Delaware

These 6 UD roommates dish on best bites as the ‘Newark Foodies’

Published

1 month ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

These 6 UD roommates dish on best bites as the ‘Newark Foodies’

Six University of Delaware roommates started the popular Instagram account Newark Foodies.
The account, which began as a hobby, has grown to nearly 8,000 followers.
The students collaborate with local restaurants to spotlight menu items and host giveaways.

It started more than two years ago when a then-University of Delaware sophomore pitched an idea to her five roommates: an Instagram page dedicated to the eateries of Newark.

“I remember thinking, ‘What’s one thing everyone in Newark can relate to that hasn’t really been done yet?” says Hockessin native Leah Pala, 22, recalling the launch of Newark Foodies (@newarkfoodiess).

Ever since that day at Santa Fe Mexican Grill on Main Street with roommates Angelina Pala, Isabella McKenna, Katrina Heinz, Julia Query, Claire Taggart, the sextet has been posting about their meals in the college town, gaining nearly 8,000 followers.

As the housemates prepare for the final semester of their senior year, we chatted with Leah Pala about their favorite Newark spots, meals and more.

Question: Why did you start the account?

Answer: Besides the fact that we are huge foodies … it started as a fun hobby that my roommates and I did together in our free time. However, we never imagined it would get the attention it did, especially from local restaurants.

What was the first spot you featured?

Snap Pizza on Main Street.

What do you like about doing these videos?

We love being able to collaborate with local business owners and spotlight specific menu items that can genuinely help their businesses grow, especially small, locally owned spots. It’s also exciting to try new places and experience a wide variety of food. One of our favorite parts is hosting giveaways, which help boost visibility for both the business and our account while getting the community involved. It’s always fun seeing how far students will go for a gift card.

Any parts you don’t like?

There honestly isn’t much to dislike, but filming can get awkward at times, especially in sit-down restaurants. Obviously, we are not professionals, so six girls spending 20 minutes trying to get the best angle of their meal can get us a few stares. Coordinating six different schedules can also be challenging, between all of us and the restaurants. Most of the time, only two or three of us are able to go, but we always make it work.

Do you contact the owners before you arrive or tell them who you are when you’re there?

We usually reach out ahead of time. That’s when we discuss what kind of content we will create, whether it’s a post, video or stories. When we arrive, we sometimes have to remind them who we are, but it’s never an issue.

Do you pay for the food?

When we coordinate with restaurants ahead of time, we typically don’t pay, which we’re very grateful for. However, we never expect it.

What do you love about dining in Delaware?

I love how much variety Delaware offers. There’s a great mix of small, local spots and higher-end restaurants. I also love how a lot of places focus on creating an experience, offering live music, seasonal events, and themed nights.

Do you ever get recognized? What’s that like if you do?

At first, we preferred staying anonymous and didn’t think it was necessary to be in the posts and videos. But as the account grew, especially among UD students, it became harder to hide our little secret, especially from our close friends. Towards the end of sophomore year, students would come up to us if they saw us filming and ask if we were Newark Foodies. It was never anything crazy, but it was always fun seeing classmates’ reactions. We still don’t think a ton of people know who we are, especially underclassmen.

What’s the funniest moment you’ve had while filming?

There isn’t one specific moment, but there have been several times where all six of us go in, order way more food than planned, thinking we’ll only take a few bites each, when we really end up finishing everything. There have also been times when only a couple of us go in planning to bring back food for the rest … and somehow it never makes it home.

What’s the best eatery you’ve featured?

This is such a hard question because everything we have tried has been great. If we had to choose one, it would be The Greenhouse Gastropub on Main Street. After our first visit, we brought friends and family back immediately. The food is consistently flavorful, and the staff is always so welcoming. They have a really unique and fun atmosphere, especially the upstairs bar. Every meal we’ve tried is truly out of this world and we think they deserve more recognition.

Without naming names, is there one that was particularly bad or an experience that went poorly? What happened?

Honestly, no. We’ve had zero bad experiences. Everyone we’ve worked with has been incredibly kind and generous and the entire experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Best dish you’ve tried in one of your videos?

