Eat Like A Tourist

One of the best parts of travel is the opportunity to try local foods and restaurants. When we arrive in a new city, the first thing we ask the hotel desk is where they like to eat since we don’t want to eat at chain restaurants when we are visiting a new area. But this year, we haven’t been able to do the same amount of travel. How can you can enjoy the taste of a new area when you are eating at home most nights? Here are some fun companies and ideas to help you eat like a tourist (from your own kitchen).

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Eat Like A Tourist (from your own kitchen)

Explore Delivery Services

Sitka Salmon

Right now I’ve been to 45 of the 50 states and have favorite restaurants in places all around the country. One of the states I have not yet visited is Alaska. I love the idea of enjoying fresh Alaska salmon and halibut even though I can’t squeeze in a trip today. With the ease of shipping and the magic of dry ice, Sitka Salmon Shares has figured out how to safely ship their local catch of the day all around the country.

This boat-to-doorstep seafood company is owned by fisherman in Sitka, Alaska. They custom-process the fresh catch and deliver the fishermen’s catch directly to your doorstep. We have not been to Alaska (yet) but this delivery box will help us enjoy some of the local favorites from our own kitchen.

Our community supported fishery (CSF) is a members-based organization that allows you to purchase a “share” of the harvest of one of our independent, small-boat family fishermen. You enroll at 3 to 9-month intervals. Of course, if you’re ever not happy, you can cancel at any time for a full refund. Each share includes a specific selection of the species that we harvest. In 2020, these species include wild Alaskan king salmon, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, keta salmon, lingcod, black bass, sablefish (black cod), Pacific cod, yelloweye, rockfish, spot shrimp, Dungeness crab, albacore tuna, and halibut.

Sikta Salmon Shares – How it Works

Universal Yums

Another delivery box that we have enjoyed several times is Universal Yums. Each box contains a variety of sweet and savory snacks with unique flavors and spices. For Christmas last year, our kids ordered a specialty box from Italy. We dived in and explored all the chocolates, chips and crackers that are popular in Italy. Another year, we had a mix of all the favorite snacks from countries around the world in the holiday sample box. No matter which box you receive, you and your family can explore all the tastes of ‘local foods’ right from your own kitchen counter.

Explore New Recipes

Maybe you are a great cook or just love to try new recipes. Do a quick internet search and discover recipe favorites from around the world. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or elaborate – just be willing to try a new dish for dinner. I have a friend who loves to plan their weekend meals around movies. Wherever the ‘home country’ is for the movie, that’s the theme for dinner.

Ask your Friends for Favorites

Most friends have popular foods they love to try when they visit tourist destinations. Ask your friends for favorite restaurants and then see if there is a delivery service or similar recipe online. Maybe they will have a suggestion that will break you out of the food rut.

Look for Copy Cat Recipes

We loved eating at a restaurant called the  Gold Rush Cafe in Paducah, Kentucky several years ago. We had scotch eggs, grown up macaroni and cheese and bread pudding waffle with homemade maple butter! Even though we can’t eat there today, I can still use the internet to find recipes and try to re-create bread pudding waffles and maple butter. Maybe soon we can take another trip over to Paducah and enjoy the bread pudding waffles in person!

Do you love timballo from your favorite Italian restaurant, then try a copycat recipe? Just because you can’t visit the restaurant today doesn’t mean you can’t try your hand at creating something similar.

How do you eat like a tourist even when you are home in your own kitchen? Got any favorite delivery services that we should try? I’d love to hear!