Student Spotlight: Jacob Fallon – Creator of Fallon Food Reviews

What started as a joke between two friends has turned into something much bigger for Kansas Wesleyan student athlete Jacob Fallon.

Jacob Fallon is the creator of Fallon Food Reviews, a social media personality across Instagram and TikTok where he goes around Salina trying different restaurants and giving his opinion on the food. The reviews focus on things like taste, price and overall quality, while also giving people an idea of different places they can eat around town.

However Fallon has much more going on than just reviewing food.

“Outside of Fallon Food Reviews, I’m a broadcaster, baseball player, and I overall just try to be involved in the community,” Fallon said. Fallon Food Reviews was never something he originally planned on turning into a serious page. The whole idea actually started as a joke between him and his friend Russell Balcer. “Fallon Food Reviews started as a joke with one of my friends Russell Balcer,” said Fallon. “I said to him one day about starting a food review channel and when I did my first video people wanted more.”

His first review was nothing like the videos he makes now. Fallon said that when he started, he really did not know what he was doing or what the page could eventually turn into.

“My first review was very basic, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Fallon said. “Over time I used to edit them more and really make them engaging. Shoutout Paul Green for showing me the ropes on how to edit.” Since then, Fallon has continued to improve the videos and make them more entertaining. Even as the quality of the reviews has changed, he still tries to make sure his actual opinions stay authentic.

Most of the time, deciding where to go depends on what he is craving or who he is going to eat with. For example, Fallon recently reviewed 805 Tacos with one of his teammates Matt Ramirez, who is from the 805 out in California. Once Jacob gets his food, there are a few main things he pays attention to.

“I try to look for taste, price and overall quality.” 

Price is one of the biggest parts of his reviews because his main audience includes other college students. Fallon knows that most students do not want to spend a ton of money just to get something good to eat. “As a college student we don’t have much money to work with and if I am able to help somebody decide what they want for dinner because it’s affordable and good I’m all for it,” Fallon said.

Making each review also takes more time than someone watching the finished video might think. Fallon first has to choose where to go, which has become harder after reviewing so many restaurants around Salina. He then decides who he wants to bring with him and what they can add to the video.

After they get their food and eat, they record the review. Fallon then has to go back and edit everything before posting it. “The process is long but I always have a fun time doing it,” Fallon said.

Through the reviews, Fallon has also had some experiences he never expected when he started the page. One of his most memorable moments was getting a free dessert at Don Toro’s Kitchen. He has also had people recognize him in public because of Fallon Food Reviews.

Although he enjoys making the videos, staying consistent has not always been easy. “Consistency, trying to come out with a review every week while balancing school, work, baseball, and other things can be challenging,” Fallon said. With so much going on, finding time for a review every week can be difficult. Still, Fallon continues to make them because of how much he enjoys the process and the response he gets from people who watch.

The reviews have also helped Fallon personally. Even though he regularly appears on camera, he said being social has not always come naturally to him. “I think it has brought me out of my shell,” Fallon said. “I’m not a social person in the slightest, but with these reviews it has 100% opened me up.”

What started as a joke has now given Fallon a way to connect with people around Salina while also gaining experience creating and editing content. Fallon does not know exactly where the page will take him, but he has bigger goals for it in the future. “Well I hope I can make it my job, maybe get involved with Barstool,” Fallon said. “But ultimately I’m gonna keep making these reviews and see where it takes me.”

For now, Fallon plans to keep eating, reviewing and posting. What began as a simple idea between friends has become something that has helped him connect with the community, improve his skills and come out of his shell.