I was born in the mid 60's. So yeah, I am old (doesn't seem long ago but seems like forever). We were always somewhat of a foodie family, my parents would take us out to real restaurants, fast food was pizza, rarely McDonald's.
I do miss the neighborhood grocery/butcher shops. Hell, through the mid 70's, my neighborhood had like 3-4 within walking distance. And the meat then was fresher, not some mass factory delivered stuff. Plus I remember things like veal kidneys (which were quite good) and stuff like that real hot dogs with that snap skin and homemade kielbasa. I miss that.
But man, there were no of ethnic influences other than European (Italian, German, and the Eastern Euro countries). Food was really boring. Bread was really boring. Veggies were killed. Mush. Canned or frozen.
My mom was and is a fantastic cook, and thank god we didn't have alot of that crap that people served in the late 60's and 70's. Tune Noodle Casserole? I grew up Catholic, so Lenten things like Salmon cakes were (still are) staples. But so damn glad we never went here. Tuna salad for sandwiches and especially tuna melt sandwiches? Sure. Hamburger Helper? Thank god we didn't do this stuff.
But I can remember, and it my grandfather who got us hooked, when we would stay over, me, my brother and cousin, our favorite lunch was sardines in mustard sauce with crackers! Or Oyster Stew with canned oysters. Now, I love oysters, and I love fish, but I couldn't eat either of those things from my childhood now I don't think.