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A Las Vegas-based MMA fighter’s TikTok reviews of Atlanta restaurants caused a stir online that spilled into Fayetteville last week.
Keith Lee, who has been known for his straightforward food reviews of family-owned restaurants in Sin City, has been said to “cause chaos” in the Atlanta restaurant scene by sharing candid — but perfectly polite — accounts of strict ordering rules and poor customer service that sometimes left him without any food to review.
The controversy sparked discussion in Fayetteville about whether the food reviewer should come to the city.
A Fayetteville Foodies Facebook post on Friday asking Lee to visit the ‘ville got 417 likes and 34 shares. Many of the 156 comments dismissed that the city’s food scene was worth his time.
“No offense, but there’s nothing good in Fayetteville,” a typical comment read.
“It’ll be such a waste, the food here is disgusting,” one said.
“Don’t waste that man’s time,” another chimed in.
The sentiment is nothing new. For decades, locals and outsiders have bashed the Fayetteville food scene. In the mid-80s, Dr. Constantin Saliba, a surgeon, opened De Lafayette on Cliffdale Road because he wanted to eat an elegant dinner without traveling hours away.
“Eating out is the least desirable thing you can do in this town,” he told the Observer at the time.
Around the same time, chain restaurants began to open Fayetteville outposts, eager to capture the business of military transplants hungry for a taste of home. The corporate rush solidified the city’s meat-and-potatoes reputation that it has yet to shake.
Fayetteville, however, has more worldly flavors than other cities of the same size. Peruvian, Salvadorian, Nayarit, Afghan, West African, Haitian, Puerto Rican and Filipino cuisines have all found homes in the city.
At the same time, Fayetteville has not forgotten the flavors of its American Southern heritage. Barbecue food trucks and soul food stops seem to be as popular as ever.
Similarly, many of the long running Greek-owned spots that pioneered the Fayetteville food scene are still thriving. Superior Bakery has ranked among Yelp’s top doughnut shops for the last two years, and Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Chophouse has been recognized by Wine Spectator for its expansive vino selection.
Our people are impressive, too. Culinary talent from the Fayetteville area has landed on television shows like “Chopped,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “Nailed It!”
So, should Lee review Fayetteville restaurants? I say why not.
Happy eating,
Taylor
Taylor Shook writes about food, dining and business for The Fayetteville Observer. She can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter, or Facebook.