By Barry Zander
“Where shouldn’t we eat in town?” I’ve asked the same question in a thousand towns around the country during our travels, far too many times for my wife, Monique, to endure.
That contrary question almost always gets the right reply. After a blank look, the store clerk proceeds to name a greasy spoon to avoid, and then adds, “… But while you’re in town, the best food is at [fill in the blank]. And, while you’re here, you don’t want to miss [such-and-such] Park, just up the hill from the old guitar factory.”
Remember, this is a clerk who gets the same questions from half the lookie-loo tourists: “Do you have a bathroom I can use?” or, “Is there a McDonald’s around here?” They are often bored to tears standing there all day with that fixed smile, trying to look busy. The contrary question brings them to life, and we get the information we want.
Join me for one very memorable episode. We were driving through El Ritos, New Mexico, a shabby town whose better days were when outlaw gangs were prowling the West. We were looking for Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch somewhere in the vicinity, so we stopped at an impressive U.S. National Forest office.
It was there that I asked the lady ranger, “Where shouldn’t we eat in town?” Without a second of hesitation she stated confidently, “You have to go to El Farolito,” as she pointed right across the street. Looking at it incredulously, we decided that although it was pretty funky looking, we were hungry.
We opened the door reluctantly. It was mid-afternoon, but most of the tables were filled with genuine ranch-hands in dusty sombreros, well-dressed families, a quiet couple …
Along the entire wall to our right was a mural showing what was probably El Ritos in its glory days. On the left wall and next to us in the entrance were plaques, prize ribbons, framed magazine and newspaper stories from publications including Fodor’s, Gourmet, Bon Appetit. This was THE place to eat!! It was probably the best Mexican food we had ever tasted.
Ask the wrong question; you’ll often get the right answer. Give it a try.
##RVDT2537
I’ve never thought of asking that question. Kinda insulting to the towns people IMO.
Why? You don’t think there’s a place they avoid?
We’ve found one of the best ways to decide what diner or small restaurant to eat at is to look at the parking lot. If it’s full around meal time, the food is good. The locals are there.
We’ve found a lot of good places this way.
My wife always wants to stop at unknown restaurants and we been bitten too many times
i prefer the chains because they are always the same. A Mc Donald’s is the same state wide. If I want to experiment I’ll try a new recipe
I used to live in Taos for many years. And I’ve eaten at El Farolito. And nobody has ever had on a sombrero. Nobody wears a sombrero except in parades or other such events. This is a real “locals place to eat.” The food is definitely good.
Thank you, Barry! Great advice! Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