Shot from the Sonora Celtic Fair (previously the Calaveras Celtic Faire). This is the group "The Wicked Tinkers." Very high energy. Also, in my mind, a Teriyaki Donut? Why. Besides playing Celtic music and originals, they play Celtic music with a didgeridoo. That's what the guy with the blue handprint on his face is playing.
For those who don't know, a didgeridoo is an instrument invented and used mostly by the Indigenous people of Australia, folks who are most definitely not Celtic. So how does a didgeridoo get introduced into a Celtic band? In this case, it's probably because it just sounds cool, but it's possible it was adopted by the early settlers of Australia, most of whom were Irish and Scottish.
You have to remember that Australia originally was a British Penal colony. In fact, there's a really old joke about it. "Q: What's another name for an Australian? A: An Irishman who got caught." That's the joke. Anyway, it's possible that the Irish who were sent to the island and then settled there after being released from prison adopted the didgeridoo as a substitute for the bagpipes in Celtic music.
This group, of course, also has added a very distinct American rock tone to its music as well, thus further adding to its Teriyaki Donut status in my mind.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Teriyaki Donuts
Another Teriyaki Donut joint in Modesto, California. But wait, there's more. It's also a gas station! And better yet, it also has a Mexican restaurant too (not pictured, but take my word for it)
Teriyaki Donuts
Another Teriyaki Donut joint in Modesto, California. But wait, there's more. It's also a gas station! And better yet, it also has a Mexican restaurant too (not pictured, but take my word for it)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Jan 20 2008 Molinari
Found in north beach - a long-established Italian deli that serves enchiladas. We have to remember that the fastest growing "minority" group in California is the Hispanic/Latino group, and they are obviously creating influence on all other ethnic groups in the state. It will be interesting to see how much tastes and cultures will change in the next 20 years because of this shift.
Jan 20 2008 Happy New Year
This was in the door to a private residence in San Francisco. It's Mickey and Minnie Mouse wishing everyone a Happy New Year in both English and Chinese. While not surprising since Disney is such a world-wide venture, it's a nice reminder that the American culture has really spread round the globe in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. For some reason, I couldn't help but think of the movie "Blade Runner" which so brilliantly mixed American, Chinese, Japanese and Arab cultures seamlessly throughout the film, including inventing a language that was a mix of all four cultures.
Jan 20 2008 Bagels and Vietnamese Sandwiches
Found a restaurant that sells both Bagels and Vietnamese sandwiches in San Francisco. Oh, and English tea too.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Teriyaki Donut from Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown"
This was sent to me from a reader of this blog. It's the Teriyaki Donut shop that Quentin Tarantion used in "Jackie Brown." Courtesy of Todd Mecklem.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Greek Nachos
I know, I know. This was the same booth I photographed last year. I just can't resist. I have a weakness for curly Greek nachos.
Cajun Sausage burgers
Another favorite at the Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, California. These are such easy targets for this blog.
Fried Vegetable cajun corndog Polish sausage
An oldie but a goodie. Taken at this year's Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, California.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Greek Pizza or Italian Gyros?
Found this just off of Fillmore in San Francisco, about a block down from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. While it would make sense, in a way, to mix Greek and Italian food - after all the two countries are close to the same neighborhood on the globe - there is so much that could be said about this combination.
For example, is it a pizza with lamb meat or is it a Greek sandwich smothered in cheese and tomato sauce?
There's also the issue of the origin of the pizza. Some historians claim the pizza is firmly American. Others say that the pizza we normally buy in the states has a distinct flavor, but that there is in fact an Italian pizza, or "pissa" meaning flat bread (the derivative pita is believed to have come from pissa). I've heard arguments that Focaccia bread is actually the Italian version of pizza, as that bread also comes smothered in tomatoes and cheese in some varieties. Recently, the Italian legislature debated a law that would set limitations on what ingredients and style of pizza could actually be called "authentic Italian." So even they recognize a large variation in what is served elsewhere - especially in the United States.
Either way, I think this place firmly can take its place as a Teriyaki Donut.
For example, is it a pizza with lamb meat or is it a Greek sandwich smothered in cheese and tomato sauce?
There's also the issue of the origin of the pizza. Some historians claim the pizza is firmly American. Others say that the pizza we normally buy in the states has a distinct flavor, but that there is in fact an Italian pizza, or "pissa" meaning flat bread (the derivative pita is believed to have come from pissa). I've heard arguments that Focaccia bread is actually the Italian version of pizza, as that bread also comes smothered in tomatoes and cheese in some varieties. Recently, the Italian legislature debated a law that would set limitations on what ingredients and style of pizza could actually be called "authentic Italian." So even they recognize a large variation in what is served elsewhere - especially in the United States.
Either way, I think this place firmly can take its place as a Teriyaki Donut.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Oops ...
I have not forgotten about this site. I have just been really, really busy with the new job. But I have a few leads on some interesting "Teriyaki Donuts." So stay tuned as I get focused once again.
In the meantime, let me remind you that I am willing to take submissions. A few of you have said that you would submit photos and explanations to me of other culture clashes but none have transpired so far.
So I share the blame with you too. :P
In the meantime, let me remind you that I am willing to take submissions. A few of you have said that you would submit photos and explanations to me of other culture clashes but none have transpired so far.
So I share the blame with you too. :P
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Los Angeles 014
Mexican, German and Chinese food. Complete with overpriced American money-dispensing Machine. Or that's a Chinese ATM. Couldn't tell which.
Los Angeles 012
Took this in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend. It's a giant advertisement for German Beer, but it's using Mexican images. Huh?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Calaveras Celtic Festival 2007 2
Went to the Calaveras County Celtic Festival, a mish-mash of everything Celtic, American and renaissance. Yet another example of how Americans adopt so much from other cultures and call it their own. Actually, this guy is more of a character from a Conan movie than from Celtic culture, but when you are drinking Guinness all day, who really cares? eh?
Calaveras Celtic Festival 2007 8
Went to the Calaveras County Celtic Festival, a mish-mash of everything Celtic, American and renaissance. Yet another example of how Americans adopt so much from other cultures and call it their own. Here, Jazz trumpeter Michael Mooney plays an American folk song with the Sonora group "The Black Irish Band." Wow, I'm confused just writing that.
Calaveras Celtic Festival 2007 19
Went to the Calaveras County Celtic Festival, a mish-mash of everything Celtic, American and renaissance. Yet another example of how Americans adopt so much from other cultures and call it their own. This is the band Culann's Hounds from San Francisco. They play a mix of punk, American folk, French Folks and some Celtic-type songs, yet everyone called everything they did "Irish." God Bless America.
Calaveras Celtic Festival 2007 24
Went to the Calaveras County Celtic Festival, a mish-mash of everything Celtic, American and renaissance. Yet another example of how Americans adopt so much from other cultures and call it their own.
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