When vacationing, do you make it a point to eat the local foods?

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

In Maryland, crab cakes. In Maine, lobster rolls. In New Orleans, creole. In New York, pizza. In Ireland, shepherd's pie.

In Disney, mouse??
Seriously, when my brother was in China, he was served Mouse.

When you vacation, do you make it a point to try the foods that are associated with the area?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I always go out of my way to eat the most unique local food I can find. But in Maine I opt for whole lobster, rather than lobster rolls

I think China would be one place I might not be quite as gung ho... and I eat some pretty weird stuff. I am especially drawn to local sushi/sashimi in various places - in California the options were quite different from what I'm used to in New York.

The tapas in Spain can get pretty interesting, too.

I'm curious to know what the weirdest food people have eaten in various places might be. Trying to remember mine.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

I have had a few bad experiences eating out. That doesn't mean that I don't eat out. It just means Im picky where I eat out. I like to see stainless steel cooking surfaces and clean kitchens. Hot food, no salads. One thing that really bugs me when eating out is hair. Hair can happen anywhere. Even the good places sometimes have a hair problem.

[OldManBeholder Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldManBeholder]

I do usually try to sample local fare. Wife .. not so much as she is very picky. I just try to make sure when overseas, that nothing is .... ahhh .... on the restricted list. Because coming home and popping positive on a drug test would be bad.

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

One of my favorite things to do is shop at a local supermarket or even better - farmer's market!

In Italy we signed-up for a cooking class. Our first stop was at a farmers' market for fresh ingredients. What a fun experience! Claudia (our guide) was so excited to see that strawberries were in the market - as she said, you can get strawberries year-round in the supermarket, but what a difference tasting in-season strawberries! Fresh bread, meats cut specifically for us (no week-old FDA inspection sticker and plastic wrap), artichokes trimmed by the produce seller! We also shopped for local wine and then learned to cook a fabulous meal. My BIL wants to return to Italy just to replicate that day!

Since we were on a tour in China, we were shielded from really the exotic. The one thing that was very noticeable in China was how important food and sharing meals is to the culture. I would say one of the best meals we experienced was prepared in a local home.

Maria

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

When I was in Bali we also had a really nice meal at the home of our guide. But even I decided I had to stay away from the mystery meat. Because (at that time at least), when I had asked what the dog's name was, I was told that they don't name their dogs in Bali, because they eat them.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

We ate Mr Meyers dog. Its name was Oscar. It was a wiener. Taste was pretty decent when eaten in a bun with a little ketchup, mustard, mayo, onion and relish.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I like to do like Mpizza and always try to go into the local markets and grocery stores.
Many times the prepared foods are decent and I never cook anything on vacation, just like
to have something ready in the room when I'm hungry.

And I also make it a point to eat at restaurants that are either local or not chains in my city.

And love to try the local wine if there are any available.
Had cranberry wine in Cape Cod and it was pretty good.

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

Not so much, except New Orleans, San Francisco, Arizona and New Mexico, of course Wales....well I guess we do after all!

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Goat in Greece, never again, found out about a food allergy with that one. Husband is Greek, so I've at least tried most of the ethnic foods when there. I make a mean spinach pie, and moussaka. While living in Spain We ate off the economy and though there were interesting things, nothing was standoutish or "weird." I do like to try the "local" things, just need to be careful anout the ingredients.

Joy

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Goat in Greece, never again, found out about a food allergy with that one. Husband is Greek, so I've at least tried most of the ethnic foods when there. I make a mean spinach pie, and moussaka. While living in Spain We ate off the economy and though there were interesting things, nothing was standoutish or "weird." I do like to try the "local" things, just need to be careful anout the ingredients.

Joy

Goat is popular in many ethnic dishes here in New York and I order it from time to time -- but the best goat dish I ever had was a Goat Tagine in.....

Nantucket! of all places!

[FreeIn2010 Member Find all posts View Profile Close FreeIn2010]

And I also make it a point to eat at restaurants that are either local or not chains in my city.

And love to try the local wine if there are any available.
Had cranberry wine in Cape Cod and it was pretty good.

I try to visit local wineries when traveling. If that's not possible I look for local wines in the store. I also had a cranberry wine in Cape Cod that was pretty good... and a few others from Cove Point Winery. In St Marteen I went a little 'French wine crazy!'

And it took awhile but I think I finally got my sister to give up chain restaurants while travelling. We were in Panama City Beach FL and she wanted Red Lobster!!! No way!

Being a lifetime Maryland resident, I've learned to NOT order crab cakes while traveling!!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Nothing really exotic but refuse to eat anywhere that we can eat at back home. Kelli did try a bison burger once. shaggy

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

On non time share or resort trips like out in ocean , mountains or jungles I have ate some odd things. Herring roe, prawn roe, seal, beaver, bear, moose, caribou, deer, elk, rabbits, snakes, birds, fish, dog , all kinds of plants and animals. You get the gist. Many times I take a bite to be polite and when no one is looking toss it.

I haven't ate cat as far as I know.

My brother in law ate the lonely taco in mexico. I always thought that the taco that sat in the corner all day in a taco stand was to be avoided.

My buddy ate snails and ended up sick for a few days. I think they harvested these in a sewer lagoon.

[Tammybelle Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tammybelle]

We always try to eat local whenever we travel. However, I try to stick to things I recognize.