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The true value of restaurant reviews comes from those who understand both sides of the dining experience. Local food blogger and influencer, Anthony from Thick Eats,  joins Chef Tony and KC to discuss how his family's 37-year Lebanese restaurant business shaped his approach to food content creation for Instagram and beyond.

Starting Thick Eats during the pandemic, Anthony set out with a clear purpose: to spotlight restaurants deserving attention rather than chasing trends. "I was seeing restaurants that I personally enjoyed struggling," he explains, describing his motivation to create content that genuinely helps businesses. This perspective stands in stark contrast to many modern food influencers who prioritize aesthetics over substance with ZERO experience in a restaurant.

We get into the evolution of food criticism from the brutal newspaper critics of decades past to today's social media landscape where anyone can post reviews without accountability. Anthony positions himself in this ecosystem as what the hosts dub an "ethical blogger" – someone committed to honesty, fairness, and transparency. His process involves personally vetting restaurants before featuring them, initially paying for his own meals, and refusing to promote establishments he doesn't genuinely enjoy.

What makes Anthony's content amazing is his understanding of restaurant operations. Growing up in his family's Mediterranean restaurant, Azar's Mediterranean Specialties, he learned firsthand about ingredient quality, cultural dining traditions, and service styles. This knowledge allows him to educate his audience about different dining experiences – like explaining why fine dining establishments pace their service differently than casual eateries.

Though social media growth presents challenges in today's saturated market, Anthony remains committed to quality over quantity. His measure of success isn't follower count but seeing people tag restaurants he's promoted during their special occasions – proof that his recommendations create meaningful dining experiences.

How do you separate authentic food content from clout-chasing in your social feeds? Follow Thick Eats to discover restaurants worth visiting from someone who understands food from both sides of the kitchen door.

Connect with Anthony and support his amazing work here: 

https://www.instagram.com/thickeats/

https://www.youtube.com/@thickeatsva

https://www.tiktok.com/@thickeats?_t=8eGneCz2WvS&_r=1

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