Dining Under the Influence
@Meg
things_
Meghan Longo, Influencer & Digital Content Creator .
BY TARA JEAN MCDONALD BONANNO
Meghan Longo is a content creator based out of New Jersey. She has coined the series ‘Meg Things’ on Instagram and TikTok, garnering a highly engaged following by sharing her favorite things, places and food! Meg shares her daily life and favorite things on TikTok and Instagram. She is very passionate about sharing restaurants and small businesses on social media so they can get the attention they deserve.
Meg, how did you begin your career as an influencer as Meg Things?
I have always been the type of person that plans where to eat, what to do, and I absolutely love finding new places to try. So, one day in February 2022 I started to post on TikTok and share my favorite NJ restaurants. The video went viral and the rest is history! Since then, I’ve been building my community on TikTok and Instagram. I could have never imagined things would take off for me like they have but I am so very grateful. I love connecting with my followers, it’s the best part about this.
What are some of your favorite places Meg?
I am a big traveler. Some of my favorite destinations in New Jersey are Spring Lake, Cape May and LBI. I love the Jersey Shore and think it’s the best part of New Jersey. Some other amazing places I’ve been that I loved were South Africa and Japan. Such incredible countries with amazing food!
What makes a great restaurant?
The food of course has to be next level – but it’s also so much more. The service, the small details, the ambiance and decor. It has to be the perfect storm of all of these things to make it outstanding.
What is important to you in a meal?
The best things I’ve eaten are made by chefs that have passion. The restaurants that stand out in my mind have a chef and a team that dedicate their life to the art of cooking. It’s what makes a meal important and memorable.
Follow Meghan Longo & Meg Things: @megthings_ on Instagram & meglongo on TikTok
Favorite places in these categories:
Steakhouse:
Butcher’s Block in Long Branch {235 West Ave, Long Branch; thebutchersblocknj.com}
Gabriella’s in Red Bank {447 NJ-35, Red Bank; 732.456.6699; gabriellasnj.com}
Italian:
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright {1070 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright; 732.842.2800; anjelicas.com}
Il Nido in Marlboro {184 Route 9 North, Marlboro; 732.851.6347; ilnidonj.com}
BBQ:
Mutiny in Asbury Park {805 5th Ave, Asbury Park; 732.366.9985; mutinybbq.com}
Local Smoke in Neptune City, Red Bank, Sea Girt {719 Route 35, Neptune City; 732.455.8888; 244 West Front St, Red Bank; 732.741.2333; 2100 Route 35, #9, Sea Girt; 732.359.3270; localsmokebbq.com}
Mexican:
Juanito’s in Red Bank {150 Monmouth St, Red Bank; 732.747.9062; www.juanitosredbank.com}
Barrio Costero in Asbury Park {610 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park; 732.455.5544; barriocostero.com}
Asian:
Yumi in Red Bank {9 Broad St, Red Bank; 732.842.8868; yumirestaurant.com}
Taka in Asbury Park {660 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park; 732.775.1020; takaasbury.com}
Xina in Toms River {3430 Route 37E, Toms River; 732.279.6327; xinarestaurant.com}
Seafood:
2nd Jetty in Sea Bright {140 Ocean Ave N, Sea Bright; 732.224.8700; 2ndjetty.com}
Rooney’s in Long Branch {100 Ocean Ave North, Long Branch; 732.870.1200; rooneysocean.com}
BYOB:
Semolina in Red Bank {13 White St, Red Bank; 732.945.6816; semolinarestaurant.com}
Catherine’s in Point Pleasant {1001 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant; 732.701.1001; catherinesfarmtotable.com}
Poached Pear in Point Pleasant Beach {816 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant; 732.701.1700; poachedpearbistro.com}
Favorite Fine Dining Place:
Pascal & Sabine in Asbury Park {601 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park; 732.774.3395; pascalandsabine.com}
Favorite Dive Place:
Barnacle Bills in Rumson {1 First St, Rumson; 732.747.8396; barnaclebillsrumson.com}
Pour House in Tinton Falls {640 Shrewsbury Ave, Tinton Falls; 732.842.4337; pourhouserestaurant.com}
What are some cuisines you have not yet tried, but would like to?
Korean!
Follow Meg on all her social media handles. Instagram: @megthings_ TikTok: meglongo