What is Yelp, Anyways?

Growing up as a kid, my family never put a lot of trust in the critics. In fact, many times, we would go see the movies that got the bad reviews. They were often more enjoyable than the ones that the critics were so high on. In this new age of the internet, that has changed a little. Now that everyone can get their opinions out there, you can find reviews from your peers on just about anything. There are sites that even rate public restrooms now. Yelp is a site that anyone can rate anyplace in one of their neighborhoods. The list is rather expansive, so if your city is not on there, you can always find one nearby that will have ratings for your local places. This can be good and bad.

The good part of this is, of course, knowing what a place is like. That only goes so far since the actual owner and the employees can also rate the place. If someone is mad at management, they can post a horrible review. The owner can constantly log on and boost the ratings some as well. The fact that many people rate most of the businesses on this site helps to balance the bias a little. For the most part, this site is very useful in rating a place accurately. This is all a matter of opinion though, so it should only be used to a certain extent. While Dick and Jane may have had a fabulous time at Joe's pancake house, your experience may not be so pleasant.

The real benefit that Yelp offers is the discovery of new places. This is an invaluable tool for that aspect. Let's say you live in San Diego. You probably have never heard of Chateau Orleans, and have been eating at a downtown Cajun joint that just isn't the "real deal." That is where Yelp comes in. You can search their reviews and stumble upon some out of the way joint like the Chateau. There are several other hidden gems in all of their markets. If you are traveling to a new locale and want some of the local fair, it is just a click away (although it may take three or four clicks). Yelp offers a single site that rates all of the local restaurants, clubs, theaters, shows, attractions, and everything else you can imagine. Even if you are a local, you can use Yelp. There are often thousands of places that you may have never heard of on streets you would never travel. You can easily find and map these places with Yelp.

No matter what it is that you are looking for, Yelp has a rating for it. We have used it on several occasions to find some off the wall things. Many people complain that there is nothing to do, and they are bored. Yelp can help to guide you to all sorts of entertainment. The reviews are often just people's ramblings, but that is to be expected with this type of site. You can get a broad view of what to expect and should be taken "with a grain of salt." The fact that you can find these new and exciting places all on one site is the true value to this site. So if you are feeling adventurous or just a little bored with the status quo, give Yelp a visit and plan your night out on this site. Even if you come to regret your choices, at least your not bored anymore and you had a little adventure in your night.