This one’s tough, but we’d have to say the cheesesteaks, especially the beef and buffalo chicken cheesecakes, from Balboa Steaks. It’s genuinely comparable to some of the best Philly cheesesteaks. We’d also have to say Santa Fe’s nachos, easily some of the best we’ve had in Delaware.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried?

We haven’t tried anything too unusual, but the steamed BBQ pork buns from Ugly Dumpling stand out since none of us had tried anything like that before. Running this account has definitely made us more adventurous with food.

What are your top three restaurants or eateries in Delaware, whether you’ve featured them or not?

Our top three would be The Greenhouse Gastropub, Klondike Kate’s, and UD students’ go-to Sunday morning spot, The Hot Original Bagels.

Is there a Delaware restaurant or eatery that’s not well-known that should get some recognition and why?

We don’t think enough people know about Cafeneo in Newark. They have delicious Greek food, seasonal coffee drinks, and a beautiful interior that is completely different from anywhere else in the area. It’s such a unique spot that deserves more attention.

What’s really surprised you about being a food influencer?

How open and excited restaurants are to collaborate, especially since our audience isn’t that big. We thought reaching out might be difficult, but owners have been just as eager to work with us as we are to work with them. They’ve made the entire process easy and genuinely fun.

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Is there a cuisine Delaware doesn’t have much of that you’d love to see come here?

Honestly, Delaware offers most of the cuisines we love. There are great options for Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Mediterranean and American food. I think Delaware does a really good job offering solid staples for each cuisine.

Is there a food trend you are so over?

Overpriced food with very small portions. We haven’t featured any places like that, but I’ve definitely been to restaurants in Delaware where that’s been the case. And in my opinion, it’s not worth it.

And finally, do you have any advice for anyone hoping to become a food influencer on Instagram?

Our biggest advice is to stay consistent and not be afraid to reach out to restaurants. The worst thing they can say is no. It can feel silly and awkward filming at first, but it’s worth it. Most importantly, have fun with it, get creative and be open to what business owners want to showcase. We’re just six college girls with zero background in marketing or influencing, so if we can do it, anyone can.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).

Source link

Click to comment

Delaware

Delaware history in News Journal March 1-7: Fire rescue, power rate jump

Published

8 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Delaware history in News Journal March 1-7: Fire rescue, power rate jump

Delaware history from The News Journal archives March 1-7 includes woman, baby and dog rescued from burning a home in 1926.
Prisoners sue state over conditions at Sussex Correctional Institution in 1976.
Jump in electric rates in 2006 sparks talks of reregulating the industry.

“Pages of history” features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at delawareonline.com.

March 1, 2006, The News Journal

Under plan, 59% electric rate hike to be phased in

Delmarva Power has proposed phasing in electricity rate increases to reduce the shock of a 59% price hike for residents scheduled to begin May 1.

If the proposal is approved by the state, the typical residential bill would go up slightly less than $18 a month on May 1. Then on Jan. 1, the typical bill would go up again by the same amount. On May 1, 2007, a last increase of $34 would be added, assuming no other change in the market price for electricity. …

Delmarva Power officials unveiled the proposal Tuesday as part of a response to an executive order issued last month by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. She asked state agencies to study possible responses to the rate hike, including the option of reregulating the industry.

In 1999, state lawmakers removed controls on the price of wholesale electricity, reshaping the power market in the state. As part of the change, electricity rates were lowered by 7.5% until 2003.

Delmarva Power says the coming 59% increase is mainly caused by price hikes in the cost of the fuels that generate electricity, such as natural gas and coal.

Under deregulation, Delmarva must buy about one-third of its total power needs on the wholesale market every year. If the wholesale market is lower next year, customers could save some money. If the wholesale market is up, then rates could go even higher than they are currently expected to go….

Deregulation was expected to reduce electricity prices by bringing competition to the electric market, but only the largest power customers in the state are able to shop for power. Residents do not have a choice about who supplies their electricity.

Some lawmakers are calling for the state to reregulate the industry….

Reregulating part or all of the electricity market is unlikely to have any impact on the 59% rises in bills, experts say, but could prevent dramatic price spikes in the future….

