[karaterobot]

> I feel like we're going back in time because the best way to find local restaurants has become walking / driving around the neighborhood to see what's there, or getting word of mouth recommendations.

Let's face it, that never stopped being the best way. There have always been problems with internet reviews, if only the ones inherent in the 1-5 star mechanism. But, it is very inconvenient to ask around for recommendations when you're (for example) hungry and passing through an unknown town or something. So I get why we need a source that isn't completely unreliable.

[bombcar]

I usually have decent results stopping at the gas station and asking the attendant: “if you had $X for a good lunch where would you go?”

Often it’s a place a bit off the road or harder to find, but I’ve had as good luck or better vs the mapping tools.