| A long time ago, before there were iPhones, if you | | | | location. Urbanspoon also includes access to ratings |
| and your friends wanted to go out to eat, there was | | | | and reviews and a "friends" feature to add a touch |
| a whole ritual involved. You'd call each other on your | | | | of social networking...but it's no Yelp. |
| "dumb" phones, have a whole conversation on who's | | | | Yelp (Free) - Yelp isn't hopping on the social |
| hungry for what, then call each other back with | | | | networking bandwagon; it's the real deal. That's |
| restaurant suggestions. Then you'd all call each other | | | | because Yelp is a website first and an app second |
| some more with competing suggestions based on | | | | (which is both good and bad--but more on that in a |
| price, proximity, etc. Eventually everybody would | | | | moment). With Yelp you search for a restaurant, bar, |
| converge on the joint, flip-phones still in hand, and | | | | club, or any business in similar ways to other |
| realize you were there. | | | | restaurant-finding apps, or just enter the name of a |
| Now, "there's an app for that." You seek out | | | | food (e.g., "Peking Duck") and Yelp finds a place for |
| locations, price ranges, cuisines, and even good | | | | you. You can post notes and reviews (although you |
| nutritional choices using your iPhone, and get down to | | | | have to go to the Yelp site to post--hence the "good |
| chowing down in record time. | | | | and bad" comment above.) The "Check-in" feature |
| So what's the best app for finding a place? It | | | | lets you and your friends track each others' |
| depends what features you want. Here's a quick | | | | whereabouts. Fear not: Check-in is voluntary, so if |
| menu: | | | | the stalker ex is back, you're safe. Check into the |
| Restaurant Finder (Free) - Perfect for travelers, | | | | same place often enough, and Yelp decides you're a |
| Restaurant Finder lets you enter the cuisine you | | | | regular. Some user complaints of outdated/inaccurate |
| want and the city/zip code or location, and returns | | | | information; not bad at finding the eats, great at |
| the nearest restaurants that have what you're | | | | keeping the party rolling. |
| hungry for, displaying address, telephone number, and | | | | Where to eat (2.99) - Another GPS-enabled food |
| URL, if available. It also gives you a handy weather | | | | finder. But WTE has a couple of features that just |
| forecast, so you know when "closer is better." | | | | make sense. Searching is by cuisine or particular food |
| Find a Restaurant (.99) - This handy app goes | | | | type, and there are separate categories for bars, |
| Restaurant Finder one better; it tells you your current | | | | take-out, and delivery. Emphasizes intuitive |
| location using GPS. Search by cuisine, and it gives you | | | | experience; typing is optional. Shake-to-Suggest |
| nearby restaurants complete with phone number, | | | | shuffle works on the same principle as Urbanspoon's |
| GPS map location, driving directions, and one-touch | | | | "slot machine". |
| website visit (But no weather). Also includes Tip | | | | What if your interest runs to depth rather than |
| Calculator (yes, it splits the check if you want. | | | | breadth? Check out Sushipedia (free) for scads of |
| Cheapskate.) | | | | sushi knowledge, and of course, a database of places |
| Urbanspoon (Free) - This is the app from the Apple | | | | to buy it. And if you're watching your weight, click on |
| commercials with the "slot machine" randomizing | | | | Lose It or Nutrition Menu once you get to a place for |
| feature to add a little fun to your search. Of course, | | | | calorie counts and more. Thankfully, neither tells your |
| you can also filter choices by cuisine, price, or | | | | friends you're dieting. |