Food should definitely be part of your itinerary when traveling. There are a lot of great places to eat all over so why deprive yourself of some great eats by opting for the McDonald’s by the roadside. But you don’t want to risk eating by some filthy truck stop diner, right? Here are some ideas to find some great places to eat.

Consult those travel guides. Famous restaurants are always highlighted in travel guides. However, beware of tourist traps since some restaurants actually pay for some sort of advertorial in some travel guides.

Avoid truck stops. Don’t bother tailing large semis and gruff guys in flannel shirts to find a roadside eatery. For some reason there is some credence to the way truck stops are portrayed in movies. Truckers often choose stops because of their wide parking areas not their food.

Try the local offerings. Definitely, your safest bet is the nearest McDonald’s or Burger King but since you’re on the road, why not try some local flavor. You can always get some Big Macs anywhere but why miss what the locals have to offer. There are still many great mom-and-pop diners out there offering thick shakes and savory omelets so just scout around.

Go downtown. The downtown and centers are always the best areas to scout for a good place to eat. You’d often find established diners and restaurants here. Avoid shopping centers and roadside eateries. Restaurants near university towns also offer great food.

Ask around. Don’t bother asking the tollbooth and gasoline attendants. Unless it’s a really small town then chances are these guys wouldn’t care much about dining. Ask people from the local book stores and local gourmet ingredients shops for a good idea where good food are.