
Who Is Keith Lee? What To Know About The Popular TikTok Food Critic

TikTok’s most adored food critic, Keith Lee, has given us an inside look at his personal restaurant experiences. Lee reviews food from a variety of restaurants in his car on a scale from 1-10 and does so in a way that feels honest and relatable. His videos have amassed millions of views over the years and have amplified several local businesses to prime success.
Most recently, Lee visited a taco food truck named Tacos 2 Tierras; after his satisfactory experience, Lee decided to share it with his online community of over 14 million followers. The local food truck's social media page gained thousands of followers nearly overnight.
Lee continuously makes his online community aware of the best and not-so-great restaurants. However, we still wonder, “Who is Keith Lee?” Here are a few facts about the relatively private food critic that has every restaurant owner on the edge of their seat.
1.Family Is His Number One Priority
@keith_lee125 Family Vlog taste test 💕 would you soend the day with us ? 💕 #foodcritic
Besides being married to the food scene, Keith Lee is also committed to his family. He and his wife, Ronnie Lee, have been together since college and tied the knot in 2020. The couple share two children, Karter and Riley. Keith began filming his TikToks when his wife was pregnant with their first child. At the time, he would make videos of his wife’s cravings. He has often shared his runs to the grocery store and restaurants. His devotion to his wife's food cravings eventually led to an incredible career as a food critic.
2.He’s A Trained Fighter
@ufc You heard him, TUNE IN! #keithlee #ufc #mma
Keith Lee and his brother have been professional fighters since the TikToker was 18. During his senior year of high school, Lee and his family moved to Las Vegas to pursue his fighting career. Lee opened up to Today during an interview, saying, “They [his parents] came to me and was like, ‘We leave for Vegas tomorrow.’ And I was like, alright, so we packed our stuff and left.”
He and his brother continued to fight professionally in Vegas until the pandemic hit in 2020. Before then, Lee quickly rose the ladder in the fighting scene and made a name for himself. He told Today, “I made it to Bellator, one of the biggest fighting promotions. I had two fights before the pandemic started.”
3.Keith Lee Is From Detroit
Although Lee now makes a living traveling to different cities and tasting different foods, there was once a time when he didn’t leave his hometown. The food critic was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and told Today he hadn’t been anywhere besides Virginia as a child. He told the outlet, “I grew up in inner-city Detriot. I’d never even traveled outside of Detroit other than once to Virginia.”
4."God Is Amazing"
Besides giving his honest opinion about restaurants, Keith Lee isn’t shy about his faith. He regularly praises God in his TikTok videos, and so does his family. Lee can almost always be heard saying phrases like "God is amazing," "God is good,” or “God is the greatest” when talking about his restaurant experiences or run-ins with fans. Recently, he shared a testimony video showing the incredible moments he’s been able to experience with his family since the takeoff of his social media career. Lee captioned the video, “God is amazing!” He sure is!
5.“The Keith Lee Effect”
@cleos_southerncuisine I’m so humbled and filled with sooo much joy with the amount of support! Thank you to everyone! My Day 1’s and my @Keith Lee wave ❤️ forever grateful #keithleeeffect promise to make proud
Imagine having a strong online presence to the point you have your own slogan. This is the reality for Lee, whose presence is now known as “The Keith Lee effect.” His “cult-like” following began to give him the slogan after noticing his reviews' strong impact on local businesses. This can be seen in real-time when he reviews under-the-radar restaurants or mom-and-pop food spots and a good review results in those restaurants booming in popularity and business not too soon after he shares his experience with his audience.
Recently, Lee caused an all-out war online after he visited Atlanta and chronicled his experience. For example, when he visited Real Milk and Honey, he said that his family was told they were closed for a deep cleaning, but when he walked in, they recognized him and tried to serve him. He and his family decided to leave. Things took a turn for the worse when the restaurant owner put out a TikTok video seemingly taking a dig at Lee by claiming he didn't know him. While the restaurant has since apologized, the damage was already done. Videos surfaced on TikTok of the once-busy restaurant being empty. The Keith Lee effect is nothing to be played with.
