Personal preference and availability are strong influencers of which ethnic cuisines consumers tend to eat, but another factor also plays a role – ancestry. "Many Americans trace their family history – whether established for generations or more recently rooted – beyond U.S. borders," said Annika Stensson, director of research communications for the National Restaurant Association.

"Food is often deeply ingrained in culture. You may not be able to visit all the places around the globe from where your family originated, but sharing a meal of those cuisines right here at home is an accessible way to connect with your ancestry," she said. A new report by the National Restaurant Association found that 43 percent of Americans say the ethnic foods they like to eat are tied to their family ancestry or heritage.

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Source: http://www.restaurant.org/