We will be going away for a mini-vacation this weekend. Hubby found some restaurants online that are mainly chain restaurants. I prefer to try out the local fare rather than a chain establishment. You can go to a chain restaurant anytime. The one good thing I find is that you can count on knowing what is on the menu and the prices too when you go to a chain restaurant. We know the food should be good at a place like Applebees, but there is always an off chance that it isn't. Which do you prefer? Local fare or a chain restaurant?
[question posted by ElusiveButterfly]
responses and comments:
I try to find a local restaurant. Oddly enough I often find and enjoy the food at "hole in the wall places". I also look for small establishments when I'm not on vacation also. There was one night my friends and I were at Harvard Square in Boston, we were suppose to go to a local pub for food and drink but it was packed so we roamed the streets until we found a small Indian food place and it was AWESOME! The Indian place looked like it was a converted basement it was below street level but the food was fantastic, the atmosphere was great and staff was out of this world polite. I wish I could remember the name of the place. But one thing is for sure I know how to get there ;). [barrudaki]
When we traveled up north we found some great restaurants hidden away on an old dirt road. My daughter and her bf took us to a few of them and the food was great and so were the prices. [ElusiveButterfly]
I like to go to the off the wall places and not chain restaurants. I find that you can usually get some delicious meals there and cheaper than the chain restaurants. [tyc415]
There have been a few that I wouldn't recommend anyone go to. One in particular is no longer in business. The service and food was horrible. [ElusiveButterfly]
whenever i go out of town esp a place that is new to me...i would always look for a local restaurant even a small resto but offers their local deli/food or we say their town's specialties...it is fun of the vacation and a way of maximizing beign there in the place... yeah you can always go to chain even everyday but you cant taste local specialties everyday with a good price...eating the town's food speacialty offers a great value... [petiksmode]
We try to seek out smaller places like a local grocer to find ready made sandwiches and soups. Sometimes we luck out. [ElusiveButterfly]
It's local fare all the way for me. We rarely eat at a chain when we're away because... well, I can get that stuff any time I want to at home. happy When we're going on vacation, I usually google "nameofcity dining" and see what comes up. I'll even make notes of what they have to choose from so that when we're there, we'll know which restaurant we'll like better. The local mom and pop diners win out every time for me. If it turned out to be a greasy spoon we didn't like, it's usually *still* better than a big chain we've had a thousand times. [katiedoubleu]
We did google to find some of the local restaurants. Unfortunately the motel my hubby chose is 4 miles from the beach. And, it is another 15 minutes from the major hub. I am not sure I want to be in the hub around dinner time either. [ElusiveButterfly]
Hi Elusive, the best part of chain restaurant is the price. But when I am traveling I like to go to local fare because this way I can know the local food. I have discovered very tasty foods this way. The fun of travel is see new things and try new things. Cheers and have a nice day. [teka44]
Often times the chain restaurants will serve some of the local dishes. But, that isn't too often. [ElusiveButterfly]
We do both, its nice to stop at the fast food chain places for a quick cheap lunch, specially when you have several people and are going to be gone for awhile. That does help to cut expenses. For dinner specially if its just two people is nice to go to a local place and try out something new. Have a wonderful time on your vacation, enjoy the time with each other. [Polly1]
We are considering bringing some sandwiches with us for our lunch the first day. We can always seek out a grocery store for the next day's meal. I am so looking forward to some alone time. The meals aren't as important. [ElusiveButterfly]
When I am away I love sampling the local restaurants. I dont like restaurant Chains too much and would then rather only have a sandwich than eating at a chain restaurant instead. [book1962]
We can always eat at a chain restaurant in our own town or the surrounding area. It is nice to check out the local places. [ElusiveButterfly]
Hmmmm, really i am more of a chain resturaint person because i dont wanna take the chance of the food being completley disgusting, then having to pay for it.... so i go straight to a chain were i know the food is good. [xXxMikesWifeyxXx]
I have eaten in chain restaurants where the food wasn't too great. A couple of times we found something not right with the food and they took the entree off the bill. [ElusiveButterfly]
I'd rather try local places when traveling. Might as well complete the adventure by trying something new! Local, small establishments are typically better and have a better atmosphere. I also wouldn't be opposed to trying a regional chain that isn't available where I live. [nerdytina]
If givin' my druthers, I would eat mostly at local places. I like to try new foods and new ways of preparing the old foods I already like. The good thing about the chains is that sometimes it is hard to find a local restaurant. [DarkDancer]