6.His Love For Sneakers Is Unmatched
Watch on TikTok
Everyone has a vice, and for Keith Lee, it’s sneakers. He hasn’t been shy about openly expressing his love for sneakers, recently showing his sneaker collection on TikTok to his supporters. The massive shoe collection was apparent in the video while Lee expressed a new milestone. Telling his audience, “It’s been two weeks since I’ve bought a pair of sneakers.” He then shared that he is in the middle of a sneaker closet makeover! We love to see it!
7.From Door-Dasher To Partnering With DoorDash
Watch on TikTok
Before the “Keith Lee Effect,” a young Keith Lee was pursuing his dream of becoming a professional fighter. Working as a Door Dasher in between his fighting training, Lee used the money he made to provide him with gas and lunch to keep going. Fast forward a few years later, his hard work finally paid off in a way he didn’t expect, with a DoorDash partnership. Lee openly shared his DoorDash days in a video posted to social media.
8.A Faithful Man With A Hint Of Fear
It takes a fearless person to live life loudly on the internet. However, Keith Lee’s biggest fear isn’t the internet - it’s the ocean. An intense video was shared of Lee attempting to face his challenge of entering the ocean. Lee, known for his calming spirit, can be seen screaming while trying to go in. Friends are alongside Lee, encouraging him to dive in. One of his friends can be seen going into the ocean to provide Lee with comfort.
Lee hilariously goes into the ocean while accidentally flipping his boat and friend into the water. Thankfully, the two were able to make it back into the boat safe and sound.
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From '106 & Park' To Prime Time, Rocsi Diaz Is Still That Girl
Rocsi Diaz is no stranger to the camera. From her iconic run on 106 & Park to interviewing Hollywood heavyweights on Entertainment Tonight, she’s been at the center of culture for years. Now, she’s back in the hosting chair alongside none other than Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders for We Got Time Today, a fresh talk show exclusive to Tubi.
The show is exactly what you’d expect when you put a media pro and a sports legend together—a mix of real talk, unfiltered moments, and guest interviews that feel like family kickbacks. As the duo wraps up their first season, Rocsi sat down with xoNecole to talk about teaming up with Deion, the wildest moments on set, and why streaming platforms like Tubi are shaking up the talk show world.
Scoring the Gig & Clicking Instantly with Deion
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence
Deion Sanders had been dreaming of hosting a talk show, and when Tubi came calling, it was only right he made it happen. But before he found the perfect co-host, he held auditions with different women for the spot.
Lucky for us, Rocsi threw her hat in the ring, and the connection was instant. “You just can’t buy chemistry like we have,” she tells us. “We are legit like big brother, little sister—fighting, cracking jokes, telling each other off. When you watch the show, it’s like watching family.”
Mixing News, Culture & Sports—Minus the Snooze
With We Got Time Today, Rocsi and Deion cover everything from the latest headlines to celebrity tea and, of course, sports. But instead of stiff, rehearsed segments, the show keeps it loose and unpredictable.
“We’re not breaking the mold—it’s not rocket science,” Rocsi jokes. “We just bring our own flair, our authenticity, and our personalities to it. Deion has firsthand experience in sports, so when we talk about athletes, he brings a different perspective.”
And the best part? Unlike traditional talk shows that rush through quick interviews, We Got Time Today actually takes its time. “A lot of shows might give you one or two segments with a guest,” Rocsi says. “With us, we actually sit down and have real-life conversations.”
Her Top Guests (So Far!)
From music icons to relationship experts, the show has already had some unforgettable guests—but a few stand out for Rocsi.
“Ice Cube was our first guest, and he’s just legendary,” she says. “Kirk Franklin had us cracking up when he broke into a full choir freestyle for our Christmas special. And anytime we get Dr. Bryant on to put Deion in the hot seat? That’s my favorite!”
And of course, there’s Nick Cannon. “Nick was amazing,” she adds. “You already know he’s going to bring the energy and say something wild.”
Tag-Team Hosting with Deion: The Inside Scoop
While Deion Sanders is best known for his football greatness, Rocsi says he’s also one of the funniest people she’s ever worked with.
“He’s goofy—like, really goofy,” she laughs. “A lot of people didn’t know that side of him, but now they do. He can crack a joke, and if you’re too sensitive, good luck, because he will go in. But the best part? I throw it right back at him! Sometimes we just look at each other like, ‘Okay, that was a good one.’”
