Photography by Kathy Tran.
A TikTok influencer known for rating the food and customer service at small restaurants is coming to Dallas.
Keith Lee, 27, is a professional MMA fighter, but gained a TikTok following of nearly 16 Million after posting food reviews from restaurants across the country. A positive Lee recommendation has led to boosts in business for many of the restaurants, in what has been dubbed the “Keith Lee effect.”
On Monday, Lee announced the next city he will visit on his “food review tour” will be Dallas, and his criteria for choosing which restaurants to visit will be slightly different than in cities past.
Restaurants Lee visits will be split into three categories: Places with good food and good customer service that need more marketing, local spots voted on by Dallas-ites and restaurants with diverse backgrounds.
Lee is encouraging Dallas locals to submit names of popular or iconic restaurants to him over social media, and an Instagram story poll will help him decide his final destinations. He generally visits “underrated” restaurants, often family owned, that offer plates at affordable price points.
With all that in mind, we have suggestions of several Oak Cliff restaurants Lee would be remiss to miss.
1. Tortas Las Tortugas – 235 Centre St.
Based out of a former Dairy Queen, Tortas Las Tortugas already has a long line on most weekends. But that doesn’t mean the brother-owned shop shouldn’t receive their TikTok flowers.
Raul and Martin Solis bake their torta bread each day, as well as their real-fruit aguas frescas, and the laid-back vibe of the restaurant is exactly the type of place Keith Lee tends to gravitate too.
2. Country Burger – 401 South Hampton Rd.
An unassuming but beloved neighborhood burger joint, a trip to Country Burger will give any tourist a solid bite to eat and a glimpse into our neighborhood’s devotion to Selena Quintanilla-Perez.
3. Lockhart Smokehouse – 400 West Davis St.
A trip to a major Texas city wouldn’t be complete without some BBQ, and Lockhart Smokehouse is regularly touted as one of the best in the metroplex.
The Texas Hill Country-style barbecue sells meat by the pound and when they’re out, they’re out.Â
4. Maskaras Mexican Grill – 2423 West Kiest Blvd.
The Kiestwood taco shop is a crown jewel of our neighborhood, and offers a range of plates from street tacos to gourmet.
The restaurant is owned by husband-wife duo Rodolfo and Zulma Jimenez, and is especially kid-friendly, which may appeal to father of two Lee. Plus, dessert offerings of fried Oreos and fried Twinkies will fill Lee in on all of the state-fair goodies he missed out on.
