What Is American Food....

Have you ever thought about what makes food "American"? More importantly is there really such thing as "American" food anymore.

I am sitting here having breakfast this morning and looking at what is in my neighborhood.you have my work that has a heavy Mediterranean influence, there are several Mexican restaurants and Indian restaurant. Do not forget the restaurant that is called and "American bistro" that has a huge freaking menu (I really hate huge menus).

There are things that are very much American staples; Chicago style hot dog, a proper lobster roll, shrimp & grits, brisket from Texas (I want to visit Franklins). But I grew up in California where it is a very different world.

I think California is an interesting place when you are looking at food culture because throughout history it has seen some of the heaviest migration of so many different cultures. A perfect example is Fresno,Ca has the biggest Hmong community on the entire west coast (some say in the country).

Think about it where did Kogi start....California!

So as I wrap up this post think about where you live: the communities, the culture and the food. Trust me if you look beyond the bright lights of Red Lobster,Olive Garden and Pzza Hut....you will not be dissapointed!

Aloha Spirit...Sometimes It Is A Food Thing

So this morning I got to my work set up and did what I do almost every morning and that is walk down to Char-Cu-Te-Rie in here in downtown Visalia, Ca for my morning coffee and time to kick back and do some reading.

 This week I have been reading The Ethical Butcher but today I grabbed the travel issue of Lucky Peach magazine and started reading an article that featured Roy Choi (Kogi and A-Frame) and Christina Tossi (Momofuku Milk Bar).

Roy starts talking about the "aloha spirit". "The aloha spirit happens in many ways. Can you think of letting someone in your house without feeding them, or let them go on the road and not pack them a lunch?" This question got me to thinking about food, friends/family and being involved in the hardcore scene.

One of my favorite things in life is when my wife and I open our home up to friends. Whether it was for a special occasion or just to say "Come over I am firing up the grill". You could almost always count on after any-show our house and yard would be filled with friends and bands who were on the road.

I knew first had that bands on the road did not get good meals on the road so if they were in my house they got fed. There is nothing better then a bunch of guys hanging out around a bbq grill in the snow drinking beer.

In September of 2007 I put together a going away party/birthday party for my wife (we were getting ready to leave Spokane and return to California). I used my buddies restaurant and cooked three pork shoulderes and prepared Kalua Pork, tons of rice and potato salad. Beth made her garlic bread that everyone freaking loves (she has only given the recipe to one person and the is Joey). It was an evening of just spending time with friend.

I think about the times of sitting around a diner and eating food that may not be the nest on the planet but you sit there for a couple of hours with your friend and just b/s the whole time. Everyone has had those late nights at Dennys.

Sometimes I think people miss the point of food. I think food is about community. I was not trying to do something awesome when I would cook late nite after a show it was about bringing people together. The truth is some of the best food around is not always the "best" food but the best times.

When you are eating or in some cases feeding people think of what Roy Choi said about the aloha spirit...Sometimes that is what it is all about.