Behind the Blog: Nicole Yates of DidjaEat?

Food Blogger Extraordinare: Nicole Yates of DidjaEat?

Hey folks – we took last week off because we didn’t have a featured blogger to feature. Y’all gotta submit those requests, otherwise you might not be featured here.

Luckily, one cool Philly food blogger stepped up to the plate and filled out our questionnaire this week. Meet Nicole Yates, the awesome writer behind DidjaEat? Gotta say, love the name because… that’s so Philly!

Name:
Nicole Yates
Age:
old-ish
Location:
Port Richmond (Northeast Philly)
Blog Name:
DidjaEat?
Blog URL:
http://didjaeat.com
Blog Focus:
I’ll write about anything that strikes me as awesome wether it is a restaurant or a dish or even some kind of silly junk food. I try to keep it positive and have really only written really negative pieces 2 times in 4 years.
Launch Date:
2010
Why did you start blogging?
I love food, maybe a little too much.
What do you like best about blogging?
I love sharing photos and articles of food with people because it’s one of the few things every person has in common, you gotta eat.
What platform do you use?
WordPress
How do you promote your blog?
I promote DidjaEat? on twitter, instagram, tumblr and facebook (and on the podcast!). Occasionally I’ll run ads as well.
Do you write all of the blog posts yourself?
Yes
What are your favorite/most popular blog posts?

What is your favorite “foodie” or food blogging experience so far?
I had a blast sitting down the Tony Luke and talking about food like a couple of little kids talking about action figures we’ve collected.
What are your favorite cuisines/meals/recipes?
I love cheeseburgers! Also, my mom makes a lovely meatloaf that is awesome with green beans and potatoes with a tomato soup gravy that is out of this world. I enjoy Italian food but also Polish food (I am Polish). I’ll eat almost anything, to be honest.
What are your favorite Philly area restaurants?
Shake Shack, Ida Mae’s Bruncherie. Loco Pez, Meltkraft, Oregon Diner, Tony’s Tomato Pie (in Mayfair), The Grey Lodge, American Sardine Bar
Who are your favorite Philly area chefs or food business personalities?
I enjoy Tony Luke, there’s a guy who really likes what he does. I also enjoy Drew Lazor’s writing. Mike Scotese (Scoats) at the Grey Lodge is a wonderful guy who loves beer & food and loves bringing people together. He wins.
How often do you go out to eat at Philly area restaurants?
2-3 times per week
How often do you cook at home?
Several times per week
What are your favorite stores/shops/markets to shop for food products?
Reading Terminal Market is tops for me. Fair Food Farmstand (Alex is awesome). I do hit the local Shoprite alot, because it’s so close to my house. It might not be a popular answer but until they start building more stuff in my Port Richmond neighborhood, that’s where I go. Also, I love the kielbasie at Krakus Market on Richmond Street.
Tell us a few things you think our readers would find interesting about the local food scene.
Since Philly is a city sort of built on neighborhoods and ethnicity; you can find some really specific foods still made and sold in the city limits. Really good Russian is in the northeast (such as at NetCost Market), really good Polish food is in Port Richmond, Mexican and Italian in South Philly, etc. But look beyond the big names, as the Philly lifer for recommendations and you will be surprised. There is life beyond South Philly/Fishtown.
Tell us more about yourself.
I used to have a food business called Polish Goodness Pierogies. After awhile I blew out my shoulder rolling dough so I had to shut down. I am also a stand up comic, appearing all over the upper east coast area. Also, I run a podcast for DidjaEat? in which I interview food biz people as well as just people who are into food. The conversation starts there and can go in any direction. Food bring us all together.
What other food blogs do you follow?

Food In Jars http://www.foodinjars.com/
Serious Eats http://seriouseats.com/

Twitter URL:
http://www.twitter.com/didja_eat
Facebook URL:
http://www.facebook.com/didjaeatfoodblog
Instagram URL:
http://www.instagram.com/didja_eat
Tumblr:
http://didjaeat.tumblr.com

Thanks, Nicole! Yeah, we love food, not just a little, but A LOT too much. HAHA!

BTW – we LOVE the Russian markets in the Northeast — especially the new NetCost Markets! We recently attended a grand opening of their Welsh Road store in the Northeast. Everybody should check them out because they are a welcome addition to the food scene in Philadelphia; not just for ethnic foods but for gourmet foods.

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