Support Us Button Widget

Viral TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee came to Columbia

Keith Lee’s viral food reviews bring massive crowds to locally owned businesses that deserve the spotlight — where else should he have gone in Columbia?

Keith Lee.png

Keith Lee announced he is going on tour across the Carolinas — where should he stop in Cola? | Photos via TikTok ; collage by COLAtoday

9 out of 10. That’s the rating Keith Lee, a viral restaurant critic with 17 million followers on TikTok, gave local Bernard Harrison’s fried chicken.

In case you haven’t heard of him, Lee and his family have traveled the country in search of the best food around, especially from Black-owned and family-operated restaurants, and his videos garner millions of views. After a positive review from Lee, local restaurants report a “Keith Lee effect,” including wrap-around lines and business doubling.

Lee frequents hyper-local restaurants that are a bit off the beaten path and deserve more spotlight. Check out this video — Robbie Robinson of City Limits Barbecue asks Keith to take a pit stop while on tour.

Is there another local spot that you think would be a must-visit for Lee? We’re looking for hidden food gems. Let us know.

More from COLAtoday
South Carolina is reshaping its offense with coordinator Kendal Briles and longtime assistants Stan Drayton and Randy Clements joining Shane Beamer’s staff.
Columbia Food & Wine Festival returns with new Tastemakers memberships and a USC hospitality scholarship added to its five-day lineup.
Registration is open for MAI’s spring Audio Engineering Certificate, a six-month program led by Jam Room’s Jay Matheson.
The $80 million LOCAL Columbia development will add new apartments, retail space, parking, and streetscape improvements just one block from the State House.
CF Evans has started building 2222 Main View, a 320-unit luxury apartment project coming to Main Street by 2027.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
It’s not just your year in music — we’ve also rounded up your year in local news.
A grassroots effort is helping Midlands properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
Publix will open a new 50,000-sqft downtown store in the BullStreet District, expanding walkable grocery access with construction starting in 2026.
Slip 53, a coastal-inspired oyster and seafood spot, will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building.