It's amazing reading about Lebanese immigrants to the U.S. They came longer ago and went to more places than most people realize. They came before there was a Lebanon. It was part of Syria and under Turkish rule. They came to New Orleans, Michigan, and the Mississippi River Delta, and lots of other places too. The first to arrive in the state of Mississippi came in 1875. Today many backwoods Mississippi BBQ joints feature Lebanese side dishes. The first to arrive in Okla. came in 1895.