With the increased popularity of online reviews and social media, finding a local gem that is off the grid can be challenging. For those that haven’t found this food utopia, here are some tips for finding that hidden gem.
1. Know Where to Look
If you have access to an app on your phone, such as Yelp or Google Maps, search for “restaurants near me” or “nearest restaurants.” This will provide you with a list of options based on your location. If not, plenty of websites usually offer easy-to-use maps with information about all the locations near you. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but usually, this will be enough for most people.
2. Ask People
The best way to find good food is by asking someone. Even if you don’t know anyone who has tried the restaurant, people around you can point you in the right direction. For example,
the Urban Tandoor in Bristol & Clifton gets much of its trade from recommendations.
3. Don’t Be Shy
Start a conversation with customers or employees at restaurants that interest you. They are likelier to let it slip if they think a new customer will bring money into their business. They may also have been visiting this restaurant for years and have some insight into their menu that others wouldn’t have access to.
4. Go During Off-Hours
Major chains usually have consistent hours and days of operation (such as Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM). Smaller restaurants may be more unpredictable. If you can’t pinpoint when they are open, try your best to go on a weekday at off-hours.
5. Call Ahead
If the restaurant you are trying to find is open, try to call ahead and make a reservation if possible. Waiting in line on an average night might not seem like a big deal to some people, but lines can get quite long during busy weekends.
6. Look Out for Specials
Bargain with servers or managers; if they’ve been around long enough and know their business well, they will usually be willing to let you know about any special events (even if it’s only for one day of the week).
7. Do Your Research
Knowing a restaurant’s history is essential because it can tell you what kind of food they serve.
Look up reviews from past customers and see how long they have been around. If you decide to eat there, do the same research on their food. Pay attention to how many ingredients are listed on their menu and try to be familiar with at least one or two of them.
8. Google It
If you think it would be worth going to a restaurant, but you’re not sure about the price, type “[restaurant name] + menu” into Google and see what comes up.
Finding that hidden gem is not an easy thing to do. If you don’t have a lot of free time, you can usually find one or two in a day, but if you want to try them all and aren’t willing to compromise on quality over quantity, it may take some time. Don’t be discouraged; at least when you find that one great place, the time spent looking for it will be worth it.