Dominican food is so rich and flavorful with all the natural herbs and spicies that are used to prepare Dominican dishes.

Yet and still, the food we prepare doesn't get as much recognition as Cuban Food when in fact it's still very similar.

Is it because Dominicans don't know how to market the product to mainstream America? or is it because Fidel Castro has created a phemomenon with his secretive rule of Cuba?

because it is over cooked and served cold.

LOL! Although partially true.

I don't really know since I previously lived in europe, where the majority of people don't even know what is cooked here. As to the richness in species and so on, I find it to be the contrary, always cilantro and ketchup on top makes all the dishes taste almost the same.

At least as far as the latin population that's not of Dominican origin here in new york Dominican food is very popular. I have plenty of Puerto Rican, Central and South American freinds and acquantainces who rave about Dominican food. Even non-latinos are catching on over here. There's a Dominican restuarant I frequent in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where most of the clientele is composed of young white professionals and it's packed every time I go there. I agree that Dominican cuisine is similiar to Cuban food but I think most will agree that Dominicans use their seasonings more liberally than the Cubans do.

YOUR RIGHT ABOUT THAT

I agree with you Cibaeno that Dominican food is liked by many. However, there isn't a brand behind "DOminican" food like there is for Cuban food. It seems to me like Non-Hispanics and mainstream America know about going out to a Cuban restuarant and it's a cool thing to do. They salsa dance and eat the good Cuban Food. Cuban is a brand in the U.S., a well known brand for many. The "Dominican" brand in the U.S. hasn't been really developed. YOu don't really hear someone saying I'm going out to a Dominican Restaurant and dancing some merengue and bachata and eating the good Dominican Food. The "Dominican" brand doesn't quite exist or isn't as powerful as the Cuban brand in this regard.

I believe the brand meaning our influences, our culture is starting to hit mainstream America but it isn't yet. What do you guys think?

The only dominican brand in new york is crack,& coke, i'm afaraid domincans have a bad rep!!

I strongly disagree. The Dominican brand is much greater than that. The Dominican rep is better.

Cibaeño and NY4life both hinted on the reasons.
1-We do not market ourselves, and when we do, we do a poor job at it.

2-Dominicans over exploit anything good. We use seasons/spices too liberally
Sometimes you can't taste the individual ingredients because everything is swamped with seasoning.
just look at the spaghetti we make compared to Italians or American restaurants. With Italian spaghetti you can taste the individual herbs and spices and you can actually taste the pasta and the sauce separately.

3-Domincans insist on selling Dominican products by telling the world they are Dominican.
example, Merengue night club, el Cacique restaurante, Quisqueya Travel, El Quisqueyano. El Cibao Barber shop.

Dominicans insist on playing Merengue Bachata and displaying their fags and artifacts in most of their businesses. You dont see Lawyers in BMW 750 displaying an ethnic flag on their rearview mirrors. Dominicans don't know how to do this subtly and inconspicuously.

I'll give you more details. Cubans that arrived during the 60'e were the educated rich and middle class of Cuba. Because they are educated professionals they knew how to sell and market their country's Past and Culture. Arroz a la chorrera, a Cuban/Spanish dish we call asopao. Why do we call it asopao, because of the lack of education and lack of culture. Most Dominican immigrants do not have formal education and therefore lack a cultured life and understanding of i.e fine arts, cuisine etc.

I didn't say that Dominicans used their seasonings to liberally as a complaint...I like strong flavors and that's just one of the reasons I looove Dominican food...Our sancocho? The best. I'll put it up against any country's version of the stew..An asopao made from clams and shrimp?...fugettabbouttit...a mangu accompanied by what we call the "tres golpes"(fried salami, fried cheese and eggs sunny side up)..how's that for the first meal of the day?.. Our food has fans and I think it will definitely keep on attracting more.