Indianaolis Culinary Capital??

Midwestern cities aren't usually known for ethnically diverse cities. The people may come from all over the world bu t the tastes are usually mid American with chain restaurants and simple grocery stores. Not so in Indianapolis, It turns out this capital city is host to a wide variety of ethnic restaurants. The heartland doesn't just offer beef and potatoes. it has a whole new menu these days.

In a brilliantly written article for the New York Times Dining section, regular contributor, John T. Edge tells about the diversity in Indiana's capital.. It was once the home to just Germans, English , Scotch and Irish,. The city now has Burmese and Mexican. Pakistani and Salvadoran residents, all creating interesting foods. Restaurants now offer dishes like tikka masala and satays, enabling both newcomers and older residents to experience great international feasting.

Indianapolis is not a new phenomenon. There have been Vietnamese coming into New Orleans for four decades now, mixing Southeast Asian with Creole and Cajun cooking. There is Charlotte, North Carolina that has a big South American population. Empanadas and Southern classics mix freely. As with immigrants groups before them these new waves blend their tastes and likes in with the established to create a new kind of taste.

The heartland is changing. Gone are the days of the typical Midwestern meal of just meat and potatoes. new dishes are making their way into the Midwest, and they bring delicious winds of change.