March 3, 1976, The Morning News page

Sussex prison dilemma prompts judicial warning

If the General Assembly doesn’t do something soon about the crumbling Sussex Correctional Institution, he will, a federal judge strongly hinted yesterday.

Judge Murray M. Schwartz said he frankly hopes lawmakers will come up with the extra $1.6 million needed for a thorough overhaul of the Georgetown prison this month.

If they do, he said, it probably will “wash out” the inmates’ suit to close the prison. Schwartz is hearing the suit now, but isn’t expected to make a ruling for several months.

Should he find that the “legislature has abdicated its responsibilities [to the prison],” Schwartz warned, “then that has opened up a hole the federal court will have to fill.”

The state earmarked $2 million from a bond issue for Sussex prison renovation, but the base construction bid opened in January was $2.8 million. With alternate improvements officials want, the cost would rise to $3.4 million.

Acting Correction Commissioner Paul Keve, a defendant in the inmates’ suit, said it “looks very hopeful” that $1.6 million originally appropriated for another prison project will be reallocated to the Sussex work….

Several times yesterday, Schwartz expressed puzzlement over the state’s defense to the suit which seemed to be, “Yes, Sussex is bad, but we’re going to improve it,” the judge remarked.

The improvements are part of the defense, replied Deputy Atty. Gen. John Willard. But he said he would also contend the prison’s deficiencies aren’t an unconstitutional denial of due process or cruel and unusual punishment, as the inmates claim.

The prison’s 45-year-old main building “defeats efforts to improve it in a superficial way,” Keve said, and demands instead a “drastic, complete, comprehensive” renovation.

He said a new kitchen is most urgently needed, but the plans also call for complete replacement of the plumbing, electrical and heating systems, construction of a gymnasium, medical-dental suite and space for classrooms and group discussions.

Prisoners have complained of a lack of rehabilitation programs….

March 6, 1926, The Evening Journal

Woman, baby, dog rescued from burning home

Mary Anderson … and a year-old baby were carried from the burning house at 4 W. 12th St. in Wilmington this morning. …

The fire, which originated in the chimney of the house, caused a spectacular blaze that destroyed the roof and damaged the interior of the dwelling, and drew a large crowd.

Trolley traffic on Market Street was tied up for 20 minutes or more. Long lines of cars from the Boulevard, Washington, Shellpot and Darby lines blocked both tracks for two squares or more, owing to the lines of fire hose that were stretched across Market Street.

The fire was first discovered by Mrs. Anderson who was in the house with the year-old baby of Margaret Thomas who was at work. Smelling smoke, Mrs. Anderson went to the second floor and seeing a flame around the stove pipe hole in the chimney, threw water on it. Thinking she had extinguished the fire, she started downstairs.

In the meantime, the blaze broke out around the edge of the roof and the smoke was seen by John Wright and Stanley Pletuszka, who were in the office of the Pittsburg Independent Oil Company at 12th and Market streets.

Wright ran to the fire alarm box at 13th and King streets and turned in an alarm to which Engine Companies 1,7 and 10 and Truck Company 1 responded.

Pletuszka ran to the house where he was joined by Lloyd Smith of West 13th Street. Finding the door fastened and knowing that Mrs. Anderson and the baby were in the house, they broke down the door.

They met Mrs. Anderson coming downstairs and when an attempt was made to get her to leave, she refused, insisting that the fire was out. The rescuers had to carry the woman from the burning building, then returning they found the baby in the lower part of the house and carried it to the home of a neighbor where the baby and the woman were cared for.

Herbert Johnson, son of Mrs. Anderson of Orange Street, hearing that his mother’s home was on fire, hurried there and with other men saved practically all of the furniture in the house. A small dog, owned by Mrs. Anderson, was rescued by Johnson, but a larger dog defied the efforts of other men to take it from the house. …

The firemen prevented the spread of the fire by deluging the building with water, the chemical streams first used being found insufficient to check the fire. …

The loss is estimated at $800.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.

Source link

Delaware

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

Published

21 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Elon Musk-inspired overhaul of state law that governs most major US corporations, handing a win to company founders, insiders and private equity owners who sought less restrictive business rules.

Source link