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Famous and popular food critic and TikTok content creator Keith Lee they recently began investigating the survival of certain fast food chains.
Earlier this month, Lee posted his first video in a series he calls “Who’s Keeping Alive?” where he dives into several specific chains that many may think are dead but are doing very well. He has since posted a few more and each video in the series has quickly gone viral.
Keith Lee finds out strongly who will eat long John Silver
In a TikTok video shared on October 1, Lee, who is known