What in Sam Hell is ethnic food?

Pretty much. Basically, wherever that store is, the food/supplies that they sell that are not local to that area or country, are deemed “ethnic”. I’ve seen this a lot in grocery stores. Even they vary. I’m in a crappy part of PA right now where people think Chinese buffets are “ethnic” so it seems like anything that is not cereal, bread, or mac and cheese…is in the ethnic aisle.

You answered your own question, any food not indicative of that area would be considered as ethnic by local people who are the primary target group.

It’s Sam Hill, not Hell.

I think @rooeytoo nailed it. All food is ethnic food somewhere.

What did you buy? Anything nice?

In the US, anything from elsewhere is considered ethnic, be it Mexican, Middle Eastern, irish, British, etc.,

Munchkin Burgers?

if (food.flavor != null)
{
food.category = “ethnic”;
}

I think I was in Pennsylvania several years ago in a market looking for tortillas, which are a staple food in much of the U.S. I had to get them in the ‘ethnic food’ section.

Yep, it’s all location dependent.

Exactly so. So supermarkets in the US with that designation are referring to Hispanic food and Chinese or oriental food usually.

You need to stop pondering and start cooking!

I think my grocery calls it the international section rather than ethnic. I agree it would food not typical to the area. In America it is a little odd. For instance Italian food is probably not with the ethnic food, but Mexican is. I think most Americans eat Mexican as much as Italian. Maybe not at home? Not sure.

My favorite food. What it leaves out is other countries’ interpretations of foods from another country than their own. For example, Chef Boyardee is not real Italian; canned chow mein is not real Chinese. When I went to China with a group, one of our members had the nerve to say, “This isn’t real Chinese food. I’ve had Chinese food and this isn’t it.” She complained the whole trip.

As you mentioned it’s relative. But IMHO in the US “Ethnic” counts as anything that isn’t Western European or “American” in origin. That’s why things like Masalas, Tahina, Matzo, and Atole are ethnic, but Sauerkraut isn’t.

Ethic is anything I did not grow up eating.

How the fack does the most lurved answer on this thread have little-to-no relevance to the question at all?!

@Joker94 : that, in and of itself, is why social is so annoying.

@Joker94 and @jca

Because the most interesting (for lack of a better word) thing about this question was the spelling screw up.

@Joker94 – I have 5 lurves, at the moment, that is the most and I think I did indeed answer the question. What you talkin about???

I think @Joker94 means this answer @rooeytoo.

It’s Sam Hill, not Hell.
FutureMemory “Great Answer” (11points )

@Bellatrix – yep I missed that one. I don’t drink so I can’t blame it on drunken fluthering as many do, but I really should start wearing my glasses!