I remember watching this video a long time ago and it was interesting to see how the use of ice changed. Usually ice comes in bags or you can easily make it yourself at home but in the video it seems more meticulous. The ice being produced is specifically for bars, since ice can affect cocktails. Ice is a universal item so it’s interesting to see how they add so much detail into making ice and how they make it a profitable business, especially in NYC.
Question-
How do high end restaurants change regular items into high end products ? How did turning a basic product (ice) into a “premium” product change its value? Who are the consumers most likely to be ?
This is an image of a local street vendor who sells fruits and vegetables.
This is an image of two different fast food chains that are near each other. They are going to add a Buffalo Wild Wings near the Popeyes and Wendy’s is across the street from these two. Also, the fast food establishments are located on the main avenue.
This is a good image to show three of the prominent cuisines present in the foodspace next to each other. Happy Garden represents Asian cuisine, specifically Chinese cuisine. Antojitos (green) represents Mexican cuisine and Gemini’s II (brown-ish/right next to Antojitos)represents Dominican cuisine.
Some of the patterns observed in the foodscape is that most of the cuisine present in the neighborhood usually ranges through 3 different types: Hispanic, American and Asian. Furthermore, just like the video we watched in class there are so many deli’s around the area, usually some being around the block or at the end of the block. Also, there are many fast food establishments concentrated in one specific area of the radius. There are 16 chain establishments in the area so during times like lunch hour places like Chipotle would be packed with delivery riders who are trying to get their orders or you just see many delivery drivers coming to the chain establishments throughout the day. Surprisingly there were only 2 street vendors who were selling food products at the time of my observation. Usually when the weather is a bit nicer you see individuals selling ice cream from their cart, others who are selling sliced fruits, and people in food truck carts selling a variety of different foods. Many of the delis and food establishments were usually in the main avenues/ street, they weren’t spread out. This is interesting to note because most of the foot traffic would pass through these main streets therefore attracting more individuals/customers. Additionally, I feel it’s important to note that area and the types of stores that can potentially bring individuals to the foodscape. For example, in the area Woodhull Hospital is located right under the train stop. The hospital brings individuals into the foodscape through patients having to go to their appointments but at the same time you have the workers who are working in the hospital. The Guadalupana Bakery was once mentioned in a New York Times article regarding Pan de Muerto, which is bread individuals get for the day of the dead.
This area around where I live there’s a local Food Bazaar that’s pretty big and has been around for as long as I can remember. What’s interesting about the location of the supermarket is the fact that there are 4 fast food places approximately a block away. This Food Bazaar isn’t the only supermarket nearby but some individuals prefer going to bigger chain markets like BJ’s to pay their monthly groceries. Many individuals prefer places like BJ’s because they offer products in bulk and that ends up being cheaper even though you have to pay for a membership and the train or car ride there and back.
Question-
Why do individuals prefer markets like BJ’s instead of going to local markets ?
Struggle meals are meals that are made with food lying around when funds are low. Everyone has their own versions of struggle meals, including foods like ramen. For me it’s interesting how different foods for certain individuals aren’t considered struggle meals but for others they are. In the TikTok clip mixing corn with mayonnaise was considered a struggle meal while for the other individuals in the video it was a regular meal called esquites. The difference of the food that they are making shows how one could be a luxury while the other would be a struggle meal.
How do economic and cultural differences affect the way you look and cook food ?
El Rio Grande was a restaurant located in Murray Hill in Manhattan that was open for over 40 years. My father was a cook at the restaurant for more than 10 years and was laid off when the restaurant had to shut down due to rent prices. Many local and loved restaurants are forced to close because of rent increases. There are many different factors that influence the price of food we’re eating. Rent is a big aspect in whether a restaurant is able to close its doors or stay open and the cost of the food.
Question- When eating out do you go to nice areas or stay local ? Do you know of any restaurants that had to shut down due to a rent increase ?
Recently the government came up with the Restaurants Meals Program where individuals who don’t have a place to store or cook their food can go to different restaurants and eat. In my neighborhood there’s different fast food restaurants including McDonald’s and Sonic which are a part of this program. Fast food has been a big part of society even though the food isn’t necessarily healthy.
Question- Why do people prefer fast food ? Also, how has fast food became a staple food ?
Delmonico’s was the first restaurant to introduce fine-dining to NYC, but it was also a place where women made a political statement. At that time, women weren’t allowed in these establishments without an accompanying male or without the assumption of them being prostitutes. Delmonico’s allowed women to come and dine during lunch.
Question- How has the importance of fine-dining restaurants impacted NYC ?
Yaret Flores (She/Her)
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