Ethnicity on the table: A content analysis of online reviews for Syracuse's cuisines

Abstract

This study examines the influence of race, ethnicity, and immigration on dining experiences through the lens of online customer reviews in Syracuse, New York. Using advanced computational techniques, it explores the nuances of food consumption patterns and their connection to interactions and relationships both within and between migrant and non‐migrant communities. The analysis encompasses reviews of 237 restaurants representing eight distinct types of cuisine, revealing a contrast between themes of authenticity in immigrant cuisine and familiarity in mainstream options. This highlights the intricacies of the “food social space” in American culture. Additionally, the study investigates cross‐cuisine visitation patterns, uncovering specific preferences across ethnic restaurants and offering new perspectives on theories of cultural omnivory and social stratification. This research marks a significant contribution to sociological studies in the age of big data, shedding light on how dining experiences are framed across different cuisines and the wider implications for restaurateurs and urban communities. Future research could extend to comparing reviews from diverse cities and contrasting online reviews with traditional restaurant critiques, thereby deepening the understanding of the food industry's dynamics and the complexities of diverse urban communities.