On the Hunt

I just read a blog that an acquaintance of mine wrote, and it sparked this frustration: Can somebody PLEASE tell me WHERE oh WHERE can I find some AUTHENTIC ETHNIC food ANYWHERE south of the Mason Dixon Line and east of the Mississippi? I really don't understand it. What is it with the Mexican and Chinese culture (specifically in my current state of residence since that is really the only experience I have) that they feel the need to cater to the ignorant and less wordly population? If they would just cook their food how they do at home and give people a chance to like it, I'm sure it would have had the same affect that making it unauthentic had with people liking it now. I just thought I would share my disappointment and heartache over the situation. Oh, and one more thing...can we please call LO MEIN what it actually is?! It's CHOW MEIN! LO MEIN is the crispy noodles. I mean, why is it backwards?!??!