/ck/ - Food & Cooking

>be me, twelve
>grow up on west coast, where Jap food is generally pretty safe and good, on average
>on vacation to New York State to see grandma
>about 5 miles outside of NYC proper
>go to highest reviewed Japanese restaurant in area
>I order the sushi combo, dad orders udon
>sushi is slightly grey, taste like it's about three weeks old
>dad's udon comes with pic related as the spoon
why is it impossible to get good food outside of cities in america?