But beyond the laughs, she admires his insane work ethic. “Watching him juggle everything he does is just super admirable,” she says.
How "We Got Time Today" Brings That "106 & Park" Energy
Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
For those wondering if We Got Time Today feels like 106 & Park 2.0, Rocsi says it’s a whole different vibe.
“The only comparison I’d make is that it’s a destination for the culture,” she explains. “It’s a platform where our people can come, feel safe, and have real conversations. But other than that, this is Deion’s world—we’re just having fun in it.”
The Talk Show Shake-Up: Why This Show Hits Different
Unlike traditional networks, We Got Time Today lives exclusively on Tubi, proving that streaming platforms are changing how we watch talk shows.
“Tubi is giving more people opportunities and making content more accessible,” Rocsi says. “Deion is a huge Tubi fan—he literally loves Black cinema—so it just made sense for him. And honestly? He’s got me watching it too!”
Real Ones Only: Women Holding Each Other Down
Rocsi credits her best friend, Chantelle, for always keeping her grounded. “She kept pouring into me, reminding me of who I am,” she shares. Even Deion Sanders makes sure to give her flowers, often calling her “the hostess with the most.”
In the industry, she’s built lasting bonds with women like Julissa Bermundez, Angie Martinez, and Angela Yee. “Julissa and I still kick it—her house is basically Sephora, so I just shop there,” she jokes. She also cherishes her friendships with Melyssa Ford and Robin Roberts, who have offered unwavering support. “Robin has always been there for me,” Rocsi says, reflecting on the wisdom she’s gained from the legendary journalist.
With the show’s first season wrapping up, Rocsi is grateful for the experience and excited for what’s next. “We’re having a good time, and the audience can feel that,” she says.
And if you haven’t tuned in yet? Well, Rocsi and Deion got time—so you might as well make some too.
Catch We Got Time Today now streaming on Tubi!
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'Dandy Land' Just Dropped & It’s a Celebration Of Black Style, Swagger, And Statement-Making
The first Monday in May is always a moment, but this year? It’s giving Blackity Black Black Black in the most intentional and celebratory way. On May 5, the MET Gala will unveil its latest exhibition titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which is a tribute to Black dandyism and identity. The exhibition honors the power of clothing within the Black diaspora, spotlighting how style has long served as a tool for Black resistance, reinvention, and radical self-expression.
Centering designers of color and curated by scholar Monica L. Miller, the exhibition draws from her 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity and the enduring legacy of Black fashion and self-styling. As she explains, the Black dandy “reimagines the self in a different context” and challenges “who and what counts as human, even.”
- YouTubeyoutu.be
This year marks the Costume Institute’s first menswear-focused show in over 20 years and the first to exclusively highlight designers of color. The co-chairs for the 2025 Gala include Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton, alongside honorary co-chair LeBron James.
To further build anticipation for the Gala, GQ and Voguecollaborated on a stunning fashion portfolio called Dandy Land, styled by image architect Law Roach and shot by Tyler Mitchell. The spread features over 30 Black trailblazers who embody the elegance and edge of Black dandyism.
In the words of Janelle Monáe:
“I consider myself a free-ass motherfucker. And when I’m in my suit, that is exactly how I feel… I feel like I am showing you a new way to think about clothing and to think about values and to think about what you stand for.”
Ayo Edebiri added:
“I’m half Nigerian. There’s nothing more dandy than an African man dressed to the nines, really showing out, going to a party or a wedding.”
Actress Danielle Deadwyler shared:
“Black dandyism is essentially a bucking of systems, a bucking of oppression, and saying we are inherently beautiful.”
And in the words of Dapper Dan, the Godfather of Harlem:
“The way I came into dandyism is through this process of transformation. I’m from the poorest neighborhood in Harlem, right by the banks of the Harlem River. Everybody in my little enclave was all poor. We had rats and roaches. Goodwill was our Macy’s. Whenever I was lucky and fortunate enough to have something to wear, I went to 125th Street. Nobody went there who wasn’t dressed. At 125th Street, nobody knew I had rats, nobody knew I had roaches, and that for me was the birth of dandyism because I saw the power of transformation that could take place with your clothes.”
To see the full Dandy Land editorial and explore the stories behind each image, check out the full spread on GQand get ready for the MET stairs to turn into a Black fashion masterclass next month.
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