When I started posting reviews as a local guide, it was a bit of a nerdy hobby. As people started responding to posts, I became more passionate about it. The one things that quickly became my favourite thing to share was the little secrets or tricks that each location I visited had. Almost everyone knows of a little special something about their favourite restaurant or place to visit. It is that extra bonus thing that not everyone knows about… but they should. I try, where I can on every post, to share those secrets.
For example, there is a restaurant (http://www.elbarracuda.com/en/) where my dad lives in Mexico, where the absolute best dish, that everyone must try, is not on the menu. Locals know about it, they sell a lot of them everyday, but unless you know to ask, you will not even know it exists. Closer to home, at my favourite ice cream place in Calgary (https://villageicecream.com/), even though they have big lines in the summers, you are free (and encouraged) to go to the front if you are only their to buy a pint to take home… or eat out of the container out front of the shop.
Some locations I visit are great and worthy of a 5 star review, but there may be a little negative thing about it that people need to know about. In those situations, I consider the “little trick” the thing worth avoiding or just being aware of. The review is both an opportunity express how you feel about somewhere but also share on Maps that little extra plus or negative to avoid to allow someone to have the best visit possible.
It feels good to help people get the best of every day. Over the last few months, people started to recognize me from my reviews and have expressed their appreciation. Knowing that I helped to make someone’s day better is 100% my favourite thing about sharing things on Google Maps!
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Great post and great point, @Kahane_YYC !
I also love sharing that ‘secret menu’ idea, or something that may be a local secret. I must ask, what was the dish in Mexico that you had to know about? Also, what is your favorite ice cream flavor at Village Ice Cream?
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@Kahane_YYC I like your post
Thank you for that!
The Mexican dish is the molcajete. It was so popular, they now actually have it on the menu. It is a lava bowl filled with yummy cheesy goodness with either meat, or fish or seafood.
In PV, there is also another local only spot that serves Huge clay pots of crabs for dirt cheap.
Village… salted caramel every time. I may try a new flavour now and then but the salted caramel is a must have. You almost have to sit down to enjoy the intensity of the flavours!
