American foods are as diverse as the people themselves (Hunter and Writer). The country consists of different cultures that bring with it differences in their food tastes (Smith and Kraig 698). It is not uncommon to find ethnic foods being served in American restaurants and many people have ventured into this business. The people identify themselves with different delicacies that are congenial to their taste. According to Decker, 74% of American households enjoy preparing and have ethnic foods whereas 59% of them like the ethnic foods because of their unique flavors (Decker). Philadelphia houses a variety of people with different cultures. Different races inhabit Philadelphia and according to the United States Census Bureau in 2014, Philadelphia comprises of blacks (41.8%), Whites (36.2%), Hispanics (13.3%), Asian (1.7%) and other races making 0.3% of its “population.” North Philadelphia has a strong Muslim community base making the great cultural diversity to be appreciated even further. Philadelphia presently is presents as a popular eateries center with major foods characteristically identifying with the city. The city has iconic restaurants that attract tourists from various parts who are motivated to visit Philadelphia to experience great and diverse food culture that is associated with the City. Ethnic foods and food trucks are quickly gaining popularity among Americans as a lucrative business and as a source of cheap, healthy foods; however, there are concerns about Americans forgetting their own food culture and embracing foreign cuisines.
The Middle East countries have provided a large source of foods for use in Philadelphia, this has been attributed to the fact that they offer cheap and high quality and healthy foods to the Philadelphians (Cowen). Furthermore, because of the immigrants from the Middle East countries, there has been great links making Philadelphia a ready market for the foods produced in these countries (Smith and Kraig 692). The foods are of relatively lower costs without compromising on quality; this has promoted a wider market. Several stores in Philadelphia now provide ethnic foods. Furthermore, it is provided in restaurants as well as food trucks. The food trucks are becoming more preferred in Philadelphia. The Middle Eastern markets offer the Americans in Philadelphia several benefits and this could even improve greatly if the market is potential tapped to maximize returns. The Philadelphian food trucks are critical in the distribution of these foods. Up to now, since the emergence of the food trucks, many people have found this business to be lucrative. Along Philadelphian roads, an array of food trucks is a valid evidence of the gain in popularity of ethnic foods since they seem to provide quick deliveries of a wide range of reliable services. Many of the trucks assume the 'Halal Gyro' name (Laban). The word 'halal' is a common Islamic word that stands for 'lawful' in accordance to the Islamic cultures. Many of the trucks find it favorable to bare this strategic name since it represents the type and quality of food they offer to their clients. According to Smith and Craig (960), Philadelphia’s cuisines resemble the city’s assorted population of different ethnicities. The city has some iconic foods that have great historical background. The prominent foods in the city include the Cheesesteak and soft Pretzels. It is important to note that these foods have with time been integrated extensively into the Philadelphia culture. The two prominent restaurants were established in the 19th century. After the post war, there was restaurant renaissance, a period that characterized the establishment of restaurants that mainly traded in assorted foods (Lindgreen and Martin 5).
The food trucks in Philadelphia play a significant impact on the food industry and to the health of the residents. Food trucks appear to be a good business venture since they are mobile. Thus, consumers can get their desired foods without compromising their daily schedule, at the same timesaving time and energy (Cowen). The business is also a good venture for young entrepreneurs who want to have a taste of the profits of this food industry. The situation highlights the benefits that the introduction of ethnic food culture brings into the city. However, many young entrepreneurs find it near to impossible to engage in this business due to financial hiccups and the fact that getting a loan to start a food truck business though banks is quit a task. All in all the food trucks require lower investment and operational costs, and they are easy to operate compared to permanent restaurants. Food trucks only require a few employees and everything is located in the same place thus offering easy management compared to stationary restaurants. Starting the food truck business requires relatively fewer permits to operate. Operating food truck enables the owner to keep and maintain contact with their customers since the trucks are mobile, and the customers know exactly where to find the truck and at what time. The dynamics of starting and operating food truck businesses are usually unique, and this form of the ethnic food business is favorable for people who like to operate their business in bustling environments. Food truck owners are able to set up their business in almost any location including the busiest and noisiest streets where they can get easy access to customers. Customers are able to try out a variety of recipes; this allows the employers to reach many clients since people have varying tastes and preferences. Knowing what customers like and prefer has enabled the food trucks to flourish along Philadelphia. The mobility and the one on one interaction with the customers make the employers meet a diversity of people and therefore improve on their preference and food demand. During concerts and events in the city truck, owners are able to penetrate deep in the crowd and find a handful of hungry customers. Thus, profits in this business is readily experienced. The food truck business is rarely boring; the operator moves from place to place interacting with a variety of people, and this makes the whole business very interesting and full of fun. The movements are also healthy for the operator as they are able to maintain their health better than those located in a particular permanent locations since they reduce their monotony of being in one place for long hours thus reducing the chances of getting mental disorders. Basically, the operational dynamics of the food trucks ensures greater profits compared to the brick restaurants.
