How It Works
The Selection Process
At the heart of Hungry? lies a sophisticated yet elegantly simple randomization engine. When you click the "I'm feeling hungry" button, you aren't just rolling a die; you are triggering a multi-step process designed to ensure a quality dining recommendation.
First, we establish your search parameters. This involves either pinpointing your precise geolocation (latitude and longitude) or converting your manual text input (like a city name or zip code) into a coordinate pair. Once we have a center point, we initiate a search to ensure the results are accessible but varied.
The algorithm then filters for establishments, crossing out irrelevant results like grocery stores or gas stations. From this curated list of nearby candidates, our randomizer selects a single winner. This ensures the most excitement when landing on a hidden hole-in-the-wall or a popular downtown eatery.
Data Sources
To provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, Hungry? relies on the power of Google. This connection allows us to access a massive, real-time database of millions of points of interest globally.
When a restaurant is selected, we don't just show you a name. We query for rich details, including:
- Star Ratings & User Reviews: To give you an immediate sense of quality.
- Price Levels: So you know if it's a budget bite or a splurge.
- Operational Status: Checking if the place is currently open or permanently closed.
- Visuals: High-quality photos uploaded by the community to whet your appetite.
By leveraging robust infrastructure, we ensure that the data you see is as current as possible, reflecting recent closures, new openings, and updated hours.
Privacy & Location Handling
We take your privacy seriously. In an era where digital footprints are constantly tracked, Hungry? is designed to be ephemeral and respectful of your data.
Geolocation Data: When you grant us permission to access your location, your browser sends your coordinates directly to our server for the sole purpose of finding nearby restaurants. We do not store your location history, track your movements, or build a profile of your dining habits. The coordinates are used for the duration of the search request and then immediately discarded.
Manual Entry: If you prefer not to share your precise location, our manual entry feature allows you to search by city or zip code. This data is treated with the same privacy standards—used only to generate the search area and never stored permanently.
No Accounts Required: You'll notice that Hungry? does not require you to sign up, log in, or provide an email address. We believe that finding lunch shouldn't require a password. This "no-strings-attached" approach ensures that your usage remains anonymous and hassle-free.
Why Random?
Psychologists call it "decision fatigue"—the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision making. By the time you've finished a work day, your brain is often too exhausted to weigh the pros and cons of Thai vs. Italian.
Hungry? acts as an external executive function. By offloading the choice to an algorithm, you bypass the fatigue and jump straight to the reward: eating. Furthermore, randomization breaks the "filter bubble" of your own habits. It forces you out of your comfort zone and introduces you to culinary experiences you might never have chosen for yourself, enriching your palate and your connection to your local community.