What Exactly Is Fried Rice Syndrome What Exactly Is Fried Rice Syndrome (Image Credits: Pixabay) Fried rice syndrome is food poisoning caused by a bacterium known as Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), though honestly, the name makes it sound way more delicious than it actually is. The term “fried rice syndrome” originated from the first reported …
Megan Fairchild
The Meat Divide: Pork vs. Beef The Meat Divide: Pork vs. Beef (Image Credits: Wikimedia) Southern barbecue is mostly pork while Texas barbecue is mostly beef, and this fundamental split creates the biggest point of contention among pitmasters. Texas barbecue is all about the beef, with Texans preferring beef brisket, a cut that can take …
A Booming Market Worth Billions A Booming Market Worth Billions (Image Credits: Flickr) The market size of the Chinese Restaurants industry in the United States is $28.4bn in 2025. That’s not pocket change. As of 2023, the United States had around 37,000 Chinese restaurants, with businesses growing at a CAGR of 1.8% between 2020 and …
Most of us have heard that saffron is expensive. Some might even know it’s a spice that comes from a flower. Still, few truly grasp why this crimson thread commands prices that rival precious metals. Here’s the thing: when people call saffron “red gold,” they’re not being poetic. They’re being literal. In many markets around …
Pandemic Paranoia Changed Everything Pandemic Paranoia Changed Everything (Image Credits: Unsplash) Honestly, buffet restaurants are still taking hits from the pandemic – some scars might never fully fade. Garden Fresh Restaurants, which operated Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes buffet chains, was losing about $1 million per week after closing its 97 locations in March 2020, ultimately …
All-you-can-eat buffets once defined American dining culture. Families gathered around endless trays of comfort food, kids ran wild near the chocolate fountain, and the promise of unlimited refills made Sunday afternoons special. Yet something fundamental has shifted in recent years. Walk through any major city today and you’ll notice fewer buffet chains than a decade …
You’ve probably seen those reassuring words on your favorite snack package or drink bottle: “Made with natural flavoring.” It sounds wholesome, right? Pure. Like something your grandmother might have used in her kitchen. The clean label movement has exploded in recent years, with half of industry professionals identifying clean label ingredients as the leading consumer …
Have you ever picked up a brightly colored snack at the grocery store without a second thought? Most Americans don’t realize they’re consuming ingredients that other countries have deemed too risky for their citizens. While European nations have implemented strict precautionary measures to protect public health, the United States continues to allow these controversial additives …
Something peculiar happens when you bite into a perfectly grilled American burger halfway across the world. The juice runs down your chin in Tokyo or Dubai or Sydney, and for a moment, you’re eating something unmistakably familiar yet somehow transformed. It’s hard to say for sure, but the classic American burger has traveled farther and …
Ever accidentally offended someone at dinner without even knowing it? Dining customs vary wildly around the world, and what’s perfectly polite in one place might be shockingly rude somewhere else. From slurping your noodles to never touching your fork with your mouth, these cultural quirks can make or break your dining experience abroad. Let’s be …
Casu marzu has earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s most dangerous cheese. This notorious Sardinian delicacy contains thousands of live maggots that wriggle through decomposing sheep’s milk cheese. It’s been banned by the European Food Safety Authority which means it’s illegal to buy or sell. Yet it’s just one of many seemingly …
You probably think reheating last night’s rice is harmless. Most people do. Thing is, that innocent-looking bowl sitting on your counter could be brewing something sinister that even high heat can’t kill. Let’s be real, we’ve all done it. Cooked a big batch of rice, left it out for a few hours while we ate …
Picture this: your grandparents’ faces lighting up as they recall sweet memories from their childhood. The candy counter at the local five-and-dime, penny treats that felt like treasures, and flavors that defined an entire generation. Yet many of these beloved confections have vanished from our world, taking with them a piece of American history that …
The golden age of mixing your own Dr Pepper-Sprite concoctions at McDonald’s is coming to an end. After nearly two decades of letting customers serve themselves, the world’s largest fast-food chain is gradually phasing out the iconic self-serve beverage stations that have become a staple of the dining experience. This shift affects millions of daily …
The American fast-food landscape changes constantly, with new concepts emerging while beloved chains fade into memory. Some closures happen gradually over years, while others shock loyal customers with sudden shutdowns. These six chains once served millions of customers but have now completely disappeared from the maps, leaving behind only nostalgic memories and empty storefronts. Old …
Working behind those golden arches comes with its own set of unspoken rules and industry secrets. Former McDonald’s employees have finally started breaking their silence about what really happens in those fast-food kitchens. These revelations paint a fascinating picture of one of the world’s most recognizable brands, from corporate strategies to daily operational tricks that …
Buffets remain one of the most polarizing dining experiences in America. While customers see endless possibilities on those warming trays, restaurant staff witness a completely different reality unfolding behind the scenes. Buffets and cafeterias have experienced significant workforce challenges, yet those who remain have developed keen insights into patron behavior that might surprise you. The …
Picture this: you’re strolling through the grocery store, feeling good about your healthy choices. That granola bar with “whole grains” on the package? Perfect for your afternoon snack. The fruit juice promising vitamins? Great for the kids. The protein-packed yogurt? Exactly what your fitness goals need. We are all “cognitive misers,” said marketing expert Dipayan …
Walking down the soda aisle these days feels like stepping into a time machine. While shelves burst with endless energy drinks and wellness-focused sparkling waters, something special is happening in the shadows. Classic sodas that once ruled the cafeteria vending machines are quietly staging comebacks, much to the surprise of nostalgic fans who thought their …
When it comes to protecting your heart, the oil you choose for cooking matters more than you might think. Research shows that dietary intake of olive oil, particularly the virgin type, has been shown to improve several cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction, while poor diet quality is strongly associated …
The holidays aren’t quite what they used to be in American kitchens. While the scent of cinnamon and vanilla once filled homes during December, many families now reach for plastic containers instead of mixing bowls. While many Americans reportedly prefer homemade cookies over store-bought, ironically, traditional holiday cookie recipes continue to vanish from family recipe …
Fast food holds a special place in American hearts. It’s quick, it’s nostalgic, sometimes it’s downright magical. Yet in the ruthless world of chain restaurants, not every item survives. Some disappear quietly. Others vanish despite passionate fanbases begging for their return. The items on this list? They’re the ones that left a mark, the ones …
Walk into any grocery store with the intention of grabbing just milk and bread. Walk out with a cart full of snacks, magazines, and things you never knew you needed. Sound familiar? Let’s be real, it’s not entirely your fault. Grocery shopping is a carefully orchestrated process where every feature of the store is designed …
Let’s be real, we’ve all been there. You’re ready to whip up a delicious meal, you reach for that trusty jar of paprika sitting in your cabinet, and suddenly wonder: how long has this been here? The answer is probably longer than you’d like to admit. Spices might not spoil in the traditional sense, but …