Part one: Newspaper article
This essay explores the American culture by analyzing an article in the USA today titled, “Las Vegas serves America’s best regional foods” by Larry Olmstead on March 4, 2016.
Part two: Summary article
In the article, Olmstead marvels at the culinary potential that resides in Las Vegas. The author reports that the food in the city of Nevada is unrivaled. This praise is justified by the presence of top celebrity chefs. Las Vegas has the best buffets and serves as the best destination for visitors (1). The city offers one-stop shop for a wide range of things including Jewish deli sandwiches and lobster rolls. The author observes that the popularity of Las Vegas represents the American culture and spirit. American is known to lead the world in innovation and scientific research. However, the quality of food found in Las Vegas confirms that the United States could lead the world in culinary frontier.
Olmstead adds that different kinds of food in the city include Burgers from the West Coast and white castle. Other food kind of food include Hawai’s Cheeseburger, California Fatburger, and Smashburger. The author added that the city of Las Vegas has Hawaiian cuisines. The people of Hawaii prefer Las Vegas. They refer to it as The Ninth Island. The margarita, a popular cocktail in Mexico is also found in this city (Olmstead 1). Although the juice was invented in Mexico, it popularity in Nevada has increased tremendously. The author opines that America’s best foods are enjoyed best from their source. In a patriotic mood, he observes that anyone visiting America should try a lobster roll in Maine or Hawaii. In the event that a person cannot make it to the two states, then Las Vegas (the sin city) offers a perfect opportunity to “have a slider or margarita.”
Towards the end of the article, the author refers to Las Vegas as the sin city. What this statement means is that Las Vegas is a city that experiences high rates of immorality defined by the rates of prostitution and drug and substance abuse. Many American gamblers find the city as the ultimate gambling destination where they can find diverse foods as they participate in various gambling activities (Kammen 7).
Part three: Reflection
This article has explored the American culture in regard to her food. The author brings his audience up to speed with the ways of the American people. He unleashes an exaggerated patriotic pride when he admits that no one other place in the world can a person find good food apart from the United States. This attitude is representative of the typical American culture. The United States culture embodies victory and leadership. The rich diversity of American people creates a culture that blends the different ethnic and racial extractions that make up the integral American society.
The sense of cultural pride is manifested in the author when he admits that margarita has its origins in Mexico but best enjoyed in the United States. The article explores various kinds of food that made from the best chefs in the United States. The writer refer to these chefs as celebrity chefs. According to Leach the cuisine of the United States is very diverse given the diverse nature of the North American continent. The United States stretches across hills and valleys, communities and societies which exhibit different values and norms (Leach 16). In this culture, wheat and corn serve as cereal grains. While preparing traditional cuisine, most American societies use sweet potatoes, corn, maple syrup and turkey. Most of these food were derived from the cultures of the Americans Indians and the early European settlers.
Works Cited
Kammen, Michael. Mystic chords of memory: The transformation of tradition in American
culture. Vintage, 2011. Print.
Leach, William R. Land of desire: Merchants, power, and the rise of a new American culture.
Vintage, 2011. Print.
Olmstead, Larry. “Las Vegas serves America’s best regional foods.” USA Today. Web.
March 4, 2016. Available at http://www.usatoday.com/travel/
