Did you ever watch the television show on Food Network Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives? I’m fairly obsessed with that show. Essentially people recommend mom and pop type joints to chef Guy Fieri, the crazy one with the spiky blonde hair and the red convertible. He visits, he watches how they make the food, he eats the food, he listens to people comment on how amazing the place is. And of course every place he goes to is phenomenal, and by the end of the show there is a pile of drool on my lap.

So why are these places only known to locals? Why are they so darn good? It probably has something to do with integrity and pouring your heart, soul, and money into a business that you’ve established. Major cities and towns are flooded with restaurants and places to eat. All you can do is offer something different, something better than everyone else. That’s why Grandma is in the back making tortillas from scratch every single day at 6 a.m. When food is fresh and handmade, you can taste the difference.

People can get some cheap, mediocre food from a million places. It’s these lesser known establishments we visit on food tours NYC that stand out above all the commercial places. They need an edge, and you can taste it on your next New York food tour.