Keith Lee critiques D.C. food scene: what’s really going on?

Keith Lee, a popular TikTok food reviewer, recently visited the Washington D.C. area, generating excitement among his fans. During his tour, he reviewed 12 local restaurants but only featured six on his TikTok account, citing poor customer service and unsanitary practices at some establishments. Lee, who is allergic to shellfish, refrained from naming the restaurants he found unsatisfactory out of respect for their owners. Among the dishes he tried, Lee rated a family-operated Ethiopian restaurant, Dukem, highly, giving its short ribs a 9 out of 10. He also enjoyed fried rice and chicken wings from Hong Kong Delite Carry Out, which earned an 8.6 rating. However, his exploration of D.C.'s culinary scene was criticized for lacking diversity, as he missed trying other local specialties like Chesapeake blue crabs and oysters. Lee's critiques are not new; he faced backlash for his negative reviews of Atlanta's food scene last October. His comments about D.C. sparked discussions about the city's food offerings and the need for a broader representation of its culinary landscape. While he praised some dishes, his selective choices raised questions about the overall quality of the food scene in the area. The response to Lee's reviews highlights the importance of food critics in shaping public perception of local cuisines. As he continues to explore various cities, his influence on restaurant visibility and success remains significant, prompting both support and criticism from the communities he visits.