Food Reviews For Everyday Eaters

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What began as a forum to share home videos of kittens falling off furniture, graduations, and kids' birthday parties in 2005, has evolved into a treasure trove of regularly produced shows, or "vlogs" (video blogs).  I'm, of course, referring to YouTube.  With, literally, millions of YouTube channels in existence, one can find vlogs on any topic imaginable.  The White House even maintains a vlog chronicling the weekly activities of the President.

Being a food enthusiast, I've waded through a, seemingly, endless array of cooking demos, wine critiques, and food reviews on the site.  However, I've only found two food vlogs, so far, which I find useful enough to subscribe to and watch on a regular basis.

Both vlogs feature weekly food reviews.  Yet, neither vlog tells viewers which Michelin Starred restaurant has the best Foie Gras Torchon; these are reviews geared toward the common eater.

Subject: "Piggly Wiggly" grocery store, Port Gibson, Mississippi, with view of frozen foods cases | Date: 09/04/2008 | Photographer: Infrogmation | This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

I've been watching Gregory Ng, the self-proclaimed "Frozen Food Master," and host of Freezerburns™ since 2011.  Gregory began his frozen food review vlog in 2008 with a series of, five to ten minute, frozen food reviews.  Such reviews feature him preparing the meal according to the manufacture's directions, taking a few bites, and commenting on taste, texture, aroma, price, clarity of the directions, and ease of preparation.

A few years later, Ng added quick single word reviews (yum, yuck, cheesy, etc...) and "Fro-Downs,"  featuring a comparisons between two similar items.  He's also streams the occasional live event.

If his integrity as a critic was ever in question, such doubts were erased during one live stream, when Ng gave Healthy Choice Slow Roasted Turkey Medallions a mixed review, as a Healthy Choice sales executive sat with him, on screen.

Subject: A Big Mac combo meal with French fries and Coca-Cola | Date: 04/07/2009 | Photographer: Toddst2| This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Recently, I hit upon Daym Drops, who delivers reviews of food from national food chains (usually fast food) and the occasional "Mom & Pop" run eatery in his area.

While Daym's downtown brand of humor and slang may turn some people off, if viewers listen to what he's saying, from the front seat of his car, they'll find he's knowledgeable about food and his reviews are usually right.

I can't testify to the accuracy of his reviews of local non-chain restaurants, but I find his chain reviews, such as his analysis of Burger King's Big King vs McDonalds' Big Mac  or chicken, biscuits, & fries from KFC vs Popeye's, to be right on the money.  Ya know what I'm sayin'?  Word up, yo!

Again, these two pundits aren't highbrow critics reviewing gourmet fare.  They're commentators providing down to earth information to consumers looking to down some fast food or buy some poppers for their next televised sporting event.
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