It’s finally summer break for me and I couldn’t be happier. It’s actually been a few days of summer but I can safely say that in those few days I have slept more than I have during weeks in the school year, fallen in love with Lorde’s new music, successfully wanted to become Diana from Wonder Woman, cried over characters in movies and TV shows (don’t wanna spoil anything), ridden through enormous puddles in my flooded street and driveway on my bike, and been bitten by more mosquitos than I’d like to count.

BUT.

I have some advice for you. As someone who regularly enjoys eating food and traveling, I’m here to drop some knowledge on you.

EAT AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS INSTEAD OF RESTAURANT CHAINS!

This goes for when you’re traveling or just going out to eat in your own city or town. And you might be thinking, but I love my guac from Chipotle or I love my Big Macs! Well I’m here to tell you that you’re, as Donald Trump would say, wrong. And here’s why…

1. The Aesthetic Pleasure

As people say, you first taste with your eyes. No matter how appetizing I told you a soup that looked like vomit was, I’m preeeetty sure you still wouldn’t want to eat it. When you eat at local places, they’re usually smaller restaurants with adorable set ups and a cozy feel. The food itself just looks plain old BEAUTIFUL. You will never see me posting pictures of food from a chain restaurant because it just doesn’t look as nice as the food from cute little local restaurants.  Check out these photos I took from a cute little restaurant. If you want that cute Instagram Tumblr feel, go local for some cute set ups and artsy chill vibes. 

2. The Food Quality

In chains, they all get their supplies and ingredients from one location which means that the ingredients probably have to be frozen in order to be transported to each location. With local restaurants, most of the ingredients are grown fresh nearby so you’re not only supporting local farmers, you’re also getting the freshest food to put into your body and it tastes oh so good. For example, if you’re going to eat at your local restaurant, they could have grown the greens used in that salad or gotten them from local farmers or if you go get ice cream from a local ice cream shop, they probably make their own ice cream from their own dairy farms. Even fresh grown coffee beans will make some bomb diggity coffee. This way, you’re getting the freshest and healthiest foods to put into your body. This doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive either! Some of these places might even be cheaper than your local chain restaurant! Each place you travel to has their own special foods that they are known for based on the things they grow there, so you can guarantee that local restaurants will be using that ingredient to make delicious dishes you’ve never tried before.

3. When you’re traveling, you want to try and immerse yourself in the culture of the people who live there. I’m not saying straight up convert into the religion of that country, but try the different foods the place has to offer. Don’t stick to your McDonald’s when you can always branch out and try new things! Eating locally is also the best way to find out where cool attractions are and where the local people like to hang out instead of just going to the standard crowded tourist areas. Try the local dishes and try the fresh ingredients they have to offer you!

Whether you’re eating around your hometown or traveling to a new place this summer, pick the local restaurants over the restaurant chains! Trust me, both your Instagram feed and your tastebuds will be thanking me. Hit up those local cozy spots with good food and support your local farmers! Even the smallest ice cream parlor that plays the Grease Soundtrack on repeat with the creeeeepiest memorabilia ever can have the best ice cream you’ve ever had (true story).  Making this small change can make your vacation even better than you would have expected! 🙂

Kasual kook xx