Salmonella at the Taste of Chicago

I eat at lots of restaurants that many people might not visit. I've been lucky and never, to my knowledge, been afflicted by food poisoning.  Hearing about this past outbreak of  Salmonella at the Taste of Chicago sent me a mixed signal. Sure, outside in the heat bacteria thrive but at the same time I worry that people will extend a newly fueled fear of food poisoning to any ethnic eatery. While in no way do I condone filth in a restaurant it should be noted that no matter where you are eating there is a risk. Your meal is literally out of your hands and in someone else's and hopefully they've washed them.

Kitchen Confidential is a book that people think condemns the restaurant industry. I read it and while it's far from damning, it is very pragmatic. Let's extend that to the restaurant scene. The family owned restaurants have a lot more to lose and there's far more accountability there than at a chain restaurant where staff is not necessarily as invested.

I realize that this is a generalization but it is one in response to the generalization that ethnic food is prepared by people with a very different sense of cleanliness. That's a far more drasticly misinformed generalization because it ensures that you will be eating really boring food.

You've learned to digest everything from diet soda pop to Olestra – whether you know it or not you're already taking chances with your digestive system.

Comments

[Kelly Mahoney]

I just finished reviewing Kitchen Confidential for my site and I will never look at food the same again ... nor will I eat brunch. I heard that this particular incident has been linked to one booth serving Persian food.

[josh]

Apparantly the tahina sauce was the imported stuff from Ziyad Bros. Why they're selling stuff you could buy ready made at the grocery at the Taste is beyond me.

I worry that your "Persian Food" comment is just the reaction I was hoping people wouldn't have even thought it's accurate. The vendoR, Pars Cove, has been in operation in Lincoln Park for quite some time as far as I know without issue. To equate food poisoning to Persian food could misleading.

[josh]

btw... when I say Hispanic it's not to disparage any group but to point out that whether a restaurant is Pakistani, Persian or Polish, the kitchen staff is still hispanic.