I love sharing about different foods and hidden gems on Google Maps. In particular, the only other thing I love more than desserts is steak.
Whenever I travel, wherever I go be it a different city, or a different cuisine, I love a good well-cooked steak.
I try and seek out places that are not chains but rather small businesses that might be hidden in an alleyway or a plaza that you may not find unless you happen to be in the area on the search for a good protein-filled meal. Although truth be told, it was chain restaurants like The Keg (in Ontario, Canada) that opened my eyes to steak at a young age.
Growing up in an Asian-Spanish household meant that more or less my meals were stir-frys, tons of carbs and seafood.
Although this sometimes can be a challenge as depending on where you are, cows may be sacred (like in India), where they serve chicken as their primary source of protein or Iceland where locals would strongly urge you to try their lamb otherwise have a beef stew since steak isn’t really their specialty.
While I have yet to go to an upscale steak house (we are talking $$$$ - since I primarily like to go to small local restaurants with a lower price tag and to provide other Googlers a range of options), I still had the pleasure of having a raw steak shown to me (where yes, you can send it away if you find it too fatty, or the redness isn’t enough to your liking) and select my steak before it is prepped.
In Florence, Italy - pizza and pasta aside locals and travel blogs, will tell you, you must try their infamous Florentine steak. This is essentially a sizable t-bone steak cooked medium rare, sold by the pound. Tracing through the busy streets
you will find it widely advertised at bars, restaurants on chalkboards and colourful signs.
This steak is over an inch in thickness, extremely juicy and flavourful without the need for sauces or spices.
In Australia, I tried kangaroo steak. It looks like beef, feels like beef - but don’t let anyone tell you, it is beef. Kangaroo meat is a lot gamier and has a distinct after taste so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea and it is often cooked rare.
Although I also had the pleasure of trying Australian and Japanese steak. In Japan, Kobe beef and wagyu beef are often recommended.
(In Canada, if you search for it, you can find beef imported from New Zealand, Australia or Japan, they tend to come at an even heftier price tag especially if are looking to have it as a meal at a restaurant vs. purchasing it from a butcher to cook at home because of its novelty and import cost).
I can attest that being able to try different types of steak in different countries around the world as they are known for - is not the same as having it at home for this reason, I enjoy sharing on Google Maps different steaks I have tried, really enjoyed around the world so that if they are craving it or want to experience it for themselves to compare different cultural cuisine they too can have a reference to that as well.
Much like sharing a memorable dining experience with friends and family, you want others to know about it too! It might help the small businesses and frankly, I remember something better after writing about it.
There truly is a difference in terms of the quality of the beef (i.e. how marbelized it is, where it is from), how it is prepped (how long it is marinated for, the regional customs in what the cows are fed, etc.) and of course how it is cooked.
Of course, sometimes if you’re lucky - you can also stumble upon a great mom-pop shop, that is small, hidden and find yourself having a delicious steak (a full three-course meal) for the price of an appetizer at a chain restaurant. The beautiful thing about Google Maps and Google Local Guides is that food is something that transcends cultural, geographical boundaries, and languages. Everyone can appreciate a good meal and we all have days where we want a cheap eat, splurge or try something different that may end up being a lasting experience. If I help someone get the opportunity to have a memorable trip, make a new local discovery just as others have shared their experience with me - all the better. Happy Eating…
