So what is it with Greeks and diners?

I'm not sure why this happens, but it seems to be a universal thing. And from this, stereotypes are born. I'm Greek, and my family owned a diner for 28 years. In this particular case, I think it is just because food is a very central part of the Greek culture. Greeks also tend to be very hard workers, which is definitely a requirement in the restaurant business.

Foreign citizens make groups, sort of a family and as you know people tend to follow the family business. It is easier to learn a job from somebody who already knows it. So one follows the steps of the other. It is not genetic !

If you visited a good history museum that explained early America, the "melting pot" you would discover that immigrants lived in certain areas of a city together, not really mingling with everybody, except in business, and for Greeks a great business was food and restaurants. (also fishing). In my city in its early development over 70% of restaurants were owned by Greek Families. A lot of corner grocery stores to. I imagine it all started with one family that could make some great meals, and others saying Hey, we can do that too. I would wager that most original restaurants in America were either Greek or Italian, People went out to eat only on special occasions. People went out to eat something they didn't make at home. This is when transportation was by walking or horse. Before vehicles, people did not travel far, neighborhoods developed near the center of a city, which was usually "downtown". There was no "fast food" of course. Fast food back then would be a deli making sandwiches.

And as far as foods go, I am not putting down German, or Irish or British foods, but I bet you can't count as many dishes from these cultures as you can Greek or Italian dishes. Of course Mexican, Oriental, Indian, African and other restaurants would come much later in history. Heck Sushi wasn't even around here until a few decades ago.

Ephemeron.

I think the reason why you see many restaurants from Greeks, Italians, Asians, Indians.....here in USA is because that's all they know what to do for a living to start. That's especially true for the first generation families. Their kids at least can go to college and start doing something else. So you may think it's nice that people are making food from their own countries but that's because they have to at the beginning and still do..Good thing we all have to eat.

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