Meet Josh Wilbanks | Social Media Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Wilbanks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Eat in Dallas during the tail-end of the pandemic as a way to support local businesses while they were reopening to the public and as a personal creative outlet. I wanted to become a source of information for those visiting Dallas for the first time, but also highlight hidden gems in North Texas that often get overlooked and deserve to be in the spotlight.

My dream has always been to start my own marketing company and as Eat in Dallas has developed over the past two years, taking on restaurants and local businesses as clients is becoming more of a reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am proud of Eat in Dallas and the way that it has grown to be able to support the North Texas community. Because of the platform, I have been able to give away 36,308 free Hawaiian Bros meals throughout the United States, been nominated as 2022 Best in DFW Social Media Influencer, featured local restaurants and have them sell out of stock the same day because of my posts, and so much more.

While there are many accounts out there that post similar content as me, what sets mine apart is that I will always put the restaurant or business first. It isn’t very often that you will see my face or me posing in a photo or video because I believe that the location, services being offered and business itself should be the most forward facing.

I started Eat in Dallas as a way to support local businesses, and that will always stay my number one priority.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One thing about me is that I love a good happy hour and brunch, so my first stop would be Standard Pour for their $5 cocktails and discounted appetizers or down the street at the cocktail bar Parliament (especially if it’s raining because anytime it rains they have happy hour). The best quality food for brunch I have ever had is at Rye in Lower Greenville, but you can’t beat the mimosa towers, rainbow shots, and inclusivity at Roy G’s off Cedar Springs!

Lucky’s Hot Chicken has been a staple for me to show people from out of town and I will forever say that the best birria tacos, quesabirria, and birria ramen comes from Chef Tastebudz, a pop-up chef at Taco City right outside of Rokwood Nightclub in Downtown Dallas.

Want to get the perfect view of the city for free? You have to go to Waterproof on top of the 19th floor of the Statler.

And if you’re looking for a fun place to dance and get lost in the music, Milli in Lower Greenville or It’ll Do Club are our favorites for House music and local DJs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been given endless encouragement and support by my boyfriend, Zach Wilson. While he is my designated hand model and never shies away from the camera, he has also spent so many nights going through the post editing process with me and growing Eat in Dallas by my side.

DFW Grub Club, a group of local Dallas foodie influencers, has also been a source of information and friendship. I joined the online group when I first started Eat in Dallas and it has been a great way to make real life friends in the community.

Website: https://linktr.ee/eatindallas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatindallas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatindallas

Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@eatindallas