On 12/4/2010 7:47 PM, L G wrote:
> Retirednoguilt wrote:
>> On 12/3/2010 8:08 PM, L G wrote:
>>> Retirednoguilt wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Fast Food is dead. Lone live local, slow food.
>>>>>
>>>>> -sw
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sure; but when you are on the road , in an unfamiliar area, on a
>>>> schedule and hungry, and without reputable recommendations, how much
>>>> time do you want to spend researching local, single proprietor
>>>> restaurants to find a place that serves wholesome local food that
>>>> matches your palate, with prompt service and at an economical price?
>>>> For me, that scenario is the only time I patronize (a few) chain
>>>> restaurants. They do have a place, but for me, it is a limited one.
>>>>
>>>> As far as fish is concerned, I've occasionally been served old,
>>>> possibly spoiling fish at highly regarded, quite expensive fish
>>>> restaurants that repelled me even before the waiter set the plate in
>>>> front of me. I've never become acutely ill after eating at a chain,
>>>> although I won't vouch for the possible long term effects on my blood
>>>> pressure or arteries!
>>>>
>>>> With fish almost more than with any other food, quality control is
>>>> essential. Some chains do it very well even though their preparations
>>>> are often loaded with salt and/or saturated fat. I tend to eat most of
>>>> my fish at home. I can see and smell what I am buying, and I am in
>>>> control of the recipe.
>>> Ask the locals. You might end up in a place you would never try. I used
>>> to travel a lot and found some great restaurants that way.
>>
>> Very unlikely that in a remote area anyone is going to recommend
>> anything other than a national chain or their relative's place,
>> regardless of quality.
> I post from experience. Have you traveled much? Have you asked the
> locals for a recommendation? I have many times without a bad experience.

Let's see, 30 years in the military, 2-5 trips/year since 1982 either to
visit relatives or for vacation. Been to different parts of Canada 6-8
times, Central America, South America, USSR (when it still was the
USSR), Russia, all of Scandinavia, all of western and most of eastern
Europe too many times to keep count of, Japan twice, Iceland a few
times, and a good many trips to places I could tell you about but then
would have to kill you. You decide - have I traveled much?

Have I asked locals for recommendations? In this country, all I ever
seem to get for recommendations in the more rural areas is Pizza Hut,
Burger King, Taco Bell, Olive Garden, and their competitors. When I'm
going to suburban/urban areas, I do my own restaurant research on the
web before I leave home because I really enjoy eating good food and when
I'm traveling, I hate to eat at a chain that has a branch within 10
miles of my house at home!

Local recommendation on the road are as tricky as they are at home.
Some of my neighbors think that the national chains are some of the best
restaurants you can find. You know, if you travel to my neighborhood
and ask my neighbors for their recommendations, you will be asking the
"locals" here. What makes the "locals" elsewhere more aware of my
tastes and criteria for good food than the "locals" on my street?