Troy is a Bay Area native, and to say he’s passionate about food may be an understatement. Having worked in the industry for over a decade, he knows his way around the Bay Area food scene and highlights some of his favorite restaurants on his Instagram @destroyeats. Here is our conversation with Troy about how he got started and some of his favorite meals in the Bay.
Photo Courtesy of @destroyeats
When did you become a foodie?
I’ve been a foodie all my life, but my Instagram (@destroyeats), started a couple of years before the pandemic.
What or who inspired you to create an instagram account based on food?
My personal Instagram turned into my foodie Instagram as I just started posting pictures of the restaurants I was going to in the Bay Area. From San Francisco, the South Bay, and Marin. I do a lot in Marin because I want to shine a spotlight on Marin restaurants, not a lot of people promote restaurants in Marin. Especially during the pandemic, I was very active because that was when the restaurants really needed it. Most of these places are just known through word of mouth and social media.
Are you more excited about how food tastes or presentation?
How food tastes. Presentation is everything, and people eat food with their eyes first, people say the “phone eats first,” but what’s really important is the nitty gritty. Knowing food and having been in the industry for about 12 years, ingredients do matter. Many of the restaurants here in Marin County source their food from local farmer’s markets, and that’s great. Restaurants that use the best ingredients stand out.
Most memorable photoshoot?
There are a lot of photoshoots that have felt memorable, it really depends on the food. In particular, I really loved this restaurant in Daly City called Supreme Pot. It’s a hot pot restaurant and they have tons of premium meats and seafood. They had the most memorable spread with all of their meats on one table, the quality you could see in the photos. The pictures turned out beautiful.
Do you cook? Are you a good cook?
I cook sometimes, and I’m not the best cook. When I do, it’s homemade Filipino food just like how my parents and my grandma used to make it. I grew up watching them make this great food, so it’s comfort food for me. My grandma also had a farm in the back of her home in Vallejo where she grew her own vegetables. Our meals were straight from the garden to the table. Squash was always in season in her backyard. While I’m cooking those times are always in the back of my mind. It brings me back to those great times with my grandma and parents.
Top tips for people looking to take the best food pic?
Always always get natural lighting. Try to sit by a window. Even with shadows, the best food pics come from natural lighting. Also, a good camera makes the difference. If you have a good camera on your phone, you can use that, or if you have a mirrorless or DSLR camera those are the best. Even if you are just uploading to Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, you can see the quality. People can tell the difference.
Just for fun, where's your favorite sushi, pizza, burger, noods, and cocktail in the Bay?
Sushi
Sushi is going to be one of my clients that I post for. Kibatsu in San Francisco. It’s on Haight St and it’s the best omakase in SF.
Pizza
There are so many good ones. I would have to say Picco in Larkspur is one of my favorites. In San Francisco, it’s probably Tony’s New York Pizza.
Burger
For fast food, Super Duper is one of my favorites. It’s my go-to, especially the one here in Marin because it has a drive-thru. If you’re trying to get a burger from a restaurant, I would say Restoration Hardware’s burger with the pork belly on top. I dream about it.
Noods
Lately, I’ve been going to that new Vietnamese restaurant in San Rafael called Pho. It’s over by the home consignment shop in the Canal. Their noodles are hand-pulled. You can get it in a vermicelli bowl or in my favorite chicken Pho.
Cocktail
California Gold in San Rafael. If you want two cocktails and you’re done, get the zombie. It’ll turn you into a zombie.
