I went to the local German bakery today, to pick up cake for my mom. Two obviously German tourists were in there. They were speaking German only, the man had a camera around his neck, and they were wearing neutral colored European looking shoes. Can you believe they came all the way over here to eat German food? And they didn't even bother to try to look like Americans!! The nerve!
(All of this is true but the outrage. I just thought it was funny seeing that after all of the discussions here.)
I had dinner in Bistro 110 in Chicago last week. It's very French and sitting next to us was a couple conversing completing in French. So, like the the crazy German's eating German food in the US, the French are eating French food in our imitation French Cafes! ; ) BTW I would highly recommend Bistro 110. I hadn't been there in several years and was happily surprised to find out how great the food still is. Pam
The bread thing is funny, but the Germans do think other countries bread is insipid (but especially American bread, like Wonder)and when they go on vacation to anywhere, they cannot wait to get home and have some "real" bread. They even made a movie quite a few years ago, with German family in Italy, and the dad is continually whining about the horrid bread there, and how he would so like a piece of decent bread. The rest of the movie is about horrid German behaviour while on vacation. Truly hilarious. The name of the movie? "They Speak German Don't They?"
What is also funny is when we go to Columbus, which does have a lovely German Village, family members always want to take us to one of the restaurants there. Just to see if we like the "brats" there as well, or to try the potato salad, and so on. It's never as good, but we play along like it is. Shush!
"The bread thing is funny, but the Germans do think other countries bread is insipid (but especially American bread, like Wonder)". Being originally from Philadelphia, where something like a baguette (which we call a "hoagie roll") forms part of the staple of our diet, I share the sentiment!
I know that when I visit the US it can be fun to pop into the local "British Pub" to see what cock-eyed interpretation they've cooked up but it seems pointless to travel all that way expect things to be the same as at home.
Ethnic restaurants can be interesting too, Americanised Chinese food is different from Anglicised Chinese food. Most Italian restaurants in the UK aim (with varying degrees of success) to reproduce Italian food whereas Italian-American cuisine is unique to North America.
I think it is true (in general) that Americans make a bigger deal about travelling to Europe than we do about going to the USA. It's probably because we can drive a few hours and be in a foreign country (well I'd need a ferry) so foreign countries aren't quite so "foreign" or unknown.
Cate, we were similarly amused when our Spanish exchange student and family couldn't wait to try a restaurant highly recommended by a friend in Madrid. So for our first meal together in San Francisco, we ate at a SPANISH restaurant that they adored because they found it so authentic! (And of course, the staff LOVED having people from Spain rave over their authenticity, so everyone including the chef fawned over them the whole time.) I guess they had to ease into the American experience slowly. However, with the exception of dim sum in Chinatown, they loved all of our American (that is, our melting pot of Italian, Mexican, French, Morrocan, Pacific NorthWest cuisines) we eventually shared with them. One other note about clothing...the Spanish dad was always cold, so my husband gave him some Purdue, Indiana University and Michigan State sweatshirts to wear. Everywhere we went, people ran up to him and immediately started talking about how they went to one of those schools, and Tino would blush and try to speak a little English, saying something like shirt from friend, point, point. Accidentally looking like an American brought him a lot of attention, at first slight embarrassment and then a lot of fun and chances to meet people. Whether you experience a new culture by looking at its re-creation of your own, or trying completely new things, these are all unique experiences to people. Also, whether you look like a tourist or a local, you'll have a fun but different experience either way. Travel is such a mixed bag of individual ways of peaking into the lives of people and places unknown to us.
Jo,
I don't know a single German, including myself, that doesn't think that German bread is the best in the world. Who else can make a 100% whole grain rye bread that's not only eadible and healthy but tastes great?!? That doesn't mean that they don't enjoy a nice French baguette or Italian ciabatta occasionally. Especially while on vacation. But I couldn't live on that (or "Wonder" - what a misnomer ...) day-in day-out. Even my Canadian husband is starting to convert. It only took a couple of decades but he's come to his senses eventually ;-)
Another great place in Chicago is Café Iberico on LaSalle in River North. Many transplanted Spaniards at this tapas bar.
