I watched my favorite taco truck disappear.
Three years ago, there was a taco truck on 5th and Main run by a guy named Marco. Best al pastor I'd ever had. Authentic. Affordable. Made with love.
One day, Marco moved to a new spot because of parking enforcement. No big deal, right? Except he had no email list. No loyal following on social media. Just a chalkboard sign and a prayer.
I walked by his old spot for weeks wondering where he went. I checked Instagram. Nothing. I asked around. Nobody knew.
Six months later, I found out Marco closed down. Not because his food got worse. Not because he gave up. Because his customers couldn't find him.
That night, I stood in my kitchen furious. Marco wasn't the only one. I'd seen it over and over — amazing food vendors going under because discovery is broken.
That was the epiphany. Not a better Instagram strategy. Not another delivery app that takes 30%. A simple, beautiful map where vendors show up live and hungry people nearby can find them instantly.
I called it Steats.
Today, vendors on Steats show up on a real-time map, share their full menu, collect reviews, and build social proof that brings customers back. No algorithm games. No dancing on video. Just show up, get found.