Keith Lee is coming to the DMV.
Why it matters: The food critic and TikTok star has the power to dramatically change a restaurant’s future with just one review — a phenomenon that’s become known as the ” Keith Lee Effect. ”
- Lee’s 2023 critiques of Atlanta’s restaurants, for instance, caused a firestorm in that city’s food scene .
The big picture: Lee announced early Monday morning on TikTok that “very soon, we gon be in the DMV.”
- And he wants recommendations for family-owned places that have “great food and great customer service but could use some marketing, for absolutely free to them.”
Zoom in: To those who aren’t familiar, the DMV area stretches as far as Baltimore and captures most of Northern Virginia.
- Unfortunately, Richmond technically doesn’t make the cut.
- But that hasn’t stopped people from shouting Richmond spots like Mama J’s , Croaker’s Spot and Ronnie’s BBQ in Varina.
Other restaurants being tagged so far:
- Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant , which has locations in D.C. and Baltimore.
- Ekiben Baltimore .
- Royal Spice , a Nepalese restaurant near the BWI airport.