The famed TikTok food critic and mixed martial artist Keith Lee is bringing his taste buds to Texas.
In a recent viral TikTok video, Lee shared that he and his family have decided to move to the Lone Star State.
“It’s official. The cat is out the bag. We was gonna try to keep it a secret, but … it ain’t a secret no more,” Lee said. “Me and my family live in Texas.”
Known for his honest and down-to-earth food reviews, Lee has made a name for himself by visiting local restaurants around the country, tasting their dishes, and offering candid reviews rated on a 1-10 scale. His viral reviews have significantly impacted the businesses he features, with many restaurants experiencing a dramatic customer boost after his positive reviews.
Lee’s presence has already been felt in Texas, particularly in Houston, where he previously ranked the city as the second-best food city in the nation—even after visiting other major cities like Dallas. Not long ago, his reviews highlighted local Houston spots like Butter Funk Kitchen and The Puddery, leading to a surge in customers and bringing newfound attention to the city’s diverse culinary scene.
With Lee officially calling Texas home, Houston’s Black food community shares their thoughts about what this move could mean for the city’s culinary industry, especially for Black-owned restaurants and chefs looking to expand their reach.
KeAndre Jordan, widely known as My Southern Brand, has long been prominent in Houston’s Black food scene. The Black food connoisseur acknowledged the food critic’s massive reach but questioned whether it would significantly improve local Black-owned establishments in Houston.
“I don’t see no change, to be honest with you,” he said. “While Lee’s platform is huge on a global scale, it may not necessarily revolutionize Houston’s culinary landscape in the way some expect.”
For Jordan, the key to any significant change is collaboration. He noted that while Lee has a massive following, those who have been “boots to the ground” in Houston—like himself and other local influencers—are the ones who know the nuances of the city’s culinary culture. Jordan hopes that Lee will reach out to local influencers who have already laid the groundwork. He witnessed local restaurants that were caught up with Lee’s popularity and disregarded the efforts of local influencers.
“It would be good if he could just come in and collaborate with us or get corners from us,” he said. “There is a need to put Black restaurants at the forefront. We can’t do it all. If we all come together and help the greater good of the people, we’ll be in a better state.”
Grundy ‘G-Mayniac’ Wiley, the founder of Bless Tha Belly Inc., sees Keith Lee’s move as a significant opportunity to boost visibility for many smaller establishments across Texas. “I think it’s pretty great,” G-Mayniac said, acknowledging how many businesses—especially mom-and-pop shops—struggled during the pandemic and could benefit from Lee’s platform’s exposure.
“Social media is fairly new to a lot of businesses, and they don’t have time to really be on social media,” G-Mayniac explained. “Texas is huge,” G-Mayniac Keith Lee could provide much-needed exposure for these restaurants.”
While he’s optimistic, G-Mayniac also recognizes that some influencers may feel overshadowed by the national attention Lee brings. “I can definitely understand how a lot of different influencers say, ‘Oh man, they didn’t show us any love,” he said.
Having been in the game since 2017, G-Mayniac has seen how local influencers sometimes get overlooked when bigger names come onto the scene. However, he believes there’s enough space for everyone to thrive.
“I feel like it’s enough place for everybody to eat. Keith has a way of using his platform to connect with everyday people. His reviews are real, not overproduced or flashy — he tells it like it is. That type of relatability is powerful, and it’s exactly what we need to help elevate some of our hidden gems that don’t always get the spotlight.”
