LocalEats for

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on November 06, 2008

If you're truly looking for a unique dining experience in a U.S. metropolitan area, you'd do well to try LocalEats, the iPhone version of a Web site and printed guide that explores the Top 100 establishments in 50 U.S. cities. While you'll find nary a national chain in the list, it isn't always clear what you will find. Although each restaurant listing shows the location details, price range, and amenities, the lack of a summary or review downgrades the application's usefulness by a notch. We missed the critic's review, user ratings, and descriptions found in other mobile dining guides, which help discerning eaters decide on a final destination. Also absent is the option to text or e-mail restaurant details to pals.

However, the ability to search restaurants by alphabetical order, cuisine type, or the best of each category speaks highly of LocalEats, as do the quick links for getting Google driving directions, calling the restaurant, or opening the Web site in Safari. We'd also like to see the price range displayed on the thumbnail image of LocalEats' results page so we can weed out restaurants that hit above budget.

Serious eaters who enjoy heavily researching a restaurant before they commit may yearn for more substance, but for those who prefer to trust a foodie's recommendation without extra fuss have found a good place to start.