Our story

Why I built Truliate

I'm Vinay, and I live for finding the next great meal in Chicago and the suburbs. For years, I used to hunt through Google Maps, trying random restaurants to find my favorite spots. Lately it's been food influencers — people whose taste I trusted.

But lately, something changed. About half the time now, I get burned trying the same food as the influencers. The food is mid, the praise is glowing, and nobody's being critical anymore. I got burned, more times than I can count — by restaurants influencers I trusted swore by. The food was bad. I was angry.

Doctors get rated. Restaurants get rated. But the people whose recommendations send thousands of us out to spend our money and our Friday nights? Nobody rates them.

So I built Truliate. Real people rate influencer recommendations, 1 to 5 stars. No essays, no hate campaigns — just the crowd's verdict on whether the pick was worth it.

I'm starting right here in Chicago, with the food scene I know and love. If you've ever been burned by a hyped-up spot, this is for you. Check the score before you go. Leave your stars after.

— Vinay, founder