All around the world there are different types of food, ranging from different ingredients, giving off great aromas and presented in a variety of ways. With countless restaurants around the world, there is an unlimited number of places to eat and choose from. For some individuals, the closest place to eat is an easy way to figure out where to dine. 

“I found out about I-Sushi [a restaurant that serves sushi and Japanese entrees] because I live near the restaurant. My friend and I wanted to eat there because it’s affordable and nearby,” senior Lannah Garcia said. 

Food not only serves to bring friends together, but family as well. Dishes can bring the community together over something that they all can enjoy. For senior Kian Torres, he mentions that being able to go out and eat at restaurants has been a way for him and his family to bond.

“When my family went to the Cheesecake Factory, we ate together. It was us being together for once after not being able to be together for a while. My sister is never home, since she’s going to California State University San Marcos to get her doctorate,” Torres said.

Food is a vital aspect of our lives and feels like an award. Throughout the years, people have combined multiple cultures together to create new recipes. Although some restaurants offer one cuisine at a time to put their main focus on it, English 11, AP English literature and Yearbook advisor Gabriel Garcia finds joy in places that have variation to it. 

“I love food that reflects the culture and I love to see it when it’s happening in the South Bay. I like what’s been happening with some of the modernizations of both Mexican food and Filipino food,” Garcia said. “With that, I have to say two of my favorite spots in the South Bay would have to be Taco Machin and Pizza Kaiju.”

Moreover, food is seen as a form of love language, providing people with the opportunity to express themselves without verbally saying anything. For instance, an individual may cook their significant other their favorite meal to show love and care. G. Garcia shares that this is a reason why he enjoys eating food.

“It’s an expression of love and it is the most consistent reflection of a person’s history and culture. That’s why I love food so much,” G. Garcia said. “The restaurants [Pizza Kaiju and Taco Machin] detailed the immigrated experience in a way that shows that we are able to marry our own cultural traditions with new ones.”

Before any other characteristics, food is necessary for any living organisms and eating something appetizing helps boost one’s mood and provides the body with the energy. Torres expresses that it is a pleasure of life and contributes to his well-being. 

“Food is the most important part of my day. I see what I am going to eat that specific day and it decides what mood I’m going to be in,” Torres said. 

The environment of the restaurant is crucial as well. Customers are more likely to enjoy their meal if the atmosphere is appropriate for the cuisine. For L. Garcia, she explains the joy of  getting her sushi during the Happy Hour. 

“It’s usually quiet at I-Sushi and not crowded. There’s a variety of dishes that are there. Me and my friends don’t have a sixth period, so we go there and get the happy hour deals,” said L. Garcia.

From bonding with friends to satisfying one’s appetite, restaurants are also places to create memories. Eating with those one cares about has an emotional impact like decreasing stress levels and releasing the stress. G. Garcia explains the memories he made with his parents, while eating a taco at Taco Machin.

“My favorite dish [at Taco Machin] there is taco El pastor, which actually has Mediterranean roots. It does take me back to going to Tijuana with my parents and eating tacos del abada, which is a nice ritual. It really does have that taste of childhood in it,” G.Garcia said.

For L. Garcia, she recalls the moment when a popular Twitch streamer, Pokimane, reposted a photo she took in I-Sushi on Instagram. She fondly remembers when that moment happened.

“[I-Sushi] also holds an emotional value to me because I posted a picture of my friend in the sushi place and there was Pokimane on the TV in the background,” L. Garcia said. “I posted that picture on my story and Pokimane saw it and she reposted it.”

Although restaurants can be associated with memories, the fusion of food is another memorable experience. There are multiple ways to take original dishes and add twists to the recipe. Ingredients can be manipulated to create a completely different dish. G. Garcia mentions that he appreciates places like Taco Machin and Pizza Kaiju to have put a mix on cultural and traditional food dishes. 

“Each of those places has taken a look at some traditional dishes and have found ways to update them to embody the Mexican American and Filipino American experience,” G. Garcia said. “They are somewhat traditional but they’re also challenging those traditions with a little bit of modernity and creativity.”

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