The food truck business is not all rosy; it also has some cons that are associated with it. In starting a business, whatever the kind of business, capital is usually a paramount consideration, as one requires meeting the establishment costs as well as the operational costs. It is usually easy to acquire loans to start the stationary brick restaurants when compared to the food truck restaurants. The main challenge usually arises in determining the certainty of the business. Banks fear lending money to a person or institution with no definite location. This usually offers an upper hand for the stationary restaurants, as the banks feel more secure with them as they believe that they can meet up with them at any time regarding any concerns over the loans given. The food truck business is the regulations put forth by the government to regulate business activities (Laban). In some cases, the government may restrict business activities in particular areas, and there may be restricted access to these particular areas. In addition, a lot of time and money may be required in buying the right truck and in finding a commercial kitchen.
The food truck business is great since it offers low-cost and high-quality foods at the consumers’ convenience and also allows owners to experiencing maximum profits. Thus, providing what clients need without compromising their daily schedules. There may be several concerns raised by the restaurant owners over the food trucks, but the food trucks offer better services at low cost to the consumers, and this should be encouraged. According to the Minnesota Public Radio, the explosion of the food truck business and had to the closure of “three downtown restaurants” in Minneapolis, and the restaurant owners are fighting against the food trucks. The food trucks may appear to be a threat to the restaurant businesses but to the consumers, it is the best alternative. The earnings of the Philadelphian people vary, and most people would rather go for high-quality goods that they are able to afford and save more for other needs (Smith and Craig 960). The food truck business may be the best thing that ever happened to Philadelphia, and it also promotes ethnic food. The ethnic foods business has acted as a source of employment to different immigrants thus encouraging cultural interaction and exchange (Gabaccia 67). America’s acceptance of ethnic food has helped many immigrants to acquire employment opportunities in various restaurants that prepare ethnic foods, thus encouraging cultural interaction among different people. The Middle East countries are popular in several dishes due to the great cultural mix and diversity. Acceptance of the Middle East’s ethnic foods leads to a variety of foods in the Philadelphian market that provides the people with diverse nutrients. This leads to better health status, as the body is able to gain different nutrients essential for its maintenance (Solomonov and Cook 12).
The ethnic foods in Philadelphia are of high quality, and several healthy foods are served (Khokhar). In America, there is a significant emergence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension; thus, people are more careful with their health. Ethnic foods usually contain several spices that not only make the food tastier but also maintain and improve the health of consumers. For example, Zahav, which is one of the largest restaurants in Philadelphia, serves its customers a delicious dish of hummus, mezze, and salatimi (Solomonov and Cook). Salatimi consists of several spices such as green pepper and red onions, which are important in the management and treatment of allergies and acne (Solomonov and Cook 370). The restaurant offers affordable food that is adequately prepared to gratify the needs of the consumers without causing deterioration in their health. The ethnic foods, therefore, are aimed at improving the health of the consumers so that they can be productive to their country and families (Zajic). Ethnic foods have several advantages over the American fast foods that do not look at improving the health of the consumers but looks at making the customer full and increase in weight. The unhealthy nature of some American foods contributes largely to the spread of lifestyle diseases. The competition in the market for the ethnic foods is also important as it ensures that the Philadelphian people get the highest quality products.
The increased use of ethnic foods has improved cultural interactions among the different races in the Philadelphia (Smith and Kraig 684). There have been interactions with countries such as United Arabs Emirates, Japan, and China among others and this interaction continue to widen. The Chinese menu provides a common dish known as Chop Suey, an ethnic dish with its origin from China (Carter). Americans viewed this dish as a culinary joke in the late 19th century, but it is now a common delicacy served in most parts of the country. The Americans had a negative attitude towards Chinese immigrants, but the effect of Chop Suey on their taste buds made them forget this and with time, they allowed Chinese immigrants into the US. There was a great impact made just because of an ethnic dish; this was a great milestone in the history of America and China and today, many Americans have engaged in the Chinese culture, and they have exchanged a lot of knowledge. The gap between the American culture and other cultures in the Middle East countries grew narrower by this interaction (Hunter and Writer, 2011).
Many controversies have been raised over ethnic foods. Some anonymous sources claim that ethnic foods are a threat to the tasty American cuisines as the people’s taste is switching to the ethnic foods. In other places, people view these foods as unhealthy and ‘un-modern.’ Ethnic foods are imperative in Philadelphia as it integrates different races in the state besides providing its citizens with high quality, healthy foods at low costs, at their convenience. These foods are not a threat to the American cuisines; they supplement the American cuisines and removes boredom. It is always fun to try something new, and this is the same case with the Middle East ethnic foods. Although embracing the ethnic food culture is recommendable as the practice enriches the American food market, the Americans should not forget their customary food culture. There is the need of embracing the benefits that characterize the introduction of Middle East and ethnic food culture constructively.
It is apparent that presently, wide variety of foods is readily available in Philadelphia. The ethnic foods provide the Philadelphians with a rich menu with various meals from which they can easily choose from to meet their desires and preferences. The Middle East foods have also provided them with a relatively cheap alternative to their usual familiar dishes. It is apparent that the ethnic foods in Philadelphia are packed with a lot of health and other niceties, and therefore it is worth promoting its use. In reference to the examples cited, it is evident that the American’s cuisine at the Philadelphia is an assorted varied of the foods from immigrants groups. The immigrants have influenced the food culture in this community by providing variety of foods that are considerably cheaper. Accordingly, Americans have ultimately embraced food tastes from other cultures integrating them into their culture. The situation is, however, challengeable, as there is high concern of the corrosion of the unique American food culture with the adoption of immigrants’ food culture.
Works cited
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