NYC's Most Popular Food Influencers Dish on Iconic (and Overrated) Restaurants

Sister Snacking: NYC's Food Influencers Are Calling Out Overrated Restaurants

The Shapiro sisters — Sara, Madison, Carly, and Julia — are taking the food scene by storm with their popular social media account, @sistersnacking. With nearly half a million followers on both Instagram and TikTok, they're not afraid to dish on the Big Apple's most iconic eateries.

Their "Iconic or Overrated" series has generated a lot of buzz, especially their take on Peter Luger's. While they're fans of classic spots like Katz's Delicatessen and Rao's, they found the steakhouse's prices not worth the hype.

"We went back and we did not have a great meal and we were very disappointed. That was a big one that brought a lot of opinions,” says Carly.

And they're not afraid to handle the backlash. "People get so upset, they’re like, ‘I’ve been eating here since I was 12. How dare you?'" admits Madison.

They also gave Carbone a thumbs down, declaring it too touristy and no longer worth the hype. Rao's, however, still reigns supreme for its classic Italian fare. JG Melon, on the other hand, got a big no for its "bland" burger.

From Takeout Reviews to Viral Success

The sisters started their journey in 2015 with @sistersnacking on Instagram. But it was during the pandemic, while they were quarantined together, that they found their recipe for success with Connecticut takeout reviews.

Their TikTok breakthrough came in December 2021 with a viral video featuring Skirt Steak in NoMad.

"It was $29 for steak, unlimited fries, salad. And so we posted that and it just went mega viral at the time, like six million views,” recalls Madison.

The video not only boosted their following, but also had a massive impact on the restaurant, which was struggling at the time.

"There were lines of people for hours,” Madison says.

Their success has made them digital influencers, earning them five-figure paychecks for a single post. They also generate income through ad revenue on their website, and on their TikTok videos, they get paid for views.

The sisters are living proof that passion and authenticity can lead to a successful career in the digital world. They're showing NYC, and the world, that good food doesn't always come with a hefty price tag.