Why I don’t use the word “authentic” when writing about food

I like using words, but "authentic" isn't one of them

A Filipino breakfast sandwich at Maven. Real and true.

I, like just about everyone else spend a good (or, more accurately, bad) chunk of my time on the Internet, and I see a lot of people talk about “authenticity” in terms of restaurant food. They want an “authentic” Chinese food experience, “authentic” ramen, “authentic” tacos. As a food writer, I can …