He's amassed nearly 17 million followers on TikTok alone and is most famous for putting locally owned businesses on the map. But not without a bit of controversy.
One of his most recent TikTok videos reviewing Wicked Butcher in Downtown Dallas confirmed the move. As of now, it has over 1.2 million views. Locals flooded the comments with restaurants for him to try, like Monarch, Cuates and a user who chose to gatekeep a Mexican food truck in Fort Worth.
There was also unanimous support for the move. "I’m so glad you’ve come to Dallas but I’m so scared the Keith Lee effect is about to make all my favorite secret spots slammed," commented Thomas O'Foolery.@keith_lee125 Wicked Butcher taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic @wickedbutcher ♬ original sound - Keith Lee
"I’m so happy. Like we have too much and I need to know what’s good that’s not a freaking franchise." Missy_in_tx praised.
In the video, Lee says, "One thing I do love about the Dallas food scene, we've been here about a month, month and a half, they do got some nice fine dining restaurants," before going on to rate the food.
He said that he didn't go there specifically to rate the food. The general manager of the restaurant recognized him and asked for his opinion of the food. "Imma give it," Lee says in the video.
He spent $142.89 at Wicked Butcher and tried salmon tartar, green curry salmon, steak and frites, blackberry basil lemonade and a bag of bread, which was actually "popovers" and "Yorkshire pudding" as many commenters corrected.
The green curry salmon was rated 8.6/10; steak (8/10) and frites (7.5/10); after triple dipping the salmon tartar it was rated 9/10; the popover was a 7/10 (with butter an 8-8.5/10) and the lemonade was rated a 9/10 after he downed his second one.
"Keith!! Thank you so much for the review and coming to see us! We’re honored!! Welcome to the Dallas community!!! Would love to host you and your fam again anytime!!" Wicked Butcher commented.
"Thank you so much for that review my husband is the creator of all those amazing dishes, chef Richard Triptow!!! I’m gonna show him now!!!" said Chef Triptow's wife at the top of the comments.
Lee may have had a rocky start during his visit to Dallas in early 2024 year, but it's clear when he came for the State Fair back in October, Dallas won his heart, and continues to as he explores our food scene. Take that, Houston.
