Charlotte’s food scene is ready for Keith Lee — here’s where locals say to start

There is only one question on Charlotte foodies’ minds right now: Which local spot is going to make it on Keith Lee’s food tour through the Carolinas?

One of the internet’s favorite “food critics” — who is also a former MMA fighter — has been making surprise visits to locally-owned businesses across the state and at least one homegrown North Carolina chain, Cook Out.

In his video about the “Familee Food Tour Show,” he admitted that he got the most votes in a poll to visit Raleigh over Charleston, Greenville and Durham.

But after getting more than 10,000 DMs telling him to go to Charlotte, he decided to add it to the list.

Since then, countless comments have flooded his posts (and ours, too!) with restaurant recommendations after his request for “mom and pop shops that have great food, great customer service, but can need the marketing for absolutely free.”

From food trucks to fine dining restaurants, here is a full list of where you told CharlotteFive that Keith Lee should visit around the Queen City:

Recs for the ‘Family Food Tour Show’

• Bep-pa

• Bird Pizzeria

• Bite Your Tongue Authentic New Orleans Cuisine

• Brooks Sandwich House

• Carolina Scoops Ice Cream

• Chubz Famous Chiliburger

• Customshop

• Dulce Dreams Cafe

• Dish

• Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar

• Hinson’s Drive In

• Ilios Crafted Greek

• The Improper Pig

• Jon G’s Barbecue

• Lang Van

• Leroy Fox

• Lil Papi’s International Deli

• Lobster Dogs

• Mic’s Kitchen

• Midwood Smokehouse

• Mike’s Vegan Grill

• Pinky’s Westside Grill

• Portofino’s

• Q’s Culinary Cart

• Rico’s Acai

• Stacks Kitchen

• Steak ‘n Hoagie Shop

Local spots hungry for a Keith Lee visit

Hey, Keith, this is for you. We also compiled a list of restaurants that personally shouted themselves out in the comments, hoping for a visit.

• Boujee Soul Food

• Cutting board CLT

• K-Loco

• Mac’s Speed Shop

• Mert’s Heart & Soul

• PIE.ZAA

• Schreiber’s on Rye

• Stephie’s Kitchen

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription