Does street food really beat restaurant dining?
I've eaten street food from Bangkok to Mexico City, and honestly, the best meal I ever had was a $2 plate of pad see ew from a stall with plastic stools. But that doesn't mean street food is inherently better than restaurant dining—it's just that the good stuff tends to be more memorable because it's cheap and messy. When I think about the times I've gotten food poisoning or had a truly mediocre street meal, I remember those too, but they don't make the highlight reel. On the other hand, a well-executed restaurant meal offers consistency, comfort, and a chance to try complex dishes that would be impossible to make on a cart. So is street food really superior, or are we just romanticizing the experience because of the vibe? I'm leaning toward yes for certain foods, but I'm not sure it holds across the board. What do you think—does the setting change how you judge the taste?