Meet Anthony Vo | Patient Care Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Vo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what inspires you?
The past year was an eye-opening time in my life. Due to the pandemic, there was a drastic decline in health, our economy, and our social well-being. Aside from my afflictions that came about as a result of COVID-19, local businesses were also suffering tremendously, in terms of losing workers and profits. During the lockdown, people had the comfort of social media to keep them abreast of all the happenings around them as well as keep them entertained. It was a time of reflection for me as I got reconnected with my Vietnamese roots. My interest in my cultural history got me thinking about the rich food culture in my area. Wanting to bring awareness to the small restaurant business suffering around me, I decided to create a TikTok account. My goal was to bring awareness of issues facing them and help connect people in my community to the diverse foods, cultures, and communities ingrained in their cuisine.

I think it’s important to bring awareness to important issues, and support efforts that better our area. My followers engage with my content and rave about the places I review. Throughout this process, I have learned to be humble and open minded. I also learned that the food culture in Atlanta is diverse, welcoming, and ready to grace all pallets willing to give it a try.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, but my family is from a little-known city in Vietnam called Binh Gia. I was raised by conservative parents who taught me the traditional way of living according to their Vietnamese roots. While I observed most parents growing up excited for their kids to achieve their goals and dreams, that is not my reality. My parents were not excited about me choosing a nontraditional way of living. To them, a life that doesn’t include a 9-5, kids, or being a family man is a complete waste of time in our culture. Instead of letting their disappointment get me down, it forced me to believe in myself and find something to be passionate about pursuing. I do not have to follow rules set by others. I want to make a path of my choosing that has made me happy and successful today. In terms of what sets me apart from others, I am using my platform to raise the voices of restaurants in my community and beyond. I am helping bring awareness to different cultures, especially those with Asian influence, and highlighting what makes them and me unique.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Traveling to Atlanta is a real adventure. Atlanta is known for their bipolar weather and a wide array of activities you can immerse yourself in. There are so many things to do and good places to eat and visit, which is what my content is all about. If my friend were coming to visit, I’d have them start each day by heading to Café Comma for a Caramel crème. After, I would encourage them to take a stroll at the Halcyon in Alpharetta. The Halcyon has a lot of entertainment venues and shopping. After leisure activities, I recommend a stop at Postino Wine Café for brunch. They have amazing drinks and an awesome bruschetta board. It is very fresh, vibrant, and savory. If my friend wants to get in some exercise, I recommend a hike with spectacular scenic views at Mount Yonah or Bell Mountain. After working up an appetite, I’d point them in the direction of Com GA Houstons in Duluth for authentic Vietnamese cuisine that reminds me of my mom’s cooking. I highly recommend the Chicken Congee with cabbage and a side of banana flower salad. For Dinner, I would recommend China Hot Pot in Doraville for the most authentic hotpot. Their broths are rich and flavorful, and It is all-you-can-eat premium meats and vegetables. For dessert,  One Zo offers my favorite made-from-scratch tapioca pearl bubble tea. If dessert isn’t much of a nightcap, I’d tell them to end the night with a glass of wine. The coziest place to wine, dine, and unwind is Storico Vino. They have amazing wines and cocktails and the perfect atmosphere for a special outing. Atlanta has a lot to offer. There are many things to do, good places to eat and visits. You can check them out on my TikTok and Instagram for more

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many talented creators that I’ve come across on this journey. I learned a lot from those who have been in the game for years. I want to shout out @ChewFoodNow. This person helped me explore new opportunities and taught me to be very consistent and showing me her ways. I am thankful for her because the efforts, the supports and patience that she provided for me to be successful in my contents. Without the supports of my friends and family, I wouldn’t have taken a chance and made this a hobby. I am very thankful for my friends and family that encouraged me to continue to create into a masterpiece and inspires others.

Instagram: Atlanta_Kravings

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2319749154856243/?ref

Other: TikTok: @Atlanta_Kravings

Image Credits
(Atlanta Kravings)