Frequent eating out is a relative novelty for
many Americans, particularly in suburban areas, and is just one of many
consequences of the popularization of television shows that feature
celebrity chefs and a focus on culinary history and popular culture.
Americans' appetite for learning more about food and becoming familiar
with diverse cuisines has grown exponentially in the past decade—along
with their waistlines.
In large cities, restaurants are mostly modern and very clean, offering a vast range of cuisines, prices and facilities. Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from fast-food, self-service and counter service, to drive-thru and table service. There are numerous options for casual and fine dining alike. 'Diners', now a fading US institution, consist of simple food and drink served from the counter. These are often located in smaller towns, and although they have been replaced by fast food chains in many areas, can still be found along the east coast and in parts of the southern US, midwest and southwest.
Given the country's diverse cultural groups, the range of cuisines available in the US is large. In fact, many people believe the US does not have its own distinct cuisine, and that its primary attribute is its tendency to fuse various influences. Within cities especially, cultural enclaves often have entire neighbourhoods devoted to specialized global cuisines: Vietnamese in parts of New Orleans; Somali and Ethiopian on the outskirts of Minneapolis; and, of course Chinese and Italian in New York City's Chinatown and Little Italy, which are adjoining neighbourhoods in lower Manhattan.
In large cities, restaurants are mostly modern and very clean, offering a vast range of cuisines, prices and facilities. Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from fast-food, self-service and counter service, to drive-thru and table service. There are numerous options for casual and fine dining alike. 'Diners', now a fading US institution, consist of simple food and drink served from the counter. These are often located in smaller towns, and although they have been replaced by fast food chains in many areas, can still be found along the east coast and in parts of the southern US, midwest and southwest.
Given the country's diverse cultural groups, the range of cuisines available in the US is large. In fact, many people believe the US does not have its own distinct cuisine, and that its primary attribute is its tendency to fuse various influences. Within cities especially, cultural enclaves often have entire neighbourhoods devoted to specialized global cuisines: Vietnamese in parts of New Orleans; Somali and Ethiopian on the outskirts of Minneapolis; and, of course Chinese and Italian in New York City's Chinatown and Little Italy, which are adjoining neighbourhoods in lower Manhattan.
As the country has become more culturally
diverse, so has the average palate. Today every imaginable dish can be
found coast to coast, with an increasing emphasis on fresh and healthy.
Nevertheless, many Americans still love the foods that are most often
associated with the US, even if they're not the healthiest options.
These favourites include:
• Hamburgers.
• Fried chicken.
• Barbecue.
• Cheesecake.
• Key lime pie.
• Apple pie.
• Hamburgers.
• Fried chicken.
• Barbecue.
• Cheesecake.
• Key lime pie.
• Apple pie.
There are also many types of bars, cocktail
lounges, café-style bars and English-style pubs. Generally speaking,
waiter/waitress service costs more than self-service or take-out.
Drinking laws are set by the individual states, counties, municipalities
and towns; on average, closing time in bars is between midnight and
0300.
Widely practised, as service charges are not
usually included in the bill and waiters depend heavily on tips for
their income. Waiters generally expect 10 to 20% gratuity. Often,
service charges are included for larger parties; if the
restaurant's policy is not clearly stated on its menu, ask the server.
It should be noted that a cover charge is for admission to an
establishment, not a tip for service.
• Coca-Cola.
• Regional wines.
• Microbrewery beer.
• Speciality coffees.
• Regional cocktails (Manhattan in New York; the Sazerac or the Vieux Carre in New Orleans).
• Regional wines.
• Microbrewery beer.
• Speciality coffees.
• Regional cocktails (Manhattan in New York; the Sazerac or the Vieux Carre in New Orleans).
The legal age for alcoholic consumption varies
from 18 to 21 years, varying from state to state. Laws on the
availability of alcohol run from New Orleans' policy of anytime,
anywhere and anyone, to localities, such as parts of Utah, where
drinking is strictly prohibited. Verification of age is frequently
required prior to service, provided in the form of an identification
card; in the case of foreigners, this would be a passport.
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