As for Uganda, their government has accepted millions in food aid and related programs from the U.S. I really don’t believe that they are in a position to refuse aid (and they haven’t) when millions are starving because of drought, floods, crop disease, violence, high food prices, and food shortages. BTW, the U.S. (via USAID) is the world’s largest food aid donor.
Well just think of all the Americans who patronage Mc
Donalds and the like in Europe!!! Just as silly.
One thing I never do when traveling is to go to an American-type place. When in Rome.......
An American friend who lives in Avignon says that although the French are trying to do Tex-Mex restaurants, they have it all wrong!! And he is from Texas so should know.
I can never understand people who say things like that got tired of pasta, etc. and just had to go to McDonalds!!! I guess that speaks volumes about how they eat at home. What is the point of spending all this money to travel in Europe and then eat American???????
Who eats Wonder bread anyway? In my area we can get wonderful bread including great dense pumpernickel and rye bread. But my nephew who moved to the Dallas area says they cannot fine good rye bread like you can get in the NY area. Maybe it is a geographic/cultural thing? My area, having had so many ethnic groups for so long, has wonderful ethnic food. And there are so many artisanal bakers these days.
A local shop sells lots of food imports and even the supermarket has imported Proscuitto, sausages and cheese as well as a new line of French frozen food.
No one I know buys regular supermarket bread nowadays.
Maryann - that attitude does amuse me and sadly it is quite common (and I am sure all nationalities are guilty of it). A B&B owner once told me about an American couple who stayed with her for a week and spent the whole time searching for American fast food/chain restaurants. This B&B was located in a part of Devon full of award-winning restaurants featuring dishes made with fresh local produce so they really missed out. I think some people just find it too much when they are faced with unfamiliar food.
The only time I can understand that attitude is when someone is in a country where the food is VERY foreign. After a week of hot spices and offal something bland and familiar can be a welcome sight!
Cate, why do you hate the "sarcasm-challenged?" You're upsetting people, and it should stop.
On a related note, what's all this fuss about conserving this nation's racehorses? What about the other kinds of horses?
And since we're on the subject, do NOT go to the Swingside Cafe in Seattle! I do NOT recommend it, and they don't take reservations! I don't care how many people tell you the food is delicious there. Stay away!
(folds arms, stares wanly at "Chico State" coffee mug)
As someone who has dealt with foreign visitors to the U.S., I can tell you that many try to find foods they are familiar with....
Many Chinese visitors only want to eat Chinese style food. I had many say they thought western food was inferior to Chinese food. In major cities, it's usually not a problem. But try to find it in the National Parks.
When I lived in the L.A. area, I used to take British customers to a British style pub. Many of them liked it so much, they would go back on their own--even though there were are least a dozen, good, affordable restaurants of all types within a 3 block radius.
So, you see, it's not just Americans who go into American style restaurants when overseas. Most people like what they know and are familiar with. While others at least like to sample the local cuisine.
And no, not every U.S. restaurant serves hormone-laden, bad food. There are great non-chain restaurants that serve food made from local products.
Well, Cate, I thought it was very humorous! We avoid looking like "ugly Americans" all the time, not just in Europe.
We avoid the "Tex-Mex" places in Europe -- I can tell just by looking at the menu that there's not a lot of similarity to most Mexican food and none at all to actual Tex-Mex. Have also found that most European cafes, etc. are able to actually screw up the typical "Amerian" hamburger. When in Rome......
Besides, eating the native cuisine is part of the enjoyment of travel.
Oh Neil, go eat your Welsh Rarebit and then hush!
Why worry about staying on subject now? Since this thread began with a satirical review of German tourist’s eating habits and morphed into something about the U.S. and modified foods, I thought I might point out that a German company, Bayer CropScience, is one of the world’s biotech leaders in developing and introducing potentially unsafe, genetically engineered material into the food supply. Chew on that…no pun intended.
Don’t get me wrong…I love all things German, including the people. I couldn’t resist the fun, though. And, after all, the Swingside Cafe in Seattle is pretty bad...the horse meat is too tough!
BTW, another reason people eat their own countries food overseas is because of food allergies. On my first visit to Scotland I ate some Indian food and had an allergic reaction where my throat swelled up. Hadn't eaten Indian since. Definitely not a food tourist.
