Our Story

It’s a familiar story, whether we're at home or traveling. Whenever we plan to go out, my wife dives into the research. But after an hour of scrolling through endless reviews and lists, we always end up doing the same thing: texting a local friend we trust and asking, “Where should we really go?”

The answer is never a list of 20 places. It’s two or three spots, max. Simple, honest, and reliable. It makes the decision easy.

But even then, the research wasn't over. My wife would immediately open TikTok and Instagram to see videos of the place—what’s the vibe like? Is it loud? Is it cozy? Meanwhile, I’d be trying to find photos of the dishes. I always want to order the best thing on the menu, and I hate asking a busy waiter who gives a generic answer. Half the time, we’d order something and wish we’d gotten what the table next to us had.

That’s when the idea for GrubTok hit us.

Why were we jumping between Google, Yelp, a friend’s text, Instagram, and TikTok just to answer two simple questions: Where should we go, and what should we get?

1. A Friend Who Truly Gets You (Trusted & Personalized)

A recommendation from a friend is great because it's honest. But it's perfect because it's personal. A real friend knows you love spicy food, that you're vegetarian, or that you prefer a quiet ambiance. Generic "best of" lists, even from locals, don't know you. That's why we built our Miso AI to learn your unique taste profile. It combines the knowledge of a local expert with the personal understanding of a close friend, ensuring the top 3 choices aren't just the best in the city—they're the best for you.

2. See It Before You Book It (Visual)

Next, we tackled the endless search for videos and dish photos. A star rating can’t show you the candlelit ambiance of a date night spot or how incredible the cheese pull is on the signature lasagna. We made GrubTok a video-first experience, pulling in content from social media and our own creators so you can feel the vibe and see the food before you even make a reservation. No more guesswork, no more order-envy.

Everything in One Place

GrubTok is the result of our own frustrations. It’s a single, beautiful place where you get personalized and trusted recommendations, see what the experience is actually like, and know exactly what to order when you get there.

It’s not just another discovery app. It’s your new trusted companion for discovering unforgettable meals, seamlessly. We built it for us, and we hope you’ll love it too.

Nitesh Pundra, Founder of GrubTok