Some Great Free Starter Apps for Eaters

Feel hesitant about just walking in somewhere and trying out a new restaurant?  Or maybe you're looking for a place your friend recommended and aren't sure where to go, well I have the solution for you eaters out there.   I am seeing more and more people becoming new smart phone users and there are a lot of great apps out there that are free for restaurant goers. 

Yelp

Yelp is a great starter app for the restaurant goer.  When you're out looking for something to eat and you're either new to the area or you just can't decide where you want to go, Yelp will help you locate a restaurant and you can grab the latest reviews so you'll know what you're walking into.  When you're out on the hunt for some local food you can narrow your search down to the neighborhood you're in or the distance away it is, prices and what is currently open.

OpenTable

OpenTable is an app that is free for smart phone users.  One of its most interesting features is that it allows you to not only search for restaurants, but even lets you book a reservation right from your phone.  This can come in handy when you need to make a last minute reservation and aren't sure what places are full already.  However not all restaurants are OpenTable enabled.


TruxMap

This app caters to you food truck enthusiasts, it includes a real time gourmet food truck map.  The app is free and it allows you to select a city and will show you the location of currently open food trucks as well as soon to be open food trucks.  You can look at menus and directions and even submit your own truck reviews.  This app only has maps available for major cities, but is good to have handy when traveling if your home city doesn't have one.

These are just a few of the free applications out there for food enthusiasts.  If you're curious about  a restaurant's review or are trying to locate where you want to go these are great tools to help you out.

Change is Good

Now don't start snickering at my choice of dessert, it does look a little fancy for Average Joe, but what your looking at is the delicious Mousse Trio from the new J&A Prep Kitchen at Crossgates Mall.  In September it replaced the Houlihan’s location right under my nose and I finally got a chance to check it out over the weekend.

The atmosphere felt nice and casual, I was able to really relax.  For dinner I had the Blue Burger with a side of Jacob's Chowder.  I usually don't stick around for dessert, but because of the built up curiosity I dived in.  

 J&A Prep Kitchen is the latest endeavor for  Latham-based Marello Restaurants & Catering, you can find them in Saratoga Springs at Jacob & Anthony’s American Grille and in Slingerlands and Clifton Park at Bellini’s Italian Eateries.

I was a little upset at first because I did enjoy Houlihan's, but J&A is going to fit right in at this location I think I'm getting used to it already.