Matt Tucker Went Viral Reviewing Kannapolis Food | Matt Eats 704 | EP 64

Matt Tucker (Matt Eats 704) went from struggling realtor to viral local food reviewer — and it all started in Cabarrus County.

In Episode 64 of K-Town Connection, the Rough Talk Cousins sit down with Kannapolis-area native Matt Tucker inside historic Dayvault’s Garage. Matt shares how a simple idea to promote his real estate business turned into honest restaurant reviews that blew up on Facebook (including a HAPS video that hit 500,000 views).

We talk about:
• How Matt Eats 704 took off
• Why authenticity beats polished content
• Balancing family, real estate, and creating content
• The best (and most nostalgic) spots across Kannapolis, Concord, Salisbury & Cabarrus County
• Growing up here, leaving for ministry, and coming back home

If you love local food, supporting Cabarrus restaurants, or just hearing a real K-Town story, this one’s for you.

📍 Filmed at: Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage – Kannapolis, NC
🎙️ Hosted by: Chris Hughes, Ryan Dayvault & Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin

Chapters:
0:00 – Hilbish Ford
0:36 – Cold Open & Spring Banter
2:21 – Meet Matt Tucker
3:45 – From Real Estate to Food Reviews
5:16 – Growing Up Local (Cox Mill & Northwest)
8:00 – The HAPS Video That Went Viral (500K Views)
9:50 – Honesty, Comments & Authenticity
13:20 – Supporting Local Restaurants
19:20 – How He Picks Spots & Orders
23:20 – Nostalgia Spots (Brian’s, Haps & More)
28:00 – Why Kannapolis Still Feels Like Home
30:10 – KP Breakfast Barn (Old McCabe’s) & Closing Advice
32:45 – Where to Follow Matt Eats 704
33:56 – Carolina Pickleball Club
34:22 – Closing + Outro

👉 Follow Matt:
Facebook: Matt Tucker
TikTok: @matteats704[](https://www.tiktok.com/@matteats704)
YouTube: MattEats704

👉 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss another K-Town story. Tell a friend who loves local food or Kannapolis history.

#KTownConnection #Kannapolis #CabarrusCounty #MattEats704 #LocalFood

Check Also

Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town. As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades. Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click. Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed. This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it. 📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com 📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina 🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Local Updates 5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75 5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell 7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills 14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits 17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings 19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs 25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill 27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting 37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos 38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign 39:49 – Baseball Photography Years 43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork 46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign 53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills 56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father 59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

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