‘Meals by Cug’s’ advice for success: ‘Do what you love’

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — He might’ve come to Staten Island for ya sista, but he’s sticking around to see his mudda.

For those wondering, the famed social media funny-man “Meals by Cug” does have a real name — he’s Danny Mondello of Rossville.

And although he recently moved to Brooklyn to continue his explosive career as a content creator, he always makes time to visit his parents and dine in his old stomping grounds on Staten Island.

“It ain’t what it used to be,” Cug joked as we walked into Denino’s Pizzeria in Port Richmond, the exact place he recommended we go for our interview. “But it still has it’s rank.”

At 27 years old, with his iconic “brushed hair,” he still looks his typical lean self, even though he’s seen eating tons of heavy meals every week in front of his millions of followers.

“I eat like a gavone when I have to eat like a gavone,” Cug said. “I try to eat a couple salads off the camera lately.”

Food has always had a strong influence on the famed home cook’s life.

“I used to work at a lot of delis on Staten Island,” he said. “I grew up working at Miggy’s. I’ve just always had a knack for cooking, and then I took it to the next level.”

And there’s certainly levels to his continued success.

Cug blew up showing off delicious sandwiches and grading them with his signature — sometimes R-rated —punchlines.

And while he still dabbles in the food arena, you can also catch him with A-list celebrities like rapper Quavo, Post Malone, French Montana, or at the center of Madison Square Garden with the New York Knicks and New York rangers Rangers.

“You have to be able to reinvent yourself, here and there,” he said. “Make sure you align yourself with the proper people to collaborate with and work with.”

In order to be successful overall with your brand, Cug says you need to remain authentic.

“Do what you love and be natural about it,” he says. “Be consistent and just throw yourself out there. You’ve…