Editorial

Toasting Toledo

8/12/2012

Finally, a top-10 list Toledo doesn't have to be embarrassed to be on.

The real estate Web site Trulia.com figured out how the top 100 U.S. metropolitan areas compare on their shares of eating and drinking establishments. Toledo ranked 35th in gastronomic opportunities, with 19.8 restaurants for every 10,000 households. San Francisco topped the list with an astounding 39.3 restaurants per 10,000 households.

Most of the cities with the highest density of places to eat are on the east and west coasts. Still, Toledo beat out Ohio's other major metro areas, as well as Pittsburgh, Lansing, and Indianapolis.

When the survey turned to bars, Toledo was fifth, with 7.2 taverns for every 10,000 households. Not surprisingly, New Orleans led the list, with 8.6 alcohol-serving establishments. Pittsburgh finished just ahead of Toledo at 7.9.

Why does this matter? According to the Web site theatlanticcities.com, when people choose where to live, they often want a diverse selection of bars and restaurants, even when they don't intend to frequent those establishments.

So raise a glass to metro Toledo, a great place to eat and drink.