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Fieldwork Assignment: Mexican Restaurants
Assignment: Visit three “Mexican” restaurants (see approved list on the course web site); write a 4 page (1,000 words) comparative analysis: due at class on _______________.
In doing the fieldwork for your report, be sure to inquire about the following items:
The names of the three restaurants, their addresses, and their phone numbers (and email/websites, if applicable)
The dates, days, and times of your field visits
The year established (either as a single restaurant on that site, or as part of a chain)?
Days and hours open to public?
How many tables/persons can be served in each restaurant at one sitting?
How many wait-staff work at one time? How many total employees?
Ethnic/linguistic patterns of clientele? ethnic/linguistic patterns of workers?
Themes for the restaurant, in terms of decor? in terms of the menu? other clues/evidence?
Ethnic and national backgrounds of the owners and managers? How long as owners/managers?
Type of clientele -- e.g., working class, middle class, upper class; outer characteristics (e.g., clothes)?
Diversity of menus? Special dishes? Range of prices on menu items?
How do the restaurants manifest their "Mexican" qualities? (e.g., decor, music, TV, live music?)
Do the restaurants have any participation or involvement in the surrounding community? If "yes," then in what way and through what programs?
Other, special features of the restaurants?
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Note: the above items should be considered and examined "comparatively" for all three restaurants visited.
