-American and racist. I am a Canadian-American and although I have spent most of my life in the US, I did live in Montreal for a while. I've been to many restaurants in Montreal and took a doggie bag home! And I have never been to a restaurant in the US where they take your food before you are done. I think you actually need to visit the US before making these rash racist generalizations.
How is American a race???
Seriously!
Follow up on Eating in the USA
And the point of this article is what? I have eaten in restaurants all over the US and no one has ever taken my plate from me when I put my fork and knife down. However I will agree that people some times eat like they will never get another meal again!
I have eaten in many restaurants in Montreal and all over the world where the wait staff don't give you the time of day! They throw your dinner at you.
It is unfair of you to make this comment about the US restaurants.
Eating in the USA
I believe you are generalizing a bit regarding eating in the US. There are many restaurants in Quebec that serve large portions and provide 'doggie' bags. Perhaps it is the type of restaurant you frequent rather than location. Fast-food is fast-food no matter what country you are dining in. This story is anecdotal at best. Kind regards, Visiting American living in Quebec that takes exception to your article.