Restaurants that serve authentic cultural cuisine are one way in which the culture of another society can be experienced in the US through the context of food. For example, in the US, Chinese restaurants, especially those in Chinatown in Chicago, have provided a means for non-Chinese consumers to experience the cuisine and culture of China. For example, Won Kow has been serving food to Chicagoans since 1928.
Modules 3, and 4 address topics relevant to consuming food at restaurants serving “authentic” national cuisines. Module 3: Cooking examines public cooking and national cuisines. One way to think about national cuisine, besides cookbooks, is the menu of a restaurant. Module 4: Eating considers restaurants and the when/what/where/who of consuming food in public spaces. Chapters and learning objectives in both modules may be of interest and use to you in this project.
You should visit ONE restaurant that claims to serve authentic cultural cuisine. The cuisine cannot be “Americana”. By this I mean the usual assortment of comfort foods that are associated with American cuisine (e.g., mac/cheese, burgers, pizza, meatloaf, etc.).