Katie Johnston is the director of Pulptown, a hyperlocal newsletter and podcast covering everything sweet and juicy in Orlando. She moved to Orlando after graduating from the University of Alabama in 2006 for a change of scenery and hasn't been able to leave since. She enjoys long walks with her pup, the casual over-consumption of wine, and the fact that dining al fresco is a year-round possibility here.
Editor's note: Befitting a woman who lives life in a higher gear than most of us, Katie's picks are crisp, concise and social media-centric for speed of connection. Handles are Instagram unless otherwise noted.
• Best IG reels to not take seriously: @qreatecoffee
• Best local TikToker: John Morgan, Esq., aka @forthepeople
• Best chicken sandwich: @winterparkbiscuitco (and it's vegan!)
• Best big ticket: @theforeignerexperience or @sosekifl
• Best outdoor event: Frontyard Festival at @drphillipsctr
• Best community collaboration: health care workers + vaccinated Orlandoans
• Best 911 response: sending mental health professionals instead of police for some calls
• Best remix: Sloane, daughter of @orlpride's Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger (work/life partner goals!)
• Best home to quarantine in: @orlandoplantlady's gorgeous pad
• Best girl gang: Dorsa Vaziri's @wowrolling
• Best inspiration to get out more: @thegreatoutdorks
• Best small piece of good news you've heard all year: the return of the Lime bikes
• Best shitshow: Poozeum exhibit at @orlandosciencecenter (it's a literal shitshow!)
• Best friend to lean on this year: your mental health counselor/therapist friends
• Best sorta-outdoor activity for cooped-up kids: @wildfloridairboats' drive-through safari
• Best breadwinners: @nomadbakehousefl
Best pop-up to satiate your hunger while impressing the 'gram: @smokemademeats
• Best tease: @perlaspizza (RIP ... for now?)
• Best meme: Bernie and his mittens all over Orlando (especially in @pulptown's Jan. 21 Instagram post, if I may say so myself)
• Best art exhibit: @jefre_artist's Points of Connection at @orlandomuseumofart
• Best disguise: masking at @publix ... no one will ever know it's you
• Best surprise: @orlandomagic making a splash in the draft
• Best use of an empty storefront: The Milk District Spot, @themilkdistrict's small business incubator program
• Best community mixer: @cffound's Table Talk (returning October 2021)
• Best Instagram series: @yelporlando's #meettheowner
• Best dynamic duo: Alex Marin and Joey Conicella of @eathungrypants
• Best way to feel rich while reminding yourself you're really not: resort passes
• Best couple: coming soon, @grilledcheezusorlando and @phatashbakes on Mills
• Best exhibit of caring about community: Jason Lambert and staff's commitment to COVID protocols at @thehammeredlamb
• Best content when you can't take much more sad news: @liberationcathouse's steady stream of adoptable cuties
• Best glow-up: @thecitybeautiful (someone got a social media person and it shows)
• Best way to support local farmers: CSA boxes. My favorites: @everoakfarms and @infinitezionfarms
• Best highbrow way to relax: Re:Charge by @timucuaarts and @creativecityproject