1. Get the search area
Use current browser location or type a city or postal code. The search radius controls how far PlateLuck asks the map service to look.
2. Pull a bounded restaurant pool
PlateLuck requests mapped restaurants, cafes, fast food, food courts, ice cream and bakery-type places from OpenStreetMap services. Results may be incomplete because community map coverage varies.
3. Apply hard filters
Cuisine, chain skipping, rejected places and Open Now can eliminate candidates.
4. Score the remaining fit
Distance and Smart Pick preferences influence the score. Recent results get a penalty. Better map detail adds a small usability boost.
5. Keep a little luck
The strongest group of candidates becomes the final random pool. Surprise Level controls how broad that group can become.
6. Give you a decision
PlateLuck displays one winner and two backup plates. You can save it, share it, veto it or open directions.