I normally go for local fare. 1. Different food,most of the time better than chain 2. normally cheaper. Plus it gives you a feel of the actual area you're at. [krysande]
Sometimes it's fun to check out the local fare. Like you said, chain restaurants are anywhere. Just take a chance. Life is about taking chances! My boyfriend says that to me all the time and I pretty much want to smack him but, sometimes he's right so go for it! [Opal26]
I go for a mixture of both depending on the situation. If I'm going to go shopping later on (like I always do on a vacation. Haha) then I tend to go for a chain restaurant. However, if I'm going to be exploring and getting the feel of the town, then I would settle for a local fare. [cherriholicxx]
I always try the local fare if your going to vacation in their town you should try to keep the money in the town which your visiting.You can find very good food in these places because they are usually family owned places.You have a great time,take care and be careful. [bfarrier1]
Some of the places we have been to that seem like they will be less expensive have turned out to be just the opposite. We always check the menu prices first before we order. [ElusiveButterfly]
i find that sometimes a chain is cheaper than local fare, but if there is no local chain, we go to a local place. like tomorrow, we are going to the beach and there is a great place at the beach where you can get foot long hot dogs. [cher913]
I know of a place that is on seacoast and is in a small shack beside the road. It serves only hot dogs and there is always a long line of people waiting. [ElusiveButterfly]
When I go out of town or on a trip I like to eat at restaurants that we dont have where I live. I like to try out new places to eat. Most of the time the new places have great food and it not that expensive. [babystar1]
They say when you see alot of locals at an establishment that is a great place to eat. [ElusiveButterfly]
We usually just do KFC or McDonalds... and maybe once or twice go to a fancy restaurant. We try to conserve as much money as we can. [OreoCookie3]
Funny thing about McDonalds on the seacoast. You can get lobster rolls at a great price too! [ElusiveButterfly]
I like Cracker Barrel the most. California Pizza Kitchen is also on my list. Potbelly Sandwich Works can work for me as well. I sure prefer local restaurants. When on vacations, I eat on the road, so I have no chance for local restaurants, but chain only. [polachicago]
Cracker Barrel has home like meals with good price. They are next to almost every highway. [polachicago]
we do, we alwaysdo the local food chain. we always go on vaction with the kids so thats the best place, and usually its alot of us going on vaction at 12 of us. so they come in handy lol. we just all put in towards the bill and tip [WANDALIE44]
I like chain restaurants cause I know their prices, I know what types of foods they serve and I know that I'm not going to pay a lot of money for a little bit of food. However sometimes it is nice to be able to go to a new place regardless of how much money you'll spend just to have a good meal. [highflyingxangel]
I love to try out the local fare, but my hubby would rather stick with the chain and what he knows. That way he knows what to expect and what he will pay. Except when we are in Las Vegas, then we usually do the buffets. It is fun, they are all a bit different and now we know which ones to steer clear of. When I'm off by myself in Tucson, I let my daughter and her hubby take me where they know is good. But, I am adventurous when out of my own backyard and love to sample the local places. I just have to watch out for the costs and the types of foods they serve. [creativedreamweaver]
Sometimes when we're all really hungry we tend to eat at food chains so that we don't get disappointed with the food. But most of the time, traveling entails experiencing the local favorites so we ought to be a little more adventurous and try out their local fare. A lot of times it takes us so much time to decide on what to order because the food is unfamiliar. And it's always a hit-or-miss because we don't really know how the food will turn out or what ingredients go into a dish. Personally, I prefer a chain restaurant, but then again, the point of traveling is to check out the local scene, so I don't mind trying out the local fare. [mimico]
Normally when I am travelling whether on business or leisure, I would rather crave for local food. I would try to search for the most famous restaurant or food that the place is known for. However, when I get a stomach upset, then I would go back to the known chain. One time I was in India, I tried a lot of local food, after every meal I get sick since my stomach is not used to eating spice and curry, so I ended up eating in Mc Donalds and some chinese restaurants... [jenyenh]
We are always on the lookout for something local. Hubby calls the others Yuppie chains. We usually are very pleasantly surprised. Both about the food, and the prices. We are currently playing a money game with ourselves, though, and not eating out. I think we have not eaten out for three weeks today. We will buy a salad from a grocery salad bar, but not much else. We will go to the lake tomorrow, and spend the day, and eat from the coolers. I am looking forward to that. [GardenGerty]
