Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Lately.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from San Antonio, I moved to Austin in 2009 to attend school at UT Austin and then started my blog in 2010 while a student because I needed a creative outlet. My blog was an excuse to get out and explore the city of Austin! In 2016 I created my side project, 512Bites, where the focus was more on the local food scene here in Austin. I’m grateful I’ve kept up with this venture for over a decade because it brings me so much joy when people tell me they tried a recommendation because of my account. I want other people to get the most out of the city and see why I love it so much!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My success was not overnight, that’s for sure. I blogged and created content for about 5 years before more people finally started to take notice. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, all content came to a halt for a while since everyone was on lockdown and businesses were struggling, but once take-out became an option, I opted to help local restaurants by giving them free promotions about their specials whenever I could.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
People either know me for my Austin food recs through 512Bites, or they know me through my TikTok account, where I tease about Austin culture and the dating life here. I think what sets me apart is I’m not afraid to be my normal goofy self on camera or poke fun at local Austin cliches; plus, I don’t shy away from giving my honest opinion about something.
What makes you happy?
People trying a new restaurant or food truck based on my suggestion and telling me they loved it. It makes me feel like I helped multiple groups at once (the restaurants and the customers) and makes me feel closer to my Austin community because I had a small influence within it.
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