BRIDGEPORT — In late December, Claude Patterson III sat bundled up in a winter hat and parka in his automobile exterior of Ki Delicia on Beers Road, filming a evaluate of a meal he had simply bought inside.
“It is a bakery and deli situated right here in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is Brazilian. It is Brazilian-owned,” Patterson stated into his digicam. “Proper behind the precise North Avenue jail. Is it nearly as good as folks have been saying it’s for years? I go by this place one million occasions a day, however I’ve by no means truly are available in right here, so I need to discover out.”
That introduction encapsulates a lot of what Patterson has been making an attempt to perform for the previous 4 years producing and internet hosting his no-frills “Principally Wholesome Meals Critiques,” episodes of that are at the moment launched twice per week on-line on YouTube and NewsBreak.
Whereas hardly a culinary snob — Patterson additionally showcases loads of chain/quick meals eating places, like a go to Thursday to Wendy’s for a panko-encrusted fish sandwich for Lent — he additionally enjoys filming at Bridgeport’s hole-in-the-wall institutions different folks may ignore.
“The entire level is that it has the very best meals and also you’re lacking out for those who do not give it an opportunity,” Patterson stated.
He would have the identical message for anybody who doubts Bridgeport has change into a eating and “foodie” vacation spot.
“Bridgeport itself is a melting pot. So many cultures and ethnicities,” stated Patterson, who’s a mixture of Dominican, Cape Verdean and African American. “Any meals you possibly can presumably consider, I can present you a spot in Bridgeport to get it.”
In line with Patterson, he has posted over 430 video opinions since launching this “labor of affection.”
The hassle can also be about self-love.
Patterson, 49, for a few years has been on dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant and had to enhance his eating regimen.
When he data his twice-per-week episodes, he tries to pick out a couple of more healthy menu choices, although that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Patterson not too long ago highlighted a caramel chocolate chilly brew at one of many metropolis’s Dunkin’ Donuts areas.
“The phrase ‘largely’ means what? I am not at all times gonna eat wholesome,” Patterson stated. “I am removed from excellent. I am not a nutritionist. I am only a man who enjoys good meals.”
Engaged on his opinions additionally helps Patterson maintain his spirits up.
“If I put myself in my movies and immerse myself in my movies, I am too busy to fret about anything occurring,” he stated.
A typical episode will embody footage by his windshield en path to that day’s vacation spot, of the eatery in query, its menu, and a number of other minutes of Patterson taking bites and/or sips in his automobile and speaking in regards to the expertise. That strategy was significantly handy through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when many eating places closed their eating rooms to assist cease the sickness’ unfold and simply provided takeout.
“Principally Wholesome Meals Critiques” shouldn’t be a vacation spot for folks searching for fantastic eating that may price some severe money.
“I get lots of people who’re like, ‘Hey, I might like to eat out however I received a household, it is onerous to assist all of them. I am unable to afford this,'” Patterson stated. “I attempt to discover issues which might be going to be in folks’s funds.”
And whereas Patterson’s on-line presentation is that of a daily man simply out tasting some cheap meals, he has added a couple of idiosyncrasies, introducing himself to recorded cheers and briefly mugging for the digicam, saying, “Did you miss me?!?!?” in an in depth up shot.
Patterson stated that latter bit particularly has gone over effectively with younger followers. A bit lady who lives in his condo constructing not too long ago acknowledged him and requested for his autograph.
“It is the very best feeling,” he stated.
Patterson stated his viewers can even get honesty once they tune in. Like when he reviewed one native restaurant’s hen sandwich a couple of years in the past and claimed he might make one simply nearly as good, however for cheaper, at residence.
“I don’t chew my tongue about something,” he stated. “I’ve truly spit meals out on digicam. I’ve truly thrown meals within the rubbish.”
Eric Bryson grew to become a associate at Thelma’s Soul Meals downtown about 4 years in the past and recalled previous to that Patterson had given the long-time enterprise a poor evaluate.
“One other buyer advised him to return again,” Bryson. “After, he was raving in regards to the place.”
And that resulted in Patterson additionally filming some paid movies to assist unfold the phrase about Thelma’s.
“I used to be somewhat skeptical at first. I did not actually know his attain or have been folks actually wanting on the stuff,” Bryson stated. “We even have prospects who are available in right here and say, ‘Hey, we noticed the video of you guys.’ So I might say it does drum up enterprise.”
Patterson ultimately want to make his dwelling off of “Principally Wholesome Meals Critiques” and associated initiatives. He at the moment additionally works as a nursing technician.
He has been increasing his protection space, filming in different Connecticut cities and cities like Stamford, New Haven, Stratford and Milford. And he desires massive.
“That is my residence, nevertheless it’s not the place I am gonna write the remainder of my story,” Patterson stated. “I need to exit, go to different states, meet completely different folks, attempt completely different meals.”
That features a meal someday at a vacation spot that actually towers above Bridgeport’s eating scene, or that of every other vacation spot — Environment, a fantastic eating restaurant situated atop the world’s tallest constructing in Dubai.
“My essential aim is to make it to Dubai,” Patterson stated.
Supply hyperlink
