No, We're Not That Family (Italian-Americans mad at Olive Garden)

Opnionjournal ^ | July 26, 2002 | Victorino Matus

[stands2reason]

Italian-Americans have a problem, and it's not "The Sopranos."

Italian-Americans are speaking out. They are complaining about a stereotype they just can't stand. One that they find inaccurate and misleading. One that is constantly shown on television, much to their disgust. They are unhappy. They are at their wit's end. They are fed up.

[untenured]

At least at the ones I've been to.

They're all dry. It's part of their down-home image, I'm sure. The lemonade is good, though.

Also they make you walk through those tourist-trap "general stores" that are full over overpriced merchandise.

My wife likes to window-shop in those stores, so she can keep busy while we wait for a table. Like many guys, I don't see the point of looking at merchandise unless I'm planning to buy something, so I get no thrill out of that.

[Enough_Deceit]

Sam, I hope that you marry (married) a good woman who can cook. You've earned that by virtue of your culinary past. :-) Take care and God bless.

[stands2reason]

I was about to post that thought myself!

[droberts]

Think Italian restaurants in the U.S. are only exist in such plentitude becuase there are a lot of Americans who consider themselves Italian and it's easy to make a big markup on pasta (which is dirt cheap wholesale) and the few spiced ingredients that end up being the 'sauce'. In the good Italian restaurants throughout Europe (especially, of course, those in Italy), the food resembles nothing like what you find in their U.S. equivalents (although that can be had too). For one thing an upmarket Italian restaurant will never server pasta or pizza (especially pizza, unless it's made as it is made in Naples where it was invented - thin crust, mozzarrella made from the milk of the water buffalo and light toppings not the slidge you get in the U.S.).

[Desdemona]

There's another I can't remember off the top of my head. Not to confuse you, Vivianno's, Volpi, and DiGregorio's are little stores with deli's.

Yes, the Hill IS a treasure. One of many. The sausage must be...I can't spell it. Scaziscia? Something like that. Someone will correct me. The Germans and Poles are in different parts of town. And, yes, in the summer, we cook out a lot.

[southern rock]

Italian neighborhoods where the denizens speak exclusively Italian are difficult to find. Even "Little Italy" in New York City is only one short street nowadays (Mulberry Street). Get a life.

Mulberry Street is just a put-on for tourists. However, I've been to Staten Island. Yikes! These are people who think "The Sopranos" is a documentary about the family next door.

[southern rock]

You think Tony Danza represents "Italian-America" in your southern-fried brain, dontcha? LOL...

Oh, he is, more than you know. Like I said, I've been to Staten Island. Hell, lil' southern ole me has even been to that San Genero street thing in Brooklyn. Nothin' but a bunch of jogging suit wearing, gold chain dangling, sausage sandwich eating, guidos.
No offense. That's just what I saw. I calls 'em like I sees 'em.

[connectthedots]

One of the worlds shortest books, Great Recipies from the British Isles,

Beef Wellington being an exception.

[southern rock]

What -- you want us to be happy when the Olive Garden uses romano cheese from Wisconsin instead of Locatelli from Italy?

Yes!! LOL!!

[connectthedots]

The first time I went into a restaurant like that, I thought the pictures were real. It was like finding the real Cheers. Now I know what Cher felt like when she learned that Mt. Rushmore was not a natural phenomenon.

Like Cher has any excuse to complain about 'natural phenomena'.

[strela]

And for good reason. Matt Savare, an independent filmmaker in New Jersey, knows better: "When you're here, you're family? Oh, good. So you're gonna curse at me and yell and scream through my entire meal? Wonderful."

You don't have to be Italian to fight like tigers around the dinner table. I can still remember the "Great Mashed Potato Fight of 1965," where I thought my father was going to have a coronary from laughing so hard when I (6 years old) got mad at one of his jokes and came across the table with a serving spoon at him.

[southern rock]

Before you 2 guys become too offended at anything I say here, you do realize I was born and raised in NYC, don't you? ( I got the heck out as fast as I could, but I am from there.) Like the bumper sticker on my truck says, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could"!

[strela]

Anybody who goes to the Olive Garden expecting great Italian food probably thinks that the sine qua non of Mexican cuisine can be had at Taco Bell.

[Desdemona]

Hey, some of the best Italian is veal (Vitello).

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

You know, you're right. I've had 'authentic' Italian food in Rome, Florence, and Milan, and there is a world of difference...even from the supposed 'authentic' Italian food here in America. However, I would prefer the American variety...the ice cream was great but the pizza & pasta in Italy wasn't so hot. I thought it was just me.

[Desdemona]

Oops, sorry. I need to read a little more closely...and get my glasses.

[condolinda]

"If I took him to my local Olive Garden on Rockville Pike, he'd try to throw me out of the family!"

I completely understand! I would not take an Italian friend to the Olive Garden either!

Last time I visited Rockville, my (Italian) friend and I rented a car, drove up to Baltimore, and discovered Little Italy. The meal was absolutely incredible, one of the best I've ever had.

I can deal with the Olive Garden, say if I were meeting friends there for lunch or after work and we didn't want to spend too much money. But would never pick it as a dining destination for myself. I seldom dine out, and when I do, it is usually on trips to cities like New York or DC or Toronto, where there is a great selection of "authentic" restaurants. Alas, there are comparatively few of these here in Pittsburgh.

[Rebelbase]

Rube.

[southern rock]

If by 'that San Genero street thing' you mean the San Gennaro Festival, that takes place in Little Italy in Manhattan. This is like getting the Carolinas mixed up.

Nah! I'm pretty sure the one I went to was in Broklyn. Same premise though.

The notion of large Italian-American communities where no one speaks English is the product of spending entirely too much time watching Godfather movies and their Dino DeLaurentiis ripoffs.

I never meant that they don't speak English. I just ment they like using the Italian words and phrases alot for emotional effect. :)