The Golden Triangle’s most prolific Yelp reviewer lives in downtown Columbus.
Her name is Meredith Cadwell. She is 27. She posted her first Yelp review in the spring.
In case you do not know, Yelp is a San Francisco-based, online service that allows users to post business reviews to its website.
Cadwell’s reviewing began like this: She and Justin Cadwell, a 30-year-old captain in the Air Force stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, had just married. While honeymooning in Colorado, the couple ate a meal at a restaurant owned by the famous chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. When they finished, Meredith felt inspired.
“That restaurant sent me over the edge to start ‘yelping,'” she said. “It was so overwhelmingly good that I had to tell the world about it.”
Her first review was posted on April 25.
In the seven months since, she has posted 141.
Last week, during an interview with The Dispatch, Cadwell laughed and used the word “addiction” to describe her relationship with Yelp.
Many users review restaurants. Any business or location can be reviewed, though.
Cadwell has reviewed Hobby Lobby in Columbus (“I don’t know how I would survive in Columbus without Hobby Lobby”); the Riverwalk; the post office downtown; and the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (“Gets the job done”).
Still, most of her reviews are of restaurants.
She gives compliments (on Two Brothers Smoked Meats in Starkville: “The duck sliders and the chipotle pork tacos were nothing short of amazing”) but also criticizes when she feels it is warranted (on Juva Juice: “Absolutely delicious” but “a little on the pricey side”).
Often, when traveling in different cities, Cadwell uses Yelp to find good places to eat. She wants to see honest opinions. So when she reviews a business, she does so honestly.
She believes restaurant managers and owners value honesty, too. Like in May, when she posted a mediocre review of Lost Pizza Co. in Columbus. The restaurant’s management saw the review, sent her a gift certificate and asked for a second chance.
Cadwell admits that not many people in Columbus use Yelp — especially compared to bigger cities — but she hopes that changes. She said it is a great service and one that strenthens a community’s businesses.
How does her husband feel about her relationship with Yelp?
“He supports my Yelp addiction,” Cadwell said with a laugh. “Especially when we get free stuff because of it.”
To browse reviews, visit Yelp.com.
Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected].
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.