He might have a sweet tooth, but Mattlan Ladner won’t sugarcoat things if the food at your restaurant isn’t up to par.
Ladner, a native of Hancock County and local wedding videographer, is the mastermind behind Big Ea[t]sy, an Instagram account that reviews new, popular and iconic New Orleans restaurants.
He decided to create the account after he moved to the Big Easy at the beginning of 2022. And while he hasn’t been making videos for long, he’s got years of food reviewing experience.
The self-described foodie has been reviewing restaurants on Google Reviews for the past two years. His photos on the reviews have accumulated over 20 million views.
“I love watching cooking videos as well as videos of people trying and eating different foods,” Ladner, 26, said. “When I moved to New Orleans, a city with some of the best food, I thought it would be a perfect time start.”
A love for food sparked in Hancock County
Ladner’s love for food began in his family kitchen. He learned a lot from his older brothers, who both loved to cook. And the matriarchs also had recipes that cannot be matched.
“Gumbo is truly subjective because I think my Mom has the best,” he wrote. “Also, my Mom has the best pecan pie so it’s no wonder these desserts fell flat and unmemorable.”
When he was a child, Ladner said he remembers going out to eat as being a treat.
“Growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast meant I grew up with great options for Southern classics and seafood, but I also really love exploring new foods and cultures,” he said. “The Coast has some amazing options for Vietnamese, Thai and Mexican foods.”
Hancock County native and wedding videographer Mattlan Ladner is the food reviewer and producer behind Big Eatsy, an Instagram account that gives honest reviews of New Orleans restaurants. Courtesy Mattlan Ladner/Kaylee Vaughan Photography
How Big Ea[t]sy food reviews work
Ladner and his closest friends and roommates pick restaurants to try across the city. From ramen to Korean barbecue to the trendy Banh Mi Boys and beyond, they try a plethora of menu items together and Ladner makes the final review and cuts the videos as Instagram reels.
Even though he didn’t like the gumbo at Commander’s Palace, the fish dish and service brought the restaurant’s overall score up to seven out of 10.
“I promised to keep my food reviews honest from the beginning,” Ladner said, adding that he rates a place based on food, restaurant aesthetic and service.
“I understand that food is subjective and opinions are my own, but if I had a bad experience I will let my audience know,” he said.
“I did the tasting menu and had a beautiful dining experience there. So much so that I believe, if the rumors are true about the Michelin Guide coming to New Orleans, they deserve a star.”
Ladner also featured a few Mississippi Coast spots on Big Ea[t]sy, including Coast Roast coffee in Gulfport and the Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis.
“I have yet to find better pad Thai and pho,” he said. “They have amazing curry, too. Everything is so fresh. It’s honestly the one restaurant I have not been able to stop thinking about since moving.”
What restaurant is next on the list?
Big Ea[t]sy was born Aug. 11, and Ladner’s Instagram Reels are already racking up thousands of views. Ladner hopes the engagement keeps growing.
Justin Mitchell is the Sun Herald senior news editor and works on McClatchy’s audience engagement and development team. He also reports on LGBTQ issues in the Deep South, particularly focusing on Mississippi.
