| America's food abundance continues to be one of | | | | The chain restaurants, in particular, have responded |
| the wonders of the world. Coupled with this | | | | to America's 21st-century dining-out culture by trying |
| abundance is the incredible variety of food products | | | | to out-compete each other in every area from decor |
| that are available to us in our supermarkets and in | | | | to price to menu variety. In particular, they have |
| our restaurants. | | | | pulled out the stops to develop signature dishes that |
| When I think back to my childhood (not that long | | | | will turn occasional visitors into loyal (and repeat!) |
| ago, I swear!), I'm struck by the memory of the | | | | patrons. |
| limited dining-out opportunities we had then compared | | | | Thus, we have the phenomenon of a country with |
| to now. I grew up in a medium-sized city. There | | | | nationally known and loved restaurants and their |
| were several restaurants and a couple of cafeterias, | | | | special dishes. People return to familiar eateries over |
| but their menus were depressingly similar to one | | | | and over again for those dishes, and many go so far |
| another. | | | | as to find ways to get hold of the recipes in order to |
| Today, that same city, as with most cities and even | | | | make them at home. |
| small towns everywhere you go in the U.S., offers | | | | America's favorite restaurant recipes are helping to |
| just about every kind of dining experience you could | | | | define our culture these days as much as our top |
| want, from traditional "down home" fare to | | | | professional sports teams or most popular television |
| international cuisines and a bewildering variety of | | | | shows do. Indeed, eating out has come a long way in |
| ethnic food. Eating out several nights a week is a | | | | a scant few decades. |
| common practice for many families. | | | | |