Foodie vs Food Snob

My dad came into town today for work, and we had very little time to grab lunch.  So we walked to the nearest eatery: Subway.  This prompts the question, can you still be a foodie and eat at a place like Subway?

I am a firm believer in yes.  You see, there is a big difference between being a foodie and a food snob.  Only a food snob would refuse to eat at Subway or a similar venue.  So what are those differences?  I am glad you asked.

A foodie enjoys the experience of eating, regardless of where that eating takes place (within reason; off a bathroom floor at Dodger Stadium would likely not qualify).  A food snob will only eat at "acceptable" places.  That is, those that are culturally accepted in his circle, typically being more exclusive and more expensive, and almost never chains.

A foodie will order his eggs medium over, but if they come over easy will eat them cheerfully anyway, because he realizes that in this very busy brunch environment a few degrees of temperature difference is acceptable as long as it doesn't interfere with health concerns.  A food snob will send those things back so fast the waiter's head will spin, all the while mentally deducting it from the tip.

A foodie enjoys good food and good drinks, regardless of the pairing.  A food snob would never eat eggplant parmesan with a pina colada, and would give me a dirty look for ordering such.

A foodie understands that ballpark nachos, fast food subs, greasy potato chips and packaged artery clogging cookies are also foods worthy of respect and the occasional indulgence.  A food snob will eat nothing that is not organic, seasonal, and prepared by the highest educated and qualified chef, and will make a little throaty chuckle with a head shake when I do eat these things in front of him.

Basically, the foodie is the person who appreciates all things culinary, but is not so full of himself to think that his way is the only way to experience these things.  That is the providence of the food snob.  So the moral of this little story is: don't be a food snob.  Eat at Subway if you feel like it, or Chipotle, or wherever you wish.  Eat Oreos or Top Ramen.  These are foods, too, and they also have feelings.  Well, not really, but you get my point.