When Dylan Efron visits a new city, he’s not opening TikTok or searching Yelp for the hottest restaurant in town. Instead, he has a much simpler strategy: Ask the locals.
The producer, reality TV personality and avid traveler has built a reputation for uncovering hidden food gems around the world, making him a natural fit for this. Pepsi’s Local Eats Deserve Pepsi campaignwhich celebrates neighborhood restaurants through free Pepsi Eats Fest events across the country. The initiative debuted on June 27 at the Big Star in Chicago’s Wicker Park, where Efron debuted a limited-edition fish taco inspired by his love of finding local favorites while traveling.
However, for Efron, the best recommendations almost never come from an algorithm.
Skip viral spots (for the most part)
“I think it’s very easy to trust Yelp or TikTok,” Efron said. men’s journal. “You’ll find some nice places, but a lot of times those places have lines out the door because they’re having a moment. If you just leave your hotel room and go talk to someone, it’s amazing how friendly people are when they’re talking about their favorite restaurant. You’re going to find some great places.”
An experience in Guyana reinforced that philosophy.
When visiting the country, Efron spent most of his trip eating at established restaurants before his driver insisted on taking him elsewhere.
“He was like, ‘Dylan, you have an hour. I’m taking you over to my place,'” Efron recalled. “We went there, it was the cheapest food I’d ever seen, and it was great. We were eating with the locals, people were dancing, and I said, ‘Okay, this guy wanted to show me the real Guyana.’ That’s the fun part of the journey. “A lot of it revolves around food.”
lowest rated food place
When asked which destination deserves more attention from travelers, Efron ignored the usual foodie hotspots.
“It was my first time in Norway,” he said. “The fish there is great. They fish properly. You can get some great sushi, some great grilled fish. The food tastes healthy – it doesn’t seem processed.”
He was equally impressed by the scenery.
“If you can find time to go to the fjords in the summer, it’s one of the most unique-looking places. It’s almost like Argentina meets Hawaii.”
Their travel essentials are surprisingly simple
Despite spending most of the year on the road, Efron says he likes to keep things simple.
“I like to prepare less and get it done,” he admits.
Their packing list reflects that mentality.
“My must-have list is pretty short, but chapstick and sunscreen are always with me,” she said. An electric toothbrush also makes the cut because “those little conveniences make me feel like I’m still at home.”
His Best Advice for Beating Jet Lag
Efron’s most valuable travel tip has nothing to do with packing. Instead, he recommends planning an activity immediately after you land, even if you’re tired.
During a trip to Japan, he booked tickets to a baseball game before leaving home.
He said, “You better believe that after a 15-hour flight, the last thing I wanted to do was go to a baseball game.” “But it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. If I had waited until I got there to buy a ticket, I never would have gone.”
He also makes sure to get out as quickly as possible.
“If I can jump into any kind of water, I’ll feel like I’ve reached my destination,” he said. “Once you get out, exploring, eating at local restaurants – that’s when you start to feel like you’re really travelling.”
Highlighting neighborhood favorites
That appreciation for local restaurants is what attracted Efron to Pepsi’s Local Eats Deserve Pepsi platform, which aims to bring more attention – and more customers – to neighborhood eateries across the country.
The campaign launched in 2024 and has supported more than 75,000 local restaurants through promotional resources and community events. This year’s Pepsi Eats Fest series kicked off at the Big Star in Chicago, where guests enjoyed complimentary food, Pepsi-infused beverages, live entertainment and a taste of Efron’s limited-edition fish tacos. Additional events are planned for cities including Nashville, Boston and Los Angeles.
For Efron, the path is simple: If you want to experience a place like a local, start by asking someone.
“The best places are usually where the locals send you,” he said.
For my part, I know of at least one restaurant I’ll check out the next time I visit Chicago, courtesy of Efron.
