When you travel, where do you eat?

[Agent Fred]

There are two schools of thought about eating "on the road," be it to a foreign destination or just to another state:

1) I prefer to eat at local restaurants so I can try something new and sample local cuisine.

2) I prefer to eat at chain restaurants, so I know I will like the food and get my money's worth.

Which one better describes you?

I am a "local restaurant" eater. My family, unfortunately, is full of chain restaurant types!

[zzzjoy]

I have to say I do some of both.
I like to sample local flavor, even some of the good old hole in the wall places.
You never know how the food is going to be at them though.
Sometimes a chain restaurant is a good choice if you are in a hurry.

[twocents]

I'm a local restaurant eater and I dig in and try everything. I think eating the local foods and eating with the locals, and I think it is the best way to appreciate the place I am visiting.

[Coda1108]

I ALWAYS go with the local restaurant school of thought. I generally ask as many locals as possible for suggestions. I consult the hotel staff, but usually not the concierge because I'm convinced they'll send me to the place that gives them the best perks! I'd much rather hear suggestions from other hotel staff; taxi drivers; people I meet, etc.

[frenchtowner]

I prefer to spend my money with the local restaurants because they don't have another location down the street from me. I guess if you really want to eat the same food all the time, you should just stay home!

However, those local restaurants sometimes serve some really bad food.

FT

[Simplyme]

I'd say definitely a little of both. I am not really good at experimenting with my breakfast so I like to stick with things I know. Dinner and lunch however I like to get some authentic food or just try something new in a new place.

[godsdragon]

I like to stick with what I know, unless I am staying a few days at a particular destination. So, for me, fast food or Cracker Barrel do the trick if I am on the go, if not I will try a good seafood or steak restaurant and see what happens.

[rosn]

LOCAL RESTAURANTS....are those where i always enter during when it comes to my trips. The main reason behind preferring the locals is that the money totally worth the dishes that are served out there.

[jsfarris]

I eat at the little dives I find when I travel. The little places are the best. I think a person misses out when they stop at the chain places. These days you also pay just as much going to the chains so why not have good food along the way. Most people don't do this in the US but will overseas which makes no sense to me at all.

[DianaR]

Since the bulk of my travels have been by car, we have filled a cooler with homemade sandwiches and chilled fruit.

When we do our yearly vacation week next week, in fact, we will probably eat dinners in the hotel restaurant.