Inspiring Conversations with Collin Mccauley of Collin’s Grub Guide

Today we’d like to introduce you to Collin Mccauley

Hi Collin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My whole food journey starts with where I am from, the city of Brotherly Love. In Philly, we have constant debates about the best cheesesteak in the city, and this is where I first started ranking foods. It began as simply a man on a mission for the best cheesesteak in the city, and upon moving away, I started hunting for the best food possible.
Once I finally graduated college and got a job, I had the means to find the best food all over the country. I started traveling around the States. In cities like Memphis, New Orleans, Houston, etc., I would eat at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and my fellow customers and workers would ask me how I found this eatery upon only being in the city for a few hours. I would explain how I do extensive research to find the best food in every city I go to, and all these people would tell me I need to write up what I am doing.
By then, my friends and family had already agreed that I needed to start a website, but once strangers told me, I realized it was time. After doing this and working for a long time, I earned enough money to take my food journeys to other parts of the world. While I have plenty more destinations to attend to, I am happy to say that I have food recommendations in over 40 cities across seven countries. With plenty more where that came from!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a bit of a bumpy road for me, changing careers a few times while also getting my website up and running. I have always been trying to eat fantastic food, but I can’t say the path has been easy. I am happy that I have been able to overcome the challenges I have faced and that I am in a great position where I am satisfied with my life. Hopefully, my food reviews will reach an audience where this could become my full-time job.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As stated in the name: Collin’s Grub Guide, I specialize in recommending food to people. And specifically, I specialize in finding hole-in-the-wall spots. I love a nice mom-and-pop restaurant where you can tell the food is made with so much love. And those are the restaurants I prioritize when eating in a city. These restaurants allow you to experience the culture of the city you travel to in its most authentic form. Seeing and eating with people loyal to local businesses and caring about their communities.
On my website, the most helpful pages are the city pages themselves. There, you can find a map, rankings, and notes on all the best food I have eaten in the specific city. This feature of my site is the most profound tool I have. For example, check out the city page for San Francisco here.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory on my food journey is easily the first time I tried John’s Roast Pork’s cheesesteaks. I had already eaten two cheesesteaks prior that day, took one bite of their cheesesteak and started freaking out. I devoured the sandwich and immediately ordered one more. Ever since then I have been bringing everyone I can to John’s and have been making an effort to go every time I can. When I go I always order 3 steaks and devour them all in one sitting. It is a heavenly experience that everyone needs to try.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.collinsgrubguide.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collinsgrubguide/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@collinsgrubguide
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/collin-grub-guide