Which state has better food at a restaurant, Massachusetts or California

[GON]

Watching an awesome food reviewer earlier this evening, the Phantom Gormet with a Boston, MA based show- I asked myself which state has better food, Massachusetts or California?

Having worked in both states, but significantly more in California than Massachusetts, I pic Massachusetts has the better food, but California has a lot of intangibles that make eating in California better than Massachusetts.

So- go to Massachusetts for the food and food only. Go to California if you want to dine. Both states offer great meals.....

 

[eljefino]

Probably get better seafood in MA, beer would be a draw, Cali gets the edge for wine and salad.

 

[bullwinkle]

Never been, but I would think produce, etc. would be better in Cali, along with the Mexican food.

 

[himemsys]

In my experience in several US states, there's no better authentic Mexican food than in Southern CA. I've never been to MA though. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Chris142]

Cali gets the edge for wine and salad.

And Tacos. There is a taco shop or taco truck on every corner. We need more BBQ places here.

 

[burbguy82]

There is no comparison. Apples to oranges. Different types of local food. Mc Donalds is the same everywhere.

 

[blkwtr]

I would think a lot would depend on which restaurants you go to.

 

[Cujet]

Cali has some great food. My experience in MA is more limited.

 

[John105]

Clams MA would be a slam dunk. Likely Portuguese and Italian food as well. Introduce NYC into the mix and the answer would be way different.

 

[John105]

In my experience in several US states, there's no better authentic Mexican food than in Southern CA. I've never been to MA though. Maybe I'm wrong.

I would agree with that. The population drives these things. I go to our offices in SoCal and everyone speaks English. But it is not spoken at all unless I say something. I had the same experience in Sweden. Not one word of English heard, but as soon as I speak, everyone speaks perfectly and fluently. imho the population that comprises a place, makes the food authentic.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Having spent a fair bit of time in both - admittedly long ago - I would say they both have great food if you go to the right place - just like everywhere else.

Also, the food is very different. I have had great seafood off the docks, and great Italian in restaurants where the dishes don't match in parts of Boston. By comparison the French Laundry is in California. I thought that was often rated as one of the best restaurants in the world? Never been, maybe I should go?

 

[4WD]

I want lobster with big claws … You know who dat !

 

[John105]

I want lobster with big claws … You know who dat !

the ones on the west coast even look different

 

[wings&wheels]

Having lived in both, I'd give the edge to CA simply because of abalone! That said, I would still give the edge to CA as, while MA has some of if not the best local sourced seafood in the country, CA's sheer size and difference in cultures offers much more variety. IIRC one day I had scrapple for breakfast in a great greasy spoon place the Sierras and abalone for dinner in this also great little place in Carmel.

 

[4WD]

the ones on the west coast even look different

You’d think they’d at least have a left claw

 

[Ranger83]

As California’s population is nearly seven times the DPRM (16 times more by area), I’d think New Yawk versus CA would be more appropriate.

A funny related story. Summer before my daughter’s Senior year in college, she worked part-time for a newly-started shop called Raymundo’s Bakery. She started sharing the story on TikTok of how she met the owner (cook at a pizza place), his dreams of starting a business, and how he and his family worked so hard. And the food.

She texted the family that her story had 30,000 views. Then over, the weekend, 300,000 views. Within a week, one million views.

All the local foody TicTocers started visiting the place and providing reviews. Then people started flying in to review it (along with other Boston spots). He told my daughter that half his business now is attributable to that one stream.

raymundobakerytaqueria.com

My personal favorite is one that’s not near downtown or the neighborhoods with a lot of restaurants. It’s on the down-home side. The kitchen is not separated from the dining area so the chef can see and hear what people are ordering and what they are saying. I joke that on a Friday night “There is one of every kind of person in Boston.”

https://www.224boston.com/

The Seaport area are now has a bunch of more-expensive local and chain restaurants. The South End has many small , arty places. The North End is the long-standing Italian area, with a fair number of small local places still remaining.

Alston-Brighton used to be another favorite of mine, as rents are lower and it’s a mostly student area. Really eclectic group: at one point there was a Vietnamese seafood restaurant next to an Israeli place and a Russian place. None of them had liquor licenses so they were all BYOB, which students like.

 

[CKN]

I have been in Utah 13 years-I'm still looking for Mexican Food on par with Southern California where I moved from.

 

[benjy]

although tasty MOST resturant food is TOXIC!! lets start with foods fried in SEED oils aka veg oils NOT. resturants are all about PROFITS + RARELY are they HEALTHY!!

 

[PontiacHO]

Anyplace where Shankikwa isn’t working. Those talon like fake fangernails are nasty E. Coli spreaders….. When I see those on anyone working in a restaurant or fast food joint, I leave immediately.

 

[wings&wheels]

This thread took an odd turn