This post comes a bit late, but it took some time to assemble a photo collage of memorable eats. It’s only natural now that it’s 2018 that most folks reflect on the past year and compile a list of the best experiences.
While I worked hard to populate my Yelp 100 list over the course of several months, I have to credit these standout food stops for furnishing me with some of the tastiest grub of 2017.
Munay Kitchen Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken & Grill
I confess. I like Yelp. I like that they have reviews and listings for businesses, restaurants and services when the big-name web directories are still 3-6 months behind in posting (think Citysearch and their offspring Urbanspoon). I believe Yelp’s timeliness is due to its very active userbase. Like most social networking sites, Yelp makes it easy to reach out to friends and families–this occurs through the power of reviews.
Much has been said about Yelp’s shady dealings and extortionist practices. More has been said about the low-brow shenanigans and unprofessional reviews. Scandals and lawsuits abound. Again, like the major social networking sites, Yelp was bound sooner or later to suffer negative publicity.
I imagine that some businesses will be hurt more than others. I imagine that more critics and review snobs will turn their nose up at Yelp. But it’s hard to deny that Yelp is a helpful resource…I am one Yelper who reads others’ reviews and take them into consideration before visiting a business. And sometimes I will go despite the one- to two-star ratings, to satisfy my own curiosity.
Yelp serves the local community. Its service is dynamic, ever-changing, always trying to catch up, thanks to the contributions of the masses. They have the listings that they do because their members are a vocal lot–they take the time to post. I feel that other search directories cater to businesses who have the advertising revenue…which unfortunately discriminates against the small businesses and local shops without the big ad budgets. Other directories also try to inflate their self-importance by claiming they have reviews “written by professional critics”–which we all know sometimes goes against popular consensus. Of course, I do prefer writing reviews minus the snarky editorials and blog-style blitzkrieg that some reviewers prefer–if I’m reviewing a restaurant, then I’m judging them on the merits of their food, ambience, service. I’m not going to pen some cutesy anecdote about my dogs just to add “flavor” to my criticisms.
Yelp. Love it or hate it. It’s just another MySpace, Facebook, Twitter…except with reviews by you and me. It’s about the power of choice. Though if Yelp started censoring my reviews, then I imagine it’s time to find the next great Web 2.0 social network. In cyberspace it’s easy to shift your loyalties…
