Sitake loves talking about how good the food is wherever BYU is headed, using it as a way to build bridges with opposing coaches and fans.

While I certainly see that as a savvy move from a veteran coach, I’m also confident that Sitake is completely genuine when he brings up the topic.

And who can blame him?

Good food is one of the great pleasures of life – sometimes too much so.

When I travel, I always try to find opportunities to go to local restaurants and see what delicious options are out there. It can be a little risky, of course, but the rewards can be fantastic.

Sometimes I’ll look for iconic, local specialties like cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, clam chowder in Massachusetts, poutine in Canada, crabcakes in Maryland, tacos in the southwest, barbecue in Texas and throughout the South. The list could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

Most of the time my experience has demonstrated exactly why these foods are so popular, although occasionally I find myself a little disappointed. I suspect that’s probably more about my personal taste buds than it is about the overall quality of the foods themselves.

I can’t count the number of unforgettable meals I’ve had in out-of-the-way places, locations that certainly wouldn’t be considered top tourist destinations. But when the food is so good that you go to the same place twice on the same vacation (or even more rarely twice on the same day), you know you’ve hit the jackpot.

I feel the same way about so many of our local restaurants here in Utah Valley. There are so many places that I’ve discovered or had recommended that I know I’m going to get something delicious when I stop in for a visit.

But the restaurant industry is not an easy business. There’s so many logistical challenges, including price fluctuations, challenging reviews, adequate and effective staffing, market conditions, competition, government regulations, and even changing tastes.

I can think of a number of wonderful restaurants who are no longer in business for one reason or another, and you probably can too. I’ve seen plenty of those lists on local social media pages as people fondly reminisce about their favorite burger joint or steakhouse.

But I’m really glad so many great locations of persevered and been supported by their communities. I applaud those who take the plunge and get into the food, service industry, hoping to bring something to the table that we can enjoy.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t value in chain restaurants that are available across the country. They provide convenience and fairly consistent expectations. When I drop by a Chick-fil-A or a Jack in the Box or an Arby’s, I’m fairly confident in what I’m going to be getting. And that’s good.

Just about all of the truly special meals I’ve had, however, have come from restaurants run by locals who take pride in what they’re serving their customers.

I hope we appreciate them and support them.

I hope we give them a chance to be great.

They won’t all be. The free market can result in harsh realities, even failures.

But there would be no successes if no one was willing to take that risk.

So go out and try that taco truck around the corner or the Chinese restaurant that you’ve never been to or the new ice cream shop across town or any of a host of possible options.

Find your favorites, share them with friends and family, and reward those who do such a great job providing great dining for all of us to enjoy.

Jared Lloyd is the managing editor of the Daily Herald and can be reached at jlloyd@heraldextra.com.