There was sort of a similar situation in Costa Rica. You could get the national dish (Gallo Pinto) at just about any fast food joint. It was interesting to try the various fast food renditions of the same dish from American chains. It was actually a really weird navel gazing exercise. Like, I'm an American expat, at an American fast food restaurant, which is trying to make a version of this other country's national dish.
But yeah, when I wanted something from back home I would always opt for the tried-and-true.
I've never really had too many bad experiences with Food. The Times I did, I tried something new at a Fancy Restaurant or Taco Bell. I was on this week long cruise and I had Fried Crocodile, Escargot, and Raw Beef an Egg, I naturally tried other foods but those Three where the worst. I went to Taco Bell for that Doritos Locos Tacos, Shit had so much sour cream, so little beef. I supposed I'm lucky in the Food sense.
I love Gallo Pinto! I make it for the kids every week or so :D
Strange. I had the opposite happen to me: about 20 years ago I went to Costa Rica, and the restaurants would always try to push the "American" foods on me... hamburgers and etc. Seemed like they were always disappointed when I would ask for the casadas (gallo pinto, chicken, and platanos). Don't quite know why that would be the case.
Went to a Pizza hut in San Juan, and they baked coconut on my Pizza... it was awesome! Sometimes when we make pizza at home I'll do that just to trip my kids out xD