Culinary Diversity

Here in Houston, where I am spending WAY too much time, there is a Mexican take-out restaurant in the lobby of the building where my office is. I stopped in last week and was perusing the menu, trying to make up my mind. The fellow behind the counter was trying to be helpful and when I told him that I was thinking about the Cuban sandwich (Cubano), he encouraged me to get it. I told him that I was from New York and that I had access to good, authentic Cubanos, and could be quite critical. He told me that if I didn't like it, he would make me something else.

Lo and behold, it was quite good.

I returned today to pick up another Cubano. The same fellow greeted me and told me that he hoped I had a good Easter. I told him that I didn't celebrate Easter. He responded that neither did he. I told him I didn't celebrate it because I am Jewish. He told me that he is Muslim, and went on to say that he is Palestinian. We joked about meeting outside to "mix it up" (yes - it WAS joking) and he made me another Cubano.

It was as I was leaving that it struck me.

I had ordered a Cuban sandwich,
In a Mexican restaurant,
In Texas,
Made by a Palestinian.

Only in America!