The $16 Taco

Más información sobre el libro

White middle-class eaters are increasingly exploring historically segregated urban neighborhoods for "authentic" dining experiences in restaurants run by immigrants and people of color. This growing interest raises questions about its implications for these communities. Pascale Joassart-Marcelli examines the intersection of ethnicity, race, food, and place, shedding light on food gentrification and the resulting emotional, cultural, economic, and physical displacement. Focusing on three San Diego neighborhoods, she illustrates how "authentic" ethnic cuisine draws affluent white consumers while the local black and brown populations face economic insecurity and food apartheid. Through interviews with residents who work, live, cook, and dine in these areas, Joassart-Marcelli reveals how foodscapes are shifting from serving long-time minoritized residents to catering to wealthier newcomers. She discusses how food acts as a catalyst for gastrodevelopment, an urban strategy linked to food gentrification. The author highlights the resistance of immigrants and people of color against gentrification and their fight for food sovereignty. Ultimately, the work provides insights for cities nationwide, addressing the negative impacts of foodies' fascination with ethnic cuisine on local communities that have historically relied on it for livelihood and belonging. It critically engages with cosmopolitanism and the limitations of consumer-driv