Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

Lee delivers exposure that has helped turn around certain businesses, with lines out the door and accolades from happy owners, with over 14.5 million followers on TikTok alone.

Then Lee arrived in Atlanta.

His visit sparked viral videos, death threats, replies from Grammy-winning performers, and, according to some, a long-overdue reckoning for Atlanta’s culinary industry.

Lee, a 27-year-old former MMA fighter, has become so famous for evaluating restaurants that it is now his full-time job.

Unlike some food influencers compensated for their reviews and thoughts, Lee claims in his videos that he pays for his meals and even sends family members to pick up his orders so he isn’t recognized and treated differently.

The Las Vegas-based everyman reviewer has a distinct style: he consumes the meal in his vehicle and records his emotions while always pushing his followers not to rely solely on his experience and to try out the venues for themselves.

Lee also attempts to discourage his followers from becoming critical of businesses whose food he hasn’t rated favorably on social media, frequently pointing out that every firm can have a bad day and that people rely on their business for a living.

His focus on small companies and food trucks, frequently owned by Black people, has endeared him to restaurant owners who have received positive feedback. Having him taste your meal is known online as “Keith Lee-d.”

Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

So there was initial enthusiasm among Lee’s supporters when they learned he was visiting Atlanta as part of a cuisine tour he and his family were on throughout the country.

Atlanta has recently been a culinary destination, with many “Top Chef” finalists and celebrity-owned restaurants. Even more recently, the city received its first Michelin-starred eateries.

Mike Jordan, who has covered the Atlanta culinary scene since 2009, told CNN that the city is a natural place for the industry to develop because, in Georgia, “we eat everywhere we go.”

“I mean, petrol station food is big in the South, and Atlanta strip clubs have not just food, but very good food,” Jordan said. “I remember people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, why would you ever eat at a strip club?'” And we’ve gotten to the point where it’s well acknowledged that Magic City (a legendary Atlanta strip club) has very, very, very good wings.”

Things could have improved when Lee tried to obtain dinner from other Atlanta-area restaurants.

Lee consented to be interviewed by CNN at first but later changed his mind, requesting that some of the businesses he visited be allowed to speak instead. However, on his social media platforms — he has over 1 million Instagram followers — he shared a story about being unable to receive service at The Real Milk and Honey in College Park, a suburb south of Atlanta.

When Lee’s family went to order dinner, the staff told them the restaurant was shutting early for a deep cleaning despite the doors being open and other customers picking up meals, according to his review.

Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

Lee stated that he chose to go in on his own and that when the personnel recognized him, they offered him service, which he declined.

“I pay for my food just like everyone else.” “I walk up in the same spots as everyone else,” Lee explained, explaining why he was doing a food-free review. “We’re all regular people.” Respectfully, don’t do it now if you won’t do it then.”

Lee feels he was treated differently when he tried to eat at Old Lady Gang, an Atlanta restaurant owned by Grammy-winning songwriter, musician, and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss.

Lee stated he took his family into the restaurant and was told there was no carryout on weekends and that there would be a wait of more than an hour. However, Lee stated that he went inside again, was recognized, and was informed they could be seated immediately away.

When the TikTok inventor queried how his group was suddenly seated so swiftly, he was told that the persons on the list before his family had not reacted when their name was announced, leaving a space. He declined service once more.

The two firms responded differently to the intended reviews.

The Real Milk and Honey first shared a video on social media in which an unnamed man inquires, “Who is this Keith Lee?” The video received a nearly immediate reaction and was removed.

After that, the restaurant started on Instagram to “address a recent incident that highlighted a review from a high-profile food blogger.”

“In no way were we trying to discredit anyone, if the comments came across as such, kindly accept our apologies,” the message says. “It’s crucial to always take feedback and make improvements, for the success of our business and our community.”

Burruss, for her part, shared a video on Instagram with the caption, “I just really want to say, I do appreciate Keith Lee stopping by our restaurant and trying to show us love.”

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t serve him and his family,” the woman stated. “On weekends, we get a lot of community support, both from people in our city and from people from out of town.” So, with that said, we don’t want to overburden our kitchen by having to, you know, have such long wait times for customers who are actually at the restaurant, as well as do to-go orders.”

CNN has contacted The Real Milk and Honey and Kandi Burruss for further comment.

Lee’s experiences prompted several on social media to air their grievances, including that Atlanta’s restaurant sector is filled with establishments that care more about their social media presence than their cuisine and service.

According to several complaints, such establishments offer uneven hours, cuisine, and customer service, as well as policies that are not necessarily client-friendly, such as not permitting takeaway.

The conversation became so popular that rapper Cardi B, who lives in Atlanta, went live on social media and shared her own experiences, saying, “I feel like Atlanta restaurants, they don’t like to make money,” and noting that she has had members of her team drop her name to get better service.

“I feel bad for Atlanta residents,” she remarked. “Thank you, Jesus, I’m famous, but even me being famous, it’s like a hassle!”

But Jordan, now a senior editor for the Black culture team at Atlanta’s official newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, sees a silver lining.

“Sometimes it takes an outsider to express what many people think.” And when he did this, there was such a widespread reaction from customers, influencers, the media, and restaurant owners — that shows you that this has been simmering under the surface for a long time,” Jordan added.

“And he (Lee) was just the conduit to open up this conversation,” he said. “I think his outsider status made this a place where everyone could finally let loose because I think we’re also a very nice city, a Southern city.” So I believe everyone felt this way… (but) they needed someone else to say it first.”

Miguel Hernandez, an Atlanta restaurant, hoped Lee would visit him.

He appreciates food influencers and mentioned that during a recent trip to Dallas, he used TikTok to discover a decent location to eat. He is a co-owner of Rreal Tacos, a local chain of fast-casual eateries.

“I believe that these influencers are aware of their power. They’re not doing it to bring down restaurants,” Hernandez explained, adding that he has collaborated with social media influencers to spread the word about his business.

And, while he realizes that people are enthusiastic about their city and its eateries, he sees no reason to go overboard with Lee’s reviews.

“It does allow restaurant owners and people in the food scene in Atlanta to maybe get better,” Hernandez told me. “Atlanta is well-known for its music.” Atlanta is well-known for establishing trends. And I believe Atlanta’s cuisine culture will have to improve as well.”

SOURCE – CNN