Chowhound and 'Hound Joe H featured in the Washington Post

[crackers]

An intresting article about amateur food bloggers and critiquers in today's Washington Post magazine section. In addition to highlighting Chowhound, it features locally renowned and long-time Chowhound poster Joe H.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

[eatsie]

"Amateur" eaters are a far more reliable source of info than the "professional" critics, especially the primary WP critic, whose jaded tastes are idiosyncratic at best. (When he complains about under-salted food, I want to shout "use the salt shaker" and "you can always add seasoning, you can never subtract it".)
Even better IMO are the consensus opinions, such as those in Zagat, despite the snobbery of the "pros" who imply they are unreliable. (The idea that the well-known critics are not given special service is laughable, and relying on the advice of a critic who has the audacity to pretend to be an expert on restaurants in cities he visits only once is even more questionable.)

[Joe H]

Thank you, Crackers.

[weezycom]

Nice article. I hope to have the opportunity to try as many great restaurants as you have, Joe.

[Joe H]

Thank you for the really nice words! In truth I have travelled heavily for almost thirty years and to compensate for being away from home so many nights I have gone out of my way to explore hamburgers, pizza and an occasional good meal as best I can. I also grew up in a family that was absolutely obsessed with food, we would take weekend trips because my mother or father heard that there was good ice cream, a hamburger, etc. somewhere.

Still, travel sucks when you do it alone. I have tried to take advantage of my travel as best I can.

Thanks again.