Another fun-with-food story. On the way to Yosemite with a van full of Japanese high school students, we informed them that we were going to stop at a Mexican restaurant so that they could try a taco. Instantly everyone in the van became excited, as they thought we were taking them to get tako (octopus). They liked the tacos, but I think they would have enjoyed the tako more.
I did it one time!! I am forever shunned!!! Yeah, I broke down and ate McDonalds in Italy. In 6 weeks of travel - I did do it. But don't assume! I am very adventurous with food and eat a lot of different things. I very rarely eat McDonalds even in the US. However on that particular day I had a tour in which I got car sick. The tour was in part an olive oil tour. It then became guilty by association. Anything with olive oil was not gonna happen for the rest of that day - now I ask you...in Italy how does one go about saying "no olive oil on that please??" So I went with the one thing I knew was guaranteed to NOT have olive oil. A cheeseburger. Would you have seen me and shook your head that day - probably. Buggers.
What is the big deal about having the occasional Big Mac when traveling in Europe???? Why are people so ashamed of it? Even Rick admits to it! Nobody seems to have any shame about patronizing a Starbucks even though it's also a big "evil" American chain. Could it be that Starbucks is trendier, therefore it's "okay"?? People are creatures of habit, IMO if they're inclined to have the occasional Bic Mac at home, they'll have the occasional Big Mac when traveling though Europe. Also, the idea that fast food chains overseas are only patronized by American tourists is false, from experience I can tell you that the locals love Ronald as well. One my greatest accomplishments is that I have consumed KFC on four continents (five if you consider PEI to be a continent), and before I die I will have KFC on two more continents....take that fast food haters!
I will also defend eating at McD's in Europe. We always eat a time or two at McD's while there. And I'm not going to apologize. After a late night of drinking, sometimes it's the only thing that can be found. I prefer Doener Kepabs, but if not available, you can never go wrong at the golden arches. Also, when we were in Garmisch, we met a ton of teenagers late one Saturday night in the McD's. Also inebriated. We had a great time talking to them, and I got to practice my German. When you're spending a long period of time traveling in Europe, and you sample the local cuisine more than once a day, who cares if you enjoy a meal or two at some trusty American fast food joint. Not only that, but it's entertaining to see some of their menu items that are not offered in the US. Plus, you appreciate free ketchup in the US since you have to pay for it there!
When I first went to Europe, I wanted to try the local version of "hamburger chains." Whimpies in the UK, "Quick" (?) is Paris....it was a long time ago.....I only remember one thing...they weren't very good.
Since then, I try my best to be adventurous. I like to try local dishes but know my limits. As an example, I'm not good with spicy food here, so I'm definitely not going to risk it overseas.
Travel can be stressful. And sometimes, to relieve that stress, we may turn to foods we know, sort of like travel comfort foods. And thoses foods would be things we have at home.
No shame to it...unless that's all you eat.
PS, Michael S, I agree with you, the McDonalds are ALWAYS packed in Europe and it's overwhelmingly packed with EUROPEANS. If they didn't love it, they wouldn't keep them open.
Ok, I'm going to have to chime in with a personal response (insert formal caveat about this having nothing to do with the opinion of this website, etc).
I swear that McDonalds is better in Europe. Have you ever had a McBacon on the Champs Elysee with fries and a beer? You certainly can't get that sandwich or that beer in the states. I think they even use better beef there (probably not... its probably an unconsious desire for a "taste of home"). I try to only have fast food once each trip when I'm in Europe, but I thoroughly enjoy it each time.
Yeah! Even the webmaster is defending McCuisine! Our side WINS! ;)
Speaking of the McDonalds on the Champs Elysee, I'm happy to report they sell fresh squeezed, unpasteurized orange juice there....yum!
Thanks everyone for your great and fun responses! I am glad that most people took it in the spirit of humor it was written. (Oh, just a side note- the bakery is more of a German cafe. There is a German bakery/deli/grocery store on the other side of the building, though- we frequently buy bread, brotchen, meats, and butter cheese there.) My step-Oma was very set in her ways when she visited us once. She did NOT want American breakfasts. She wanted brotchen, cheese, and meat. We all have our quirks.