I think its best to try out local fare, but only with recommendation of a local. I've found ads in hotels or flyers to be very unreliable. I've gone to some really bad places that way. On the other hand, I've gone to some real dives that you wouldn't dare go into without a recommendation, and that's where the best food is. [tthom64]
hi elusive butterfly its more fun to patronize new places and see if you might find some really good local food there, we all can dine at chains at home, but on vacation why not check out some local cafes and see how good or bad they are, and maybe they serve things you wont get at a chain either. I like to try new places myself just for fun. [Hatley]
i prefer to try out the local restaurants if i go on a vacation rather than chain restaurants which i had eat often... i want to make use of the opportunities to try out new foods when i am on holiday since i already spend my valuable time and money to go to the place... enjoy your vacation and hope to hear from you soon... take care and have a nice day... [lingli_78]
When I decide to go away for vacation,firstly,I shall google for recommendation,find the interesting place there and local tasty food.When get the place I always go out looking for a restaurant offer real local food and enjoy the delicious,it a important part of travelling [lixiaoya]
I prefer somewhere small, but usually just go anywhere that looks pleasant and offers vegetarian options. [creative_genius]
I like to try the local fare, especially on the beach, then ,you can experience the freshest seafood. [howellslj]
I like going to the local restaurants instead of the major chains, as long as they are nice. The way I see it, I could eat at McDonald's anywhere and anytime but you might only have one chance to try the new & different place. Have found some really nice places to eat that way. The good thing is there are lots of sites with restaurant reviews you can always try to get an idea of what they serve & how it is before you go. [vera5d]
I agree with you. You could try some local chains that way you and hubby will both get what you are looking for. That is what I try to do generally. It is a choice between that and local restaurants. When we were in Hawaii we went to a chain restaurant only once. That was Denny's becasue it was the only thing open really early and we wanted to have breakfast. That was the only reason. [snowy22315]
usually chain restaurants because they are easy to find when traveling. our minds are on other things to see and we just want a quick bite to refuel. [greenglitterturtle]
Hi Elusive, When vacationing, I always enjoy trying out the local fare. It is usually surprising at how good it is. Sometimes it is even better than anticipated. Prices are comparable at most local places. Isn't that part of the reason we go on vacation. to enjoy ourselves? Rest and relaxation are great, but we need to eat as well. Local chains are available on the home front, so while away from home let's just go out and enjoy the local fare. It can't be that bad, can it? How are we going to know unless we try it? Good luck Elusive, and enjoy your vacation, and the local fare. Have a nice day.. [crazy_ol_lady]
We were traveling down south west once and stopped at a local restaurant and it was dirty and terrible. There were lots of truckers there. I wonder now if they were selling something besides food. But that ruined any desire that I had for eating at the local restaurants. We now stick to the chain restaurants. [villageanne]
You really have to pick and choose when you are out on the road. Sometimes even a parking lot filled with locals doesn't mean that the food is good. Perhaps they stopped there for the same reason and were just as unhappy with their meals, service, and the establishment too. I found this to be true when we stopped to eat at a local eatery about 30 miles from where we live. It is now closed. [ElusiveButterfly]
I like it when locals recommend a place. I was visiting family last summer in NJ and most of the places we went to were places that were recommended to us. One is where my... step-cousin... works. Another my aunt ordered pizza and subs from. Another was a place my other cousin's wife suggested, etc. We did eat at a place called Charlie Brown's that's a chain, but we don't have it in Texas. We meet some other cousins there. But the best place we ate was this Italian place in one of the casinos in Atlantic city - AWESOME! [ElicBxn]
Well, there are times that it can be quite helpful to know where some of the Chain restaurants are in your area for the times like for Breakfast, or lunch when you might just want something quick to eat. But when it comes to Dinner a lot of times when I am in a New town, or even one I am familiar with, we like to venture out a little and find somewhere new to try. Maybe something that is like a Mom and Pop establishment, or something close by that someone else might have recommended as well. When we went to NYC last yr. in September, we found a cute little joint like this that was close to our Hotel, and actually quite reasonable. The food was very good as well. So now if we ever get back to NYC we know at least one place to eat at. Also when we were recently in Portland, OR we found a nice restaurant to eat that is run by a Greek man. The food there was quite good as well. So it just depends on what you are looking for. [KrauseHome]