Small Town Hospitality

I’m writing this from somewhere in Missouri after a couple of weeks cycling across the southern United States.

Unlike previous trips to America, which have usually revolved around eating and drinking in big cities, this one has been entirely different. We’ve been travelling by bike through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and now further east through smaller towns where the options for dinner are often limited to diners, roadside cafés and what I believe are know as “Mom & Pop” spots!

And when it comes to eating and drinking…we’ve been having a great time!

Of course, there are all the familiar differences that Brits inevitably notice in the US…

The service charge prompts which begin at 15% and rapidly escalate towards 25%.

The bill arriving at the table whilst you’re still halfway through your meal.

Soft drink cups so enormous they look like small buckets.

And of course…portions of food that seem specifically designed to sustain manual labourers through a 14-hour shift…although given the cycling this has been very welcome!

But beyond all the clichés and cultural differences, one thing has really stood out to me during this trip…the warmth of the small independent places we’ve been stopping in. We’ve met some amazing people and plenty of great characters who are all proud of what they do and it shows!

In the larger American cities hospitality can sometimes feel a little over-scripted…

Lots of “Hey guys!” and “Amazing choice!” delivered with such relentless enthusiasm that it occasionally felt more performative than genuine.

Out here it’s been completely different.

In the small towns we’ve been riding through, the people cooking the food and serving the tables are often the owners themselves or members of the family. The interactions feel curious, relaxed and sincere in a way that’s very clearly genuine.

Of course, people want to know why two random Brits are cycling through their town. They ask questions. They recommend roads to avoid. They warn us about dogs, weather and traffic. They wish us luck and tell us to stay safe before we roll out!

And because these places are often owner-operated, there’s a sense that hospitality isn’t something being performed according to a script or a training manual…it’s simply an extension of people taking pride in their place, their town, their state and wanting visitors to enjoy themselves.

There’s something reassuring about that!

Aside from the warm welcomes there are more than a few things which we’ve very much enjoyed…proper hash browns, lots of pies, incredible Tex Mex, the best guacamole I’ve ever eaten and of course bottomless filter coffee…coming soon to a park cafe near you!!

It’s easy in hospitality, especially when you spend time online or reading industry media, to convince yourself that everything is changing constantly.

New concepts, new trends, new formats, new ways of doing things.

But sitting in a roadside diner in small-town America eating eggs and hash browns followed by cherry pie, you realise that the fundamentals are actually pretty timeless…

Friendly people, Warm welcomes, Familiarity & a sense that someone genuinely cares whether you enjoy yourself or not.

The details might change from place to place, but the heart of hospitality still looks remarkably similar.

And honestly…that’s been great to be reminded of!