Can we talk about the 'ask a local' advice you get on travel sites?

I was reading a forum thread for a trip to Savannah. Someone asked where to get good fried chicken. The top reply was just 'The Lady & Sons'. That place is a tourist trap. It's packed, overpriced, and the food is not great. A real local would have said to go to a spot like Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room. It made me think, how much of that 'local' advice online is actually from locals? Or is it just other tourists repeating what they read? Has anyone else noticed this and found a better way to get real tips?

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karenm495mo ago

You have to look for the details in the answer. A real local will mention a side street or a specific dish to order. Generic praise for a famous spot is usually a red flag.

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the_olivia5mo ago

How do you even know who's a real local online?

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troyp373mo ago

I read something on a travel blog once that said to look for the weird details. Like if someone calls a place "that bar with the sticky floor on Elm" instead of "The Elm Street Pub." Real locals don't talk like a tour guide. They'll complain about the construction on Main Street or mention how the diner changed their gravy recipe last year. It's those little things that show they actually live there.

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