Originally posted by: TallBill
It's a social thing, nothing more.
You do understand there is an entire culture of food enthusiasts (I hate saying foodies), right? This could anything from eating chicken feet at the local Asian market to Sichuan cuisine, none of which I can guarantee you that you know how to cook at home. Many people in this culinary group eat alone just to give others an idea of what to expect.
Some people are enthusiastic about food. I am, and I actively seek out new places with regularity. It doesn't have to be expensive or about "fine dining"; it could be about the simplest street food that's absolutely delicious. My favorite tends to be things like Korean BBQ, Mexican tacos (chorizo, carnitas, etc.) or whatever else.