SoFlo has no shortage of great places to eat and if you’re like us, you find some of them on social media, thanks to a ton of talented local foodie influencers. Deco’s Alex Miranda caught up with a rising Instagram star who just won’t put down the fork.
You may remember Melissa Marrero Rodriguez as a local tv reporter. But Mel has made the transition to bonafide influencer, not sharing her great love of all: Dinner. Well, her husband too, but…food.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez is hungry.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “I am obsessed with food, service and atmosphere.”
But especially at Motek in Coral Gables.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: I can’t wait for you to try it. It’s Mediterranean. I honestly can come here just for the hummus.”
Alex Miranda: “I heard about the hummus.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “And the bread so creamy, right? Look at that.”
Just one restaurant the rising food influencer has posted about on her popular Instagram account: Always Hungry Mel, where the TV reporter-turned-social media star showcases…Oh.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “This is the raised burger. It’s made with lamb. It’s cut up into small little pieces, perfect for social media so you don’t make a mess.”
Sizzling spots in South Florida.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “It started off when I was a reporter for eight years, I had a foodie segment. People would DM me. ‘What restaurant is that? I want to go?’ And that’s when I decided, ‘OK, I need to start Always Hungry Mel.’”
Including Caracas Bakery, also in the Gables, where you just might see a Jonas Brother.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “Jesus, I heard that Joe Jonas loves coming here. What does he get?”
Jesus Brazon: Normally, he gets a Cachito and coffee, but he likes everything from the place.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “So what do we have in front of us?”
Jesus Brazon: “Right now you have the Golfeados, which is our version of the morning bun and we have a plain croissant and the famous Cachita we make in-house.”
Alex Miranda: “Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “Caracas is a local gem in Coral Gables. They actually just opened their new location here.”
Alex Miranda: “I haven’t learned the eating cute part, yet.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “Definitely not.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “My husband and I do a lot of date nights. We go to lunch. My family and I as well. If it’s a new restaurant coming to South Florida, publicists or restaurant owners reach out to me to go check it out.”
Her handsome husband, Javi, is a follower favorite.
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “I only post restaurants that we both enjoy.”
Video: “We ordered the Prosciutto and Stracciatella. A must at Luca. So good. Now we’re at Eating House where they have a Una Vodka drink called the Post-it Note.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “They’re spending their money, and so I want to make sure I send them to the right places. We film, and then I go home, write the story and put it together. Honestly, you just need a phone, a light, a tripod and a husband like Javi.”
Or at least a friend.
Alex Miranda: “We gotta get a bigger bite than that, Melissa. Come on!”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “It’s vertical now.”
Alex Miranda: “oh, it’s vertical now. Okay, got it!”
Alex Miranda: “Wow, that looks good.”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “OK, that’s a little, a little too close.”
Alex Miranda: “Hey guys, welcome to…”
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “Alex. What are you doing?’
But also has this advice for up and comers,
Melissa Marrero Rodriguez: “Be passionate. That’s so important. Post consistently. Three times a week, and then try to every single day. When I film something and I’m like, so happy and excited about it, I can’t wait to see what people think. So it makes me really, really happy.”
Follow Melissa on Instagram, TikTok and Threads @ALWAYSHUNGRYMEL
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