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Okay, unpopular thought: Food festivals are overrated. Hear me out.
It seems like every summer weekend, there's another one popping up, promising "the best [food type] in the city!" or "a culinary adventure!". But honestly, I've been to a few and usually end up paying way too much for tiny portions that don't live up to the hype. Lines are insane, finding a place to sit is a battle, and by the time you've actually gotten your food, it's either cold or you're too stressed to enjoy it.
Plus, isn't the point of trying local food supposed to be supporting local businesses? often these festivals feature a mix of established restaurants and pop-ups, which is fine, but it dilutes the focus and the prices are often jacked up specifically for the event. I'd honestly rather spend my Saturday afternoon visiting a few different restaurants I've been wanting to try and actually get a full meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Am I alone in this? What am I missing?