There’s nothing better than finding the perfect local restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal. I support eating locally (that is, not at a chain), in both my hometown and elsewhere. This supports local businesses and farmers. It also helps the local economy.
I travel a lot and make it a priority to eat in local restaurants at my destination. When I plan my trip, I start by planning the restaurants that I will eat at. I check local and regional newspapers and magazines, Yelp, TripAdvisor and Urbanspoon. I ask my friends for recommendations and even Google “best restaurants” to find a list.
When I see people eating at chain restaurants while on vacation in great food cities, it makes me sad. When I saw a friend of mine “check in” at a chain Italianrestaurant in Times Square while on vacation in New York City, I thought that the best Italian food available in the United States was just a few subway stops away in Little Italy. Chains are convenient, and you know exactly what you will get. But I want to share with you why I believe it is important to eat locally on vacations.
A taste of culture
The best part of eating locally is that you get to experience the culture. Each state, region or country has its own specialties. You wouldn’t eat Caribbean food in the Midwest, nor would you go to the south for clamchowder or up north for barbecue.
The best way to experience new cultures is through food. You can experience Cuban culture in Miami’s many Cuban restaurants, and through its sandwich shops. You can find collards and fried chicken made by Southern grandmothers for generations if you travel to the South. You can learn about the different regions of Italy by visiting.
The best way to understand a culture is through its food. Food brings people together, but the food itself, its preparation, and even where it is from are unique to every region. Culture can be difficult for young children to grasp, but visiting local restaurants will help them understand it.
Eat Better
Eating local food is the best way to experience a culture. Who better than locals to prepare the specialties of the region for you? You will almost always eat better at local restaurants. You can be sure that local restaurants who are in the middle of the region will do a good job cooking the regional specialties. They’ve probably been doing this for many years. You’re more likely to find great barbecue in the South at a small shack where the meat is slow-smoked out back, rather than a restaurant which produces barbecue sandwiches every minute.
Local restaurants are also more likely to buy their food from local producers and farmers. Produce and meats are more fresh because they don’t have to be mass-shipped to restaurants or travel hundreds of miles. Local restaurants use food that is available in the area. Fresh, not frozen and not laden with preservatives for a long trip. In Maine, for example, you can watch the daily catch of lobster being brought into the state. I don’t order Maine lobsters from 10 states away, or saltwater fish from the Midwest.
Support for the destination
Supporting local businesses is also a great way to help the city or town you are visiting. Local businesses are run by local families, and the money they earn is then reinvested in the local economy. Local farmers and suppliers benefit when local restaurants do well. This is the type of restaurant chain I enjoy!