Authentic Schmauthentic!

[StephanieL]

@Kalivs

But, they have probably been told by a thousand tourists that their food is too spicy, funky, different. In order to survive as a business, they have to cater to the most pedestrian tastes.

I was going to say that too. These places have probably been burned one too many times by people complaining or sending food back.

[eleeper (Evelyn C. Leeper)]

Of course, a couple of generations ago, Bangladesh was India, and then it was Pakistan, and the massive migrations in 1948 means that making a firm distinction among India/Pakistan/Bangladesh origins for people in other countries is often problematic. It’s not clear to me that someone from Bangladesh serving “Indian” food is any worse than someone from Gujarat serving Kerala food, or someone from Vermont serving BBQ.

[jcostiones]

@eleeper

or someone from Vermont serving BBQ.

Living in Texas, you’ve drawn a line in the sand.

[Harters (John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)]

@Kalivs

Mind you, he was born in Kenya…

I struggle to think of an Indian restaurant in Manc that owes its heritage to East African Asians. I suspect that’s because the immigrant group came with different skills than the hospitality industry.

[Harters (John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)]

@eleeper

It’s not clear to me that someone from Bangladesh serving “Indian” food is any worse than someone from Gujarat serving Kerala food,

It isn’t “worse”. But then it isnt “Indian” food either. Except in a very broad brush way.

[Kalivs (Vanita Sharma)]

But the founders of Patak’s are from Kenya

[Harters (John Hartley - a culinary patriot eating & cooking in Northwest England)]

Yes, but the original Mr Pathak opened a shop, not a restaurant. I don’t think the family ever had a business in hospitality.

[Kalivs (Vanita Sharma)]

True, most of the indian Kenyans I know are involved in the grocery business and catering rather than actual restaurants.

[MikeG]

@jcostiones

Living in Texas, you’ve drawn a line in the sand.

Is that the line in front, behind, or next to the one concerning beans in chili?

[jcostiones]

@MikeG

Is that the line in front, behind, or next to the one concerning beans in chili?

Totally intertwined.

The line in the sand reference, for those not in the know, refers to Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis’ legendary call for the defenders to face certain death in The Alamo by crossing the line.

All were killed March 6, 1836.

Go if in San Antone, it’s downtown, a quick tour, and turn off your stupid cell phones for I know to be a tortuous 30 minutes.

Line in the Sand Alamo History.