News Summary
Keith Lee, a well-known TikTok food critic with 17 million followers, is starting a food tour across the Carolinas to spotlight locally-owned and Black-owned restaurants. Known for his candid reviews, Lee’s tour aims to uplift local eateries and promote community involvement. Following a successful viral video, he plans to visit cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Charleston. His reviews have a significant impact on local businesses, often increasing customer traffic. Lee encourages fans to suggest restaurants to visit during his journey, amplifying community engagement.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Keith Lee, a prominent TikTok food critic with 17 million followers, is set to embark on a highly anticipated food tour across the Carolinas. His mission is to highlight locally-owned, Black-owned, and family-operated restaurants during his journey, drawing significant attention from food enthusiasts across the region.
Lee has established a reputation for his candid and entertaining food reviews, a phenomenon referred to as the “Keith Lee effect.” Restaurants that receive positive reviews from him often experience a noticeable surge in business, with many attributing increased foot traffic and customer interest directly to his influence on social media. In a recent viral TikTok video, Lee revealed that Raleigh received the most votes in a poll for his initial visit, but his itinerary will include multiple cities in the Carolinas to reach a wider audience.
Tour Itinerary Highlights
Lee’s food tour will cover several key cities, including Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston, Greenville, Durham, Greensboro, and Asheville. As part of his journey, he has already sampled a variety of local eateries, showcasing the diverse food scene in the region.
One notable stop was a hibachi food truck named Highway West located in Clayton, where Lee praised the lamb chop Alfredo, giving it a rating of 9.2 out of 10. He highlighted the dish’s perfect seasoning, although mentioned a slight saltiness. The subsequent positive review led to a significant increase in customers, leading to long lines at the food truck, illustrating the impact of the “Keith Lee effect” on local businesses.
Lee also visited the popular fast-food chain Cook Out in North Carolina. His experience there was a mix of highs and lows; he rated a burger he enjoyed at 7.8 out of 10, while the fries fell short at just 4 out of 10. This balanced feedback has resonated with his audience, further illustrating his honest approach to food review.
Community Involvement
In light of the enthusiasm surrounding his tour, Lee has been receiving over 10,000 direct messages from fans and locals specifically requesting that he visit Charlotte. To further engage the community, he is inviting suggestions for additional local restaurants or eateries worth exploring during his travels.
Lee’s food tour has also taken him to Columbia, South Carolina, where he sampled fried chicken from Bernard Hardison, a backyard cook known for his viral cooking videos. Lee rated the chicken wings an impressive 9 out of 10, showcasing yet another example of local culinary talent. Hardison is expected to make an appearance at the Looka That Festival on July 26 in Cayce, South Carolina, further highlighting the vibrant food culture in the area.
Background on Keith Lee
Keith Lee’s rise to fame as a food critic began with his engaging and straightforward reviews on TikTok. His captivating style and honest critiques have garnered immense popularity, leading to a loyal following and significant influence on the dining choices of his audience. As he continues his journey through the Carolinas, his commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting unique culinary experiences is capturing the attention of both local residents and food lovers nationwide.
The excitement surrounding Lee’s food tour underscores the importance of community support for local restaurants, particularly those that are minority-owned or family-operated. Through his platform, he aims to uplift and celebrate the diverse food culture present in the Carolinas, creating new opportunities for local chefs and food vendors.
As Keith Lee prepares for this extensive food tour, the local communities eagerly await his visits, anticipating the positive ripple effects his reviews may bring to their favorite eateries.
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Additional Resources
- CHS Today
- Axios
- Charlotte Observer
- News Observer
- Q City Metro
- Wikipedia: Keith Lee
- Google Search: Keith Lee food critic
- Google Scholar: Keith Lee food reviews
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Keith Lee
- Google News: Keith Lee food tour
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
