If I were a first time visitor from another country, and you told me about the popularity of American Family restaurants, I would be amazed. There is no such place where I come from since there are no dining establishments that designate themselves as specifically family friendly. It is taken for granted that families will dine together in places that are differentiated by pricing.
International dining habits range from enjoying comfortable peasant food in informal settings to gourmet dining in the finest establishments. The American Family Restaurant concept, on the other hand, is truly a U.S. phenomenon that deserves a place in our school history books. Its origins, however, are mired somewhere in a murky past.
Probably the idea of a place where the entire family can go to enjoy home-style cooking originated when Mom got tired and needed a break. It’s possible that the first American family style restaurant had its origins in German-Dutch country fare served on long, heavily laden picnic style tables with bench seating. Although you can find similarities to the American family restaurant in countries around the world, nothing can exactly duplicate it.
When we think of classic American dining, a laid back, informal atmosphere comes to mind with plastic covered booths and plastic tabletops, and of course, you don’t have to dress up to go there. The food is plain and simple – like Mom’s meatloaf or stew for dinner – meat and potatoes and the stuff of life we consume at home on a regular basis like hamburgers for lunch, and eggs over easy for breakfast. This type of family restaurant is still immensely popular in the U.S., and you can find one or more in every small town across the land.
But there’s something new happening to classic American cuisine and something new happening to the family dining atmosphere. Although some establishments continue to concentrate on offering traditional menus, there are many now actually showcasing gourmet selections and featuring healthy eating alternatives.
One example of a local, home-style establishment in Virginia that exceeds expectations is a place where you can still find all your old favorites. But you can also order from a highly diverse menu including Avocado Bruschetta as an appetizer (a blend of tomato avocado, garlic, onion and Parmesan cheese served with lightly toasted baguettes). Then there’s Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad (a confetti of chicken, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, black beans and corn, drizzled with spicy dressing in a tortilla bowl). And for an entrée, try Asparagus and Chicken Carbonara (warm pasta in a creamy Italian carbonara sauce). Sound like any American family restaurant you know?
The same restaurant offers gluten-free foods, including breads, pastas, crackers, and croutons, as well as other allergy-free items. This is a great boon for the many people suffering from allergic reactions to foods and who are searching for alternatives to same-old, same-old, boring menus. This same establishment also features vegetarian dishes.
So, although the new, slightly upscale, gourmet American family restaurant is still advertised as home-style cooking in a relaxing atmosphere where you can stay for homemade ice cream and desserts, there’s a definite difference. Now there are options.
There are not only food options. Now you can choose your atmosphere. The old style family favorite place for brunch on Sunday might look different now. Maybe it’s in a renovated historic house that used to be an ice cream parlor. Maybe it has a colonial décor, pleasant carpeting and linen tablecloths. And there’s even a new and more concentrated emphasis on excellence in service.
Patronizing your favorite American style restaurant is still a wonderful way to enjoy a meal out with the family and it’s still the greatest buy in town. The thing is, there are changes you may have missed. There’s a new look to American family dining, a new version, greater food options, better service, a designed- for- comfort relaxing atmosphere where you feel right at home. And you won’t have to look hard to find one.
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