We had McDonald's our first full day in Germany in December. We were on the Autobahn, in a relatively bare stretch and at lunchtime saw a McDonald's next to a gas station. The food was better than here (husband was raving over how much better the burger was), however, it was at least twice as expensive. More in Euros than we would pay in dollars for a comparable meal here.
My husband and I were exploring Chinatown in San Francisco a couple of years ago, and after seeing a few food markets, he decided he was not eating there. I had the best Vietnamese sandwich for lunch- so good and cheap- and he just watched. He ended up waiting until we left the area and made me stop at McDonald's so he could get cheeseburgers. I took a picture to show all of our friends and relatives how adventurous he was. He was great in Europe, though!
Neal, now I am going to have to try that place, although it is rare I am in Fremont. So many restaurants, so little time!
On my first trip to Europe years ago, I started out in London eating Indian take-away. It was the only place open at the time. As the trip went on I started noticing a trend, and ran with it. I had Chinese food in Paris, Greek food in Vienna, etc. All in good fun, and I had a blast!
I love local cuisine most of the time, but I certainly understand longing for a taste from home occasionally. Going local in London with the "traditional" English breakfast was a mistake...terrible. And after eating pork for a week in Germany or Austria, a greasy pizza is pretty tasty. How about sushi in Vienna...just a few doors down from the opera house? It seemed high enough quality, and I didn't get a liver fluke, so all was well. Someone mentioned Starbuck's...they are an evil corporation! Remember, they were the front organization for Dr. Evil's empire in one of the Austin Powers flicks. And, they're capitalists just like McDonald's...double whammy!
Maybe it's mad cow that makes the hamburgers better in Europe???
I can't remember where in England we were (or even what year) but, we stopped for brekkers at McDonalds because they had a Full English on a bun..Complete with brown sauce.
Thanks Cate for the cute post. People really are people, no matter where from or where they go. And every once in a while I think everybody just likes a little taste of home. I know I brought back rye bread from the Jewish bakeries I grew up with in Cleveland for the first 25 years I lived in Columbus. And Jo, I happen to live in German Village and am glad to hear you have visited. No, the brats may not be like home,and I'll keep your secret, but you can wear tennis shoes and shorts. Come back and visit us for the House and Garden Tour (this week end, actually) or Oktoberfest. BYOB (bring your own brats) :-)
Denny, I graduated from South High, right around the corner. Grew up with Schmidts Sausage House and Max and Ermas. There used to be a restaurant there that had the best sauerbraten, but cannot remember the name anymore. It is fun to go to German Village there. I think we have the same statue of Schiller here in FF as they do in Schiller Park in Col. Such connections!
The McDonalds in Europe also frequently have different local inspired menu items that can intresting to try. Although, I have to say Amsterdaam's Mc Kroquette is one of the worst things I've tasted.
Hah! When I lived in Columbus, I wanted to live in German Village, but it was a little shaky back in those olden days for a young single woman! I remember getting German food there, of course. But, I also remember that Victoria's Station was in German Village as well. But I don't remember eating pub food! I remember having a New England Clam Bake! Back in the 80's Columbus was sprouting restaurants and restaurant chains faster faster than dandy lions in my lawn. ; ) Pam
I lived in Nuremberg 1982-1985. Even though it was so long ago, I still crave real Nuremberger bratwurst and Schweine Schaufele mit Knoedel. I can hardly wait to introduce them to my husband when we are there this fall. I love the heavy, dark German bread, but by the time we get home I'm sure I'll be craving our local Beyond Bread's pepper and cheese breads: jalapeno cheddar, green chili & provolone, and ancho, chipotle & white cheddar. Somehow, no matter where we go, my husband and I can always find something good to eat -- a blessing to the palate, a curse to the waistline!
I ate in a Welsh restaurant once. It either met or did not meet my expectations. Nevertheless it is a memory I have of no particular interest. Or something.
Ha Ha. I would still eat a McDonalds if I went to Europe. . . just because I am comfortable with it. I would try the local food, still, though! (just not every meal)
What a fun string!
I've always had the attitude that for my too-short vacations, I only have a few weeks to try foods that I can't get at home. But I have to admit that after a week of trying to come up with what I consider a satisfying breakfast in France or Italy, a McDonald's breakfast has been the most welcome answer to my cravings.
