Ordering fries as a side is a common request, but I'd rather order rice as a side instead.
While growing up, rice was used as a side or part of meals at constant rates. I recently found out that most people around here don't actually eat rice very often. In the North and West Coast in places like California, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, residents eat more rice due to the Asian and Hispanic cultural influences. My father grew up on the West Coast and came to the East Coast when he was older, bringing his kitchen equipment, like a rice cooker, with him. Meanwhile, my mother, who grew up in Maryland, loves potato sides because that's what had the most influence where she was from. Food has a culture, which makes that culture its own, which impacts American food production. Mexican culture brings staples like beans, chili peppers, and tomatoes, along with iconic and well-known dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and salsa. The culture grew significantly in America; it led to the creation of fast-food chain restaurant Taco Bell, and snacks like Doritos and Tostitos. Mexican cuisine has led many chefs to open authentic restaurants as well as more modern restaurants like Chipotle. For the Mexican immigrants, maintaining their culinary heritage provided a sense of cultural pride while introducing and popularizing Mexican cuisine, creating economic success. Asian culture introduced ingredients like tofu, bok choy, and ube to the American diet, along with dishes like sushi, chow mein, and chop suey, with new cooking methods like stir fry and steaming. Although most of the food got “Americanized,” authentic restaurants are easy to find. Asian cuisine is the most popular ethnic food in America with 45,000 restaurants nationwide as of 2022. Popularity surged significantly post-World War II and again during the late 20th century as people arrived from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations. German culture has a huge effect on American food. Immigrants from this corner of the world popularized staples like hamburgers, hot dogs, pretzels, potato salad, and sauerkraut. They also introduced techniques for pickling, making hearty bread, and smoking meats, as well as treats like strudels, cinnamon rolls, and ginger bread. Germans are also known for their long history of brewing beer as well as establishing a standard for quality and variety. Most heavy German culture is in the Midwest, but there's the Pennsylvania Dutch, with heavy religious communities like the Amish and Mennonite. They also have made German-based food like chicken pot pie, scrapple, shoofly pie, funnel cakes, red beet eggs, and whoopie pie. In New York, Jewish Germans influenced the deli, with bagels, pastrami, and corned beef. Italian culture introduced ingredients such as olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pasta. They created foods like pizza, tiramisu, and garlic brea,d as well as pasta dishes like lasagna and fettuccine alfredo. French culture influenced fine dining and professional cooking by introducing new ways to cook and new recipes for dishes. Some techniques the French brought into the kitchen in cooking were chiffonade, charcuterie, and braising. The ingredients they brought were crops like okra, artichokes, and tomatoes. French baking introduced specific methods for bread making, and pastry desserts like macaroons and croissants. French dining prioritizes moderation, fresh ingredients, and taking it slow to enjoy the food and its aesthetic. Even in France, fast food restaurants are a sit-down event, sometimes offering small desserts. Culture created the roots in our food. Immigrants helped shape our food in America. So when you're eating your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant, think about where it came from.