What It Means to Eat Local
When it comes to what we put on our plates, “local” is all the rage. But what, exactly, does “eating local” mean?
Five Reasons to Eat at Neighborhood Eateries
A favorite local eatery provides comfort in the familiar, with a healthy dose of delicious hospitality.
For a food lover such as myself, there’s no feeling quite like walking into my go-to, local neighborhood eatery and being greeted with a large dose of familiarity and hospitality. There’s the bartender with the warm smile that recalls my drink order quicker than I can order it. A menu I’ve practically memorized inside and out (and likely have eaten every offering off of at one point or another.) That one booth, in the far right, by the window where we prefer to sit. Our favorite server. The list goes on.
My husband and I have a handful of nearby spots we have come to love, and rightfully rely on — whether we’re tired and just crave something easy, or it’s date night and we want to support a nearby local spot, or friends are in town and we want to give them a taste (literally!) of the side of Jacksonville we know best.
There’s comfort in the familiar, but knowing these go-to neighborhood haunts will be there at the end of a long day or busy weekend makes these spots that much better. As the weeks turn into months and months transition into years, I’ve forged many positive relationships with these nearby business owners and restaurateurs. If it’s been a few weeks since my last visit, I might get a friendly inquiry of “where’ve you been?” or a heartfelt “we missed you!”
It’s no surprise that my favorite local restaurants recognize the importance of reciprocating their patrons’ appreciation, and support events, charities and organizations for the betterment of our whole community. Even more reason I want to support these spots and keep my dollars local — to me that feels like a win for the neighborhood.
Communities Near You
Food for Thought