Discussion of Morrus's America/GenCon thread

[Enkhidu]

Actually, I think the fact that the US just recently (in the great schemem of things) went from an almost completely agrarian society to an urban one has a lot to do with our portion sizes.

I have relatives who are farmers, and they eat large portions of food, with 3 meals a day. They also work harder before lunch in a typical day than I do in a typical weekend. They burn off all the calories, and so actually need to eat the portions they do.

But when I get home from visiting them, I find that I'm still eating those huge portions - it's just that I don't really need to eat that much because I'm so inactive in comparison.

So I'd say that in the US, people still eat like farmers: even in the big city.

 

[drothgery]

It's really no wonder that Americans in general are so overweight.

I've read that the height/weight cutoffs the FDA uses to define 'overweight' are a bit silly, which has a lot to do with the high percentage of 'obese' Americans, but I don't recall numbers off the top of my head.

 

[seasong]

Welcome to America, please remove those barbaric, foreign staples from your stomach .

 

[Luddite]

Hmm...Where are these Big Portions that Morrus is talking about. 8*) I lived in NYC for 7 years. I did not think that the servings were that large. (Well excpet for this Garden Burito place in the Village) But then most of that time, I was a poor college student.

Still, it was all good food. (Except for a few questionable Pizza places) Now, I live in the Culinary Wasteland that is San Diego. Sure I can get good cheap mexican, but that is about it. No diners. No 2am perogii and an Egg cream at the nearby polish/ukrainian dinner. No fries cooked in Lard (like god intended) with a real Chocolate Malt at Tom's Resturant. ( the one from the Susan Vega song.)

Real hosest coffee that smacks you around if you are not careful.

A real Bagel.

In an odd sence, I would of recomened The North Star Pub ( if it was still around) It served Good English Food (Yes an oxymoron, but it was English food and it was very good) and real imperial pints.

Oh well, have fun on your trip. There is no place like New York City...And this is a good thing.

-The Luddite

 

[ColonelHardisson]

It's really no wonder that Americans in general are so overweight.

I'd say it's due more to the growth hormones injected into the cattle (and other animals) we use for food.

 

[Slacker]

I'd say it's due more to the growth hormones injected into the cattle (and other animals) we use for food.

Mmmmmmmm.... growth hormones... *drool*

 

[cfmcdonald]

european eating

In my experience, Europeans don't eat much smaller portions at meals. When I lived with another guy with a senora in spain, she would serve us a whole plate of bread, a whole plate of meat, and whole plate of vegtables and expect us to finish it all between us. People in Italy (even kids) eat an entire pizza as a dinner. Sure, they're thinner than Papa John's, but it's a good sized serving of food. When I was in Austria, they served Weinerschnitzel that took up 2/3 of the plate, with a side of french fries. Not to mention the giant beers.

They do, however, seem to snack a lot less than we do, if it all.

Chris M

 

[Samnell]

Re: european eating

People in Italy (even kids) eat an entire pizza as a dinner. Sure, they're thinner than Papa John's, but it's a good sized serving of food. When I was in Austria, they served Weinerschnitzel that took up 2/3 of the plate, with a side of french fries. Not to mention the giant beers.

Having eaten pizza at a place in Rome (wonderful little place too) I can tell you that consdering how thin it is and how little's on it it's probably the equivalent of one of those Personal Pans you get at Pizza hut. About as much food as one of our burgers with fries on the side.

Delightful, though.

 

[Mistwell]

Now, I live in the Culinary Wasteland that is San Diego.

1) You have no idea what a culinary wasteland really is. Try a small town in the middle of California, like say Lindsay. Or even a large town, like Fresno. Not bad enough? Head east, out of the state. Stop before you hit a coastal state. Seriously, you are spoiled rotten.

2) You can find a "real" bagel in San Diego. In fact, you can even find a new york deli that serves bagels right there in San Diego.

3) You have Dick's Last Resort. Name another city with waiters who dress like Elvis who sing and fly through the restaurant on wires , while patrons are REQUIRED to throw wadded up napkins at each other or face the wrath of an intentionally obnoxious wait staff and a shower of napkins from ceiling vents, while all food is served in buckets.

4) You have an entire street dedicated to italian food, with a lot of good places to dine there.

5) You have Dempsey's in/on Ocean Beach, which serves the finest breakfast burrito you will ever encounter, in any city.

Quit your whining! I love San Diego's culinary choices. It's not as good as my town, Los Angeles, but still it is damn good.

 

[Pielorinho]

3) You have Dick's Last Resort. Name another city with waiters who dress like Elvis who sing and fly through the restaurant on wires , while patrons are REQUIRED to throw wadded up napkins at each other or face the wrath of an intentionally obnoxious wait staff and a shower of napkins from ceiling vents, while all food is served in buckets.

Are you freakin kidding me?! This is the first thing I have ever heard in my entire life that has tempted me to take a trip to San Diego.

Waiters on wires? Awesome!
Daniel