Famed national food critic Keith Lee said it is intolerable that he and his family have been subjected to death threats just because he did not give good reviews of some Atlanta restaurants.
Lee, who boasts nearly 20 million followers on TikTok and Instagram alone, finds folks’ extreme responses to his critiques of some ATL eateries — particularly the Old Lady Gang owned by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker — disquieting and disturbing.
Furthermore, Lee, who is a former mixed martial arts fighter-turned-culinary connoisseur, is horrified that owners of the other restaurants he reviewed are also being subjected to death threats and bodily harm. Reportedly, harsh reviews have also been posted by people who’ve never visited the establishments.
Lee took to his 18 million-strong TikTok account to admonish members of the public who are threatening the safety of his family and the owners of ATL restaurants.
Lee said “it’s OK to disagree” to disagree with his reviews, “but when my safety and my family’s safety starts coming into play, that’s where I draw the line at,” he said.
“Nobody’s safety should be on the line. Not mine, not my family, not the restaurants that we go to … I get it, but at the end of the day, what you want me to do? You want me to lie? I can’t do that. I’ll walk away from everything before I lie,” Lee said.
@physteechic #duet with @Keith Lee #foodcritic
Atlanta radio show legend Ryan Cameron further conveyed Lee’s sentiments that he may postpone tours of Black-owned restaurants in other cities if this is going to be the response to his reviews.
Keith lee said he and his family received death threats and he will not be returning to Atlanta for a second round of food reviews . #ryanreport
— Ryan Cameron (@ryancameron) October 31, 2023
He only goes where he’s invited he doesn’t pop up on folks places of business. It’s very disheartening that people leave 1 star reviews on a persons business and have never been there . It’s a gift and a curse to have this level of popularity
— Ryan Cameron (@ryancameron) October 31, 2023
Another major development took place when Lee pointed out that The Real Milk and Honey restaurant refused to seat his family members, but immediately changed their mind when Lee entered the establishment. He declined the offer and discussed this on a subsequent video, triggering a clap back from someone at the eatery. They later took their video down when Lee’s life was threatened.
Cardi B is one major Atlanta celebrity who came to Lee’s defense and said Atlanta restaurant owners really don’t care for their customers.
“I feel like Atlanta restaurants, they don’t like to make money. I feel like they don’t like people, they don’t like their customers,” Cardi said. “Thank you Jesus I’m famous, but even [with] me being famous, it’s like a hassle.”
Lee’s national influence is irrefutable. He is credited with single-handedly resuscitating dining spots — including one in his Las Vegas hometown — through his reviews.
