Chicago again, for fleeting introduction to local gastronomy: the Chicago-style hotdog. Fluorescent yellow mustard, neon-green relish, diced onion, sliced tomato, celery salt, dill pickle, jalapeno pepper, steamed sesame-seed bun. And a dog, of course.
At Portillo's, pickle spear overwhelmed everything. But hey, only two bucks. At O'Hare, Vienna Beef dog pricier but more, shall we say, balanced. Tapas on the shores of Lake Michigan. Burrrp.
It must have been quite a letdown from real cuisine.
In a democracy all things tend to mediocrity.
Jay Conte:
At least you have a say in who runs (down) the country.
Mediocrity is not universal in the USA, as you are aware.