Cromar is on a roll — and looking for a slice
Local food reviewer using platform to help local restaurants
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MARTINS FERRY -- Ohio Valley resident Kelsey Cromar is using her platform to showcase local restaurants.
Cromar began reviewing local restaurants on various social media platforms this past November. Since then, she has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on countless videos reviewing food from area restaurants.
"I eat a lot of food and I’m one of those people that like to find somewhere to eat every day," Cromar said. "I started with burgers, I ate at a local food place in Wheeling called Avenue Eats, and I always got a burger from there and one day I was like, I’ve been eating the same burger forever, I wonder if I post online asking if someone can tell me where a better burger is."
She added that she posted the review on social media and rated the burger on presentation, texture and flavor. She said the post received hundreds of comments suggesting where she should go for her next burger.
"So I was like, this might be fun. Let me get to the next place and it just snowballed from there," Cromar said. "I only do mom and pop shops and local businesses for food reviews. I refuse to do a chain restaurant because I don’t think billionaire companies need the reviews or need the business that I could possibly throw someone’s way."
Cromar said another reason she only reviews local restaurants is because she believes anyone trying to build a business from the ground up without significant financial backing deserves respect, especially if they have a good product.
"I like to shine a light in their direction to hopefully help them build their business and give them true and honest feedback," Cromar said. "And if it’s a negative review, I hope they take that as constructive criticism and not me trying to dog their business."
She said the local restaurants she has reviewed so far have been grateful for the free publicity and believes the businesses have seen an uptick in traffic.
"You’d be shocked to see how far people would drive for a good food if they see something in the review that’s fire," Cromar said.
Cromar said businesses have told her that customers have driven three hours to try their food after seeing one of her reviews.
"I think the coolest part about it is that social media is powerful when it comes to reach, and people like food, so it’s easy to draw people in if you got a good product," Cromar said.
Recently, Cromar has been searching for the best Ohio Valley-style pizza.
She has reviewed 11 local pizza shops that specialize in Ohio Valley-style pizza. The series is incomplete, but Downtown Pizza in Mingo Junction currently ranks No. 1, followed by Carlini’s Pizza Shop in Shadyside at No. 2 and Zontini’s Pizza in Martins Ferry at No. 3.
Cromar also has reviewed Johnny D’s in Cadiz, the original DiCarlo’s Pizza in Steubenville, Sha Nay Nay’s Pizza Home in Barnesville, Papa D’s in St. Clairsville, Ray’s Pizza in Wintersville and Lil Gerardo’s Pizza in Bellaire. An 11th location has not yet been announced.
She said the ranking will not be finalized until she releases reviews of all 11 pizza shops.
Cromar said she began searching for the best Ohio Valley-style pizza because she believes the style is unique and nearly impossible to find outside the Ohio Valley.
"With each pizza shop I visited, I learned more and more about the history of how it was created, and how most of these shops branched off from DiCarlos," Cromar said. "Some people call it an 'adult lunchable' because of the cold toppings, but once you try it, it makes sense why it's a staple here."
Her reviews can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok under her name, Kelsey Cromar.
As for what comes next after the search for the best Ohio Valley-style pizza, Cromar said she is considering several possibilities.
She said several people have suggested she review bars or search for the best margarita or Bloody Mary in the Ohio Valley.
"I don’t know if I’m gonna go the alcohol route, but I’m thinking maybe take a break from the carbs and maybe find the best salad in the valley. Try to see if I can go a healthier route," Cromar said. "No matter what, I’m gonna keep this going, so it’s going to be something. I just really haven’t thought about it yet."
Cromar said she hopes her reviews continue to grow and help the area’s local restaurants.
"I hope everyone that’s planning or thought about opening a local business or a local restaurant gets inspired to do that because it’s possible to thrive around here as a mom and pop shop," Cromar said.