When most people think of eating while traveling, the first thing that comes to mind is chain restaurants. While there are certainly some benefits to eating at establishments like these – such as familiarity and convenience – there are also a number of reasons why eating local is a better option. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of eating at local restaurants and diners when traveling. We’ll also provide some tips on how to find them!

One of the main reasons to eat local while traveling is that it allows you to experience the true culture of a place. When you eat at chain restaurants, you miss out on all of the unique flavors and dishes that make a destination special. Eating local also supports small businesses, which is always a good thing. In addition, locals are often happy to share their favorite spots with travelers – so eating local can be a great way to meet new people and learn about a destination from those who know it best.

So how can you find local restaurants when traveling? One easy way is to simply ask your hotel or Airbnb host for recommendations. Chances are they will be able to point you in the right direction. You can also use online resources like Yelp or TripAdvisor to find local spots that come highly recommended. Once you start eating local, you’ll never go back to eating at chain restaurants while traveling!

However great the other options are at finding local places to eat, the best way that I have found is to ask someone. Anytime you go through a town and are looking for the best local places to dine or go out and drink, the best recommendations usually come from those local to the area. For example, When I travel on road trips I will stop at a gas station or bar for a drink and ask the bartender or gas station attendant where the best restaurants are and where not to eat. Almost 100 percent of the time they will point you in the right direction. Doing this can yield some great results. It led me to finding one of the best burgers at a truck stop (yes a truck stop) in Mansfield, Wyoming a town with a population of 95.

Do you have any tips for eating local while traveling? Share them with us in the comments below!

Happy travels!

By: Dallas Coleman, Owner and Founder of Travel Slue