Restaurant Guides Galore

Foodies have never had a better chance of finding exactly what they’re craving thanks to today’s smartphone technology. Savvy businesses recognise the value of having a streamlined mobile presence for both Android and iOS platforms. Yet the app makers are also making terrific use of GPS capabilities to help personalise one’s dining search at every turn.

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Cuisine. Craving Italian? Or maybe something a bit more exotic, like Vietnamese? In addition to the standard Web browsing capabilities, smart mobiles can also zero in on exactly which cuisine catches your fancy. The best part is that dining coupons are also offered for many restaurants, strictly for smartphone users. Before searching just make sure the GPS feature is engaged and then either search through the map programme or install one of the countless dining apps that are available. Type or say whichever cuisine is desired and then the map will show everything in the closest vicinity. Users can also expand the search to extend well beyond the local neighborhoods.

Locale can also be the deciding factor if open to different types of food. Searching for nearby restaurants are particularly helpful for people running errands, shopping, playing tourist, etc. Simply click on each restaurant icon to receive more information on the mobile map. Often the most basic facilities will still most likely have a link to their website and online menu. Prices can be checked as well, before ever making the trip. Travel apps are another great way to become a local, if only for the day.

Reviews are another excellent way to judge various dining options before taking step one. Whether a more traditional travel-based programme or geared specifically towards one cuisine, reviews by everyday people can offer very telling information. Note however that some posts may be false positive or even negative reviews given to skew results. Just because it’s online does not mean that information is accurate. Even restaurant websites run risk of giving incorrect business hours and discontinued menu items. So when going by reviews it wouldn’t hurt to also ask friends their own personal experiences with any place one is considering. Simply share the link via social media and see what friends have to say. Social media’s also a great way to see how many customers enjoyed their meals there.

Ethics are becoming more of a concern for many diners. Conscience customers feel better knowing restauranteurs care for their employees and the local community. Too, many mobile resources are available to help diners choose locally and humanely-sourced menu items. One example is the Seafood Watch app devised by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the US. This programme is searchable by specific types of seafood and sushi, and will also offer guides as to the most abundant resources available. This service and others aims to help quell the long-range effects of overfishing.

One’s diet can also be easily managed, thanks to abundant information online about specific carb, calorie and fat counts for many well-known restaurants. A good bit can be found for those suffering from Celiac Disease and gluten intolerances, though it is important to note that cross-contamination is often possible at regular restaurants that merely offer some gluten free selections.

Prefer to dine in? Check out all the great mobile features tailored to specific grocery stores. In addition to weekly ads, coupons can also be downloaded to one’s phone, making shopping easier and more affordable. And if seeking a hard-to-find item consider Web searching or using the map and GPS feature to do most of the legwork for you. Mobile users with barcode scanners installed can even rest assured knowing they’re finding the best deal to be had.

Life wasn’t bad before smartphones but it is remarkable how quickly and effortlessly they became so incredibly useful. Time, money and effort can be saved all with one quick search—taking a good bit of the worry out of what should be a wonderful dining experience.