Choosing a good meal at a good restaurant is the goal no matter where you are; but there are some big differences in a place like Cambodia vs the United States. Every country is different and each one has their own pro and cons. Often the big difference is in the economy and how the country functions. A country where the average person earns $10 a day does things much differently one who earns $100. But that doesn't mean one country is better than the other, not by a long shot. Let's compare some points of interest.
Health
We start with health as I believe it's the most important. In developing countries their traditional way of eating hasn't changed as much as us in the western world. Ethnic food is often some of the healthiest foods one can eat. Compare hamburgers and hot dogs to Indian food for example; loaded with herbs and spices. The menu at Denny's vs a menu in Thailand. There's a huge difference and the third world is much healthier and wins big on this one.
Quality
The quality in the first world can range all over the place often depending on how much you want to spend. Going to a high end steak house for a $100 dollars vs going to Burger King for $5 dollars is night and day. If money is no option the first world has a market and imports for the best of the best so it would have to win.
In the third world the options are often of what that country produces, but it's generally food with healthier farming practices and is less processed. This can make available very high quality food at great prices but sometimes leaves out other products all together. If the food is fresh in the third wold then you will be fine to eat it, but that is more about hi-gene. Overall I'd have to choose the third world as it's a level playing field for everyone. The quality food in the first world is left only for those who can afford it. Non-developed world wins.
Value
So in the third world let's say the average price for eating out is between two and 6 dollars and you go to a restaurant with a waiter, a menu, everything. The interior decorating might not always be as nice, but you came for the food anyway. Going to Friday's will often set you back at least 20 dollars a person after tax and tip. Now Imagine you take that same 20 dollars to an up-scale restaurant in Ecuador and see what you get! Third world wins for this one too.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
First world wins hands down for this one. With all the laws, regulations, and high customer expectations restaurants can't afford to lack in this department like they do in the third world. Sometimes the third world can be real hit and miss. One strategy that I use is to look at the restaurant, if it's clean, if many other people are eating there, how does the food look. Usually you don't have a problem, but some countries in the third world are worse than others. This is one thing you have to careful about; especially in central and south America.
Convenience
In the west convenience often comes in the form of fast food, a drive though window, or a gas station. In the non-developed world labor pays very little and having a small business, food stand, or food cart is how many survive. From people walking up to your car window at stop lights selling you fresh coconut juice in a plastic bag in Central America to the endless street food vendors all over South East Asia. Convenience comes in delicious and often exotic forms all over the non-developed world. Third world wins on this one too.
Variety
If you just go into any supermarket in the west you are going to see a bigger variety and that often carries over into the endless range of specialty restaurants. Throughout most of the third world you'll find Italian restaurants, an Irish pub, Indian restaurants, American food.... But there's nothing like the variety you'll see just at one high end Las Vegas Buffet. Developed world wins this one.
Service and Atmosphere
The non-developed world takes four out of seven topics. Any fellow travelers agree or disagree? Would be interesting to hear. Until next time. -Dan "World Travel Pro"
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