jeff59 wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 11:40 pm I am sitting here in Kansas reading this....
The closest mcdonalds is 20 miles from my house.....I would not eat there if you paid for it.
In my kitchen I have a grow light and have at present----12 types of lettuces---arugula----Thai sweet basil and cilantro growing...
Outside, I have a fenced in garden that is 30 meters by 20 meters..
If I was not heading to Thailand and Cambodia in July--I would have planted a variety of crops.
My neighbor has hogs and chickens and I have hormone free pork and free range eggs.
I cook every meal I eat ---I am looking forward to being back in Thailand soon where my lady cooks for me.
I use fresh ingredients every single day --even in winter--because I grow whatever I want indoors --
Perhaps, I am a rarity these days.
I was a Chef for over 20 years and worked all over the USA after I finished Culinary School.
It is quite shallow to believe that people in the USA eat only at fast food places or out of cans and microwaves.
Just walk into any market and you will find fresh produce year round.
That said, I think it is difficult for single working parents to cook fresh meals every day--
The USA I grew up in --is not the USA of today---
But, as summer begins there are millions of people growing tomatoes and other garden vegetables and city markets all across the country are beginning to open on weekends where fresh produce can be had from local growers--
I had 12 types of tomatoes last year in my garden---8 types of peppers---
I buy seeds from Thailand and China and grow exotic herbs and vegetables--
I grew up in the city --but-- my grandfather was a farmer--and my mother always had a garden--
My aunt and mother would can vegetables and make apple butter from the apple tree by our patio--
I only open a can for my dog-
I use my microwave to re-heat --
I freeze and can vegetables I grow and make blueberry jam every August when the Michigan blueberries are at the market--
I think it is how you are brought up and what your schedule is.
It is very tough for families that have to work long hours to try and keep up and prepare fresh meals --
I have spent my life cooking almost every day--
I have lived all over the world and travelled and learned cuisines from many places--
I look forward to learning Khmer food---
I have been cooking Thai food for over 30 years after having Thai older ladies in my hometown Kansas City teach me--
I spent 6 months a year for 5 years in Argentina cooking every day ---one of the most incredible places on Earth --
I had to laugh in Samui a few months ago when I tried to explain to my friends that KFC ---WAS SHORT FOR KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN

AE86 wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 11:43 pm

StroppyChops wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 9:06 pm We paid nearly 10 bucks for two coffees at Brown the other day (not by choice, it was a business meeting) and I think it may have been made in someone's shorts.

I've eaten at Browns probably 5 times in 7 years, and never once have I understood why it's popular.

StroppyChops wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 9:06 pmWe paid nearly 10 bucks for two coffees at Brown the other day (not by choice, it was a business meeting) and I think it may have been made in someone's shorts.

hanno wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 12:29 pm http://www.macalawright.com/2016/01/ame ... k-at-home/

AE86 wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 11:43 pm

StroppyChops wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2017 9:06 pm We paid nearly 10 bucks for two coffees at Brown the other day (not by choice, it was a business meeting) and I think it may have been made in someone's shorts.

I've eaten at Browns probably 5 times in 7 years, and never once have I understood why it's popular.

hanno wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2017 4:56 amIt appeals to the Khmer Hipsters and wanna-be's. Service is shite, F&B is vastly overpriced but if you are a pretentious Khmer or NGO type, it is the place to see and be seen.

vladimir wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2017 8:09 amThose bloody civets at it again!

StroppyChops wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2017 12:36 pm

Me either, I just don't get the appeal. Maybe it's just that's it's similar in the Khmer mind to Starbucks, and therefore must be good, because it's American.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2017 1:09 pm

StroppyChops wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2017 12:36 pm

Me either, I just don't get the appeal. Maybe it's just that's it's similar in the Khmer mind to Starbucks, and therefore must be good, because it's American.

I was amazed when the first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf places opened up years back, and expected they'd fail as they were so expensive. They didn't, they were very popular and expanded. Brown Coffee is a local brand, and is hugely successful. The drinks/ food are only part of the reason, people like hanging around in a nice cafe and using the WiFi etc.