Greshka P has been a pillar of the Yelp community for the past nine years. When Broward-Palm Beach officially launched four years ago after separating from Yelp Miami, she was already a Gold Elite and beloved veteran. At BPB’s first Elite event, she was honored as co-queen at the homecoming themed shindig, and has worn the crown well since.
She’s known for her UYEs (winning the UYE Yelpie the last two years), won a few gold medals at the Yelp Games, and was awarded the coveted Yelptime Achievement Award in 2015.
We sat down with Greshka to chat more about her royal Yelp history!
Why did you start yelping?
I had just finished college in Puerto Rico where I was born, raised, and had all my friends and family. I was moving to Florida without knowing anyone. I was shy and not excited about moving there. My cousin was planning to move back to Florida and told me about Yelp. As soon as she moved back, she took me with her to the events in Miami and everyone was so welcoming! I found new friends and it made being new so much better.
What does it mean to be Yelp Elite to you?
Being Elite means being active in the community, contributing with reviews, adding photos, welcoming new members, showing them the ropes, and helping them feel comfortable at the events. Hopefully you can help them get to Elite as well.
It’s also a way of life. When you’re Elite, Yelp is part of you. You talk about it all the time and even sometimes get a little obsessed with finding new places to review!
What do you love about hosting UYEs?
Being with friends and meeting new ones. It’s a more casual environment and at a smaller scale than an official Yelp event, so people get to talk and know each other better. Plus, we get to try “new” places together and share our photos and reviews.
How has the Yelp Broward-Palm Beach community changed the last four years?
Obviously it has grown, but I still feel the same welcoming and happy environment I’ve felt from the beginning. Regardless of age, county, or interests, whenever we get together, you can tell we are all happy to see each other and to see new people joining in the fun.
So yes, it’s gotten bigger, but still has the same big heart.
What keeps you writing reviews?
I think it helps others when they are making decisions on where to eat, drink, stay on vacations, etc. Also, I love recognizing great service and food when the experience is a good one. Finally, it’s kind of a mini-blog. It helps you remember your experience. If you would go back, what to have again, or what to try next.
What are the top three restaurants in Broward-Palm Beach you recommend?
La Cosinita Latina: I have to start with Puerto Rican food. This is the best I’ve had so far and when I’m craving food from home, this is my savior (unless my grandmother is visiting).
The Cook & The Cork: Quaint, friendly service, and amazing food.
Tavolino Della Notte: Great for everything! Happy hour, live music, light bites, dinner with friends or family, and perfect for a date night. Excellent service and the best pear ravioli!
What’s been your favorite Elite Event to date?
Yelp BPB’s Homecoming still holds a special place in my heart! It was our first Elite Event as a community. Small compared to our events now, but everyone was so excited. We had to wear our “school colors” and having to wear red is one of the reasons why I’ll never forget this event (I never did at the time). Also because this super shy girl got called up front to be crowned (in front of EVERYONE) as homecoming queen. I didn’t even have homecoming in school!
Not only was I the first one to get Yelp socks which was a pretty big deal, but it also gave way for people in the community to know me better, introduced me to the new Yelpers, and helped me feel less shy in the process. Now, I’m the one helping those “shy ones” come out of their shells and love the events and community as much as I do.
What are some of your favorite Yelp memories?
Of course, I have to say being chosen for the Yelptime Achievement Award at the 2015 BPB Yelpies. The words from our community manager and Yelpers still fill my heart.
Every Halloween party and costume party. I love dressing up so these are always SO much fun for me. I love seeing how creative our community is.
Yelp Spring Break Fort Lauderdale. It gave me the opportunity to make friends from different states that I now look forward to seeing every year at the other YSBs.
But most of all, the best memories are the ones I get to share with all the AMAZING friends I’ve made thanks to Yelp.
About the Yelp Elite Squad: The Yelp Elite Squad is our way of recognizing people who are active in the Yelp community – people who are role models both on and off the site. Elite-worthiness is based on a number of things, including well-written reviews, high quality tips, a detailed personal profile, an active voting and complimenting record, and a history of playing well with others. Elites must use their real name on their account, have a real (and clear!) profile photo, and be of legal drinking age in their country. You can read more, and even nominate yourself at yelp.com/elite
