Keith Lee, a 28-year-old food critic, has gained immense popularity on TikTok for his car-based restaurant reviews. His platform has grown to nearly 17 million followers and 800 million likes, attracting both local and international attention. Lee's reviews have a significant impact on restaurants, boosting their business and even helping them honor the legacy of late owners. Beyond the impact on restaurants, Lee credits TikTok with helping him overcome social anxiety and depression.
The popular food critic , 28, started posting his restaurant reviews on TikTok in 2021. He’s since amassed a following of almost 17 million on the app, along with nearly 800 million likes. In a typical Keith Lee video, he sits in his car with takeout and rates each dish on a scale of one to 10. At first, most of the restaurants were local businesses around his area. However, as his platform grew, he embarked on food tours from Houston and New York City to South Korea and Japan.
A good review from Lee can attract lines of customers out the door — and in the case of restaurants like Dynamite Korean Food & Sushi/Grill, around the block. Last New Year’s Eve, Lee called on his followers to show up and honor the family-owned business’ late owner, who had recently died of tongue cancer. At its peak, the wait time for food was five hours. Sushi Restaurant in Seattle Temporarily Closes After ‘Worm’ Complaints on Food Critic Keith Lee’s Video Reflecting on Dynamite and other mom-and-pop shops he’s boosted, Lee tells PEOPLE as one of 2024's Creators of the Year that he’s “forever blessed” to assist others in realizing their dreams. “The son came to me and he said we played a pivotal role in his dad seeing his dream before he passed away,” Lee recalls. “That's intangible, and I believe that's something that can't be put into words and that can't be expressed other than just saying I'm thankful for it.” The benefits of his reviews go both ways for Lee. Since starting TikTok, he says there’s been “a huge, remarkable progress” in how he deals with his social anxiety and depression, which he’s spoken openly about in his videos. When he compares a video of himself at 18 to now, he notes a difference in how he articulates on camera and in public. “I believe TikTok has played a pivotal role in that, and the people of TikTok, I’m forever thankful for them,” Lee say
Tiktok Food Critic Keith Lee Restaurant Reviews Social Media Mental Health Success Story
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