In a recent turn of events, popular TikTokker Keith Lee found himself at the center of a heated controversy surrounding Atlanta's restaurant scene. Lee, known for his honest and hype-free food reviews, had traveled to the city to explore its local culinary offerings. However, his experience took an unexpected turn when he encountered difficulties with customer service and long wait times at multiple establishments.

Keith Lee, a 27-year-old former MMA fighter based in Las Vegas, rose to fame on TikTok through his food-related content. With over 14 million followers, his simple-yet-addictive videos, where he rates food items on a 10-point scale, have garnered immense popularity. Lee's reviews have even helped revive struggling small businesses, many of which are owned by restaurateurs of color.

The controversy in Atlanta began when Lee documented his problematic experiences at various restaurants, sparking a social media frenzy. One such incident occurred at the Southern-style restaurant Old Lady Gang, owned by Kandi Burruss. Lee claimed that the restaurant was unresponsive to his calls and had confusing rules about ordering. He later alleged that when he personally walked into the establishment, he was suddenly offered a table, raising concerns of preferential treatment.

Another restaurant, Toast on Lenox, faced similar scrutiny when Lee shared videos of himself advocating for other waiting patrons who were not being seated promptly. The incidents culminated in Lee's widely-watched review of The Real Milk and Honey, where he criticized the restaurant for allegedly misleading customers about hours of operation and imposing strict rules.

Lee's videos shed light on what many Atlanta residents and foodies have long criticized – poor customer service at some popular establishments. The discussions sparked by Lee's content also exposed a larger issue of hospitality standards within the Black community, particularly in Atlanta, where tedious dress codes, confusing rules, and an attitude of superiority by some restaurants have left many patrons frustrated.

Support for Keith Lee poured in, including a surprise endorsement from rapper Cardi B, who lamented her own difficulties dining out in Atlanta. She echoed the sentiment that some restaurants in the city do not prioritize customer service or making money, even for famous patrons like herself.

While some critics accused Lee of targeting Black businesses, many supporters hailed his videos as an opportunity for improvement. They hope that his honest reviews, presented from the perspective of an unpretentious Black critic, will lead to better standards in the Atlanta restaurant scene and beyond.

However, not all restaurants took kindly to Lee's feedback. The Real Milk and Honey's owner posted a response video with sarcastic comments, and a manager allegedly made derogatory remarks about Lee's condition in a TikTok comment. The restaurant and Kandi Burruss later issued apologies, clarifying that the comments did not represent their establishments.

Despite the controversy, Keith Lee did find exceptional dining experiences in Atlanta. He praised Jamaican restaurants, Juci Jerk and Jamaican Jerk Biz, for their delicious food and even rewarded the latter with a generous $2,600 tip to match the owner's earnings for the day.

As the Atlanta restaurant scene undergoes a reckoning sparked by Keith Lee's reviews, it remains to be seen how establishments will address customer service concerns and strive for improvement. One thing is certain – wherever Keith Lee goes, his followers will be hungry for more honest reviews.