Welcome to the Progress Podcast! In this episode, we feature Dine with Dom, a rapidly rising food content creator whose page exploded in just six weeks after she shared a video of a legendary home-cooked cheesesteak from Backyard Cravings.

A self-described "savory over sweet" girl and a South Jersey native, Dom shares her infectious energy and her meticulously organized "must-try" list as she sits down to rate plates and settle the ultimate Jersey vs. Philly debates.

In this fun-filled episode, host Alex Pagano and Dine with Dom dive into:

• The Viral Start: Dom reveals how a cousin’s encouragement and a hard-to-get cheesesteak from Backyard Cravings led to her food page blowing up, reaching over half a million views on Instagram in just over a month.
• Rate the Plate (Philly Edition): Dom ranks iconic Philadelphia dishes based on appearance, giving a 9/10 to the Cavatelli at Murph’s in Fishtown and an 8.8/10 to the meatballs at Adoro.
• Rate the Plate (South Jersey Edition): The game moves across the bridge where Dom gives an 8.2/10 to the unique Kaiser-roll cheesesteak at Donkey’s Place and a 7.7/10 to the Nutella dessert pizza at Francesca’s.
• Best Pizza by County: Dom puts her South Jersey knowledge to the test, identifying the top slices in the region, including Lelo’s (Burlington County), Brooklyn Original (Camden County), Rosie's (Ocean County), and her all-time childhood favorite, Sam’s Pizza Palace in Wildwood.
• Overrated Spots: Dom doesn’t hold back on the hype, agreeing that some "tourist" spots are past their prime and discussing why the local hidden gems often provide a better experience.
• The "Dine with Dom" Wawa Special: For the non-gatekeepers, Dom shares her secret Wawa order: a toasted chicken tender hoagie on a wheat roll with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a touch of mayo and avocado.
• Bridge Toll Trivia: Dom decides what’s worth the $6 bridge toll, declaring she would pay it for the pasta at Murph’s and the stromboli at South Philly Prosciutto Bread, but prefers staying local for the hummus at Aman's Mediterranean Market.
• Jersey Pride: A staunch defender of the Garden State, Dom explains why New Jersey is the ultimate place to live due to its proximity to the shore, the mountains, and major cities like Philly and New York.

Where to Find Dine with Dom: Instagram: @dinewithdom_ TikTok: @dinewithdom_

Where to Find the Host: Instagram: @mortgagewithpagano TikTok: @mortgagewithpagano

Where to Find the Podcast: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts @progresswithpagano

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are personal and not representative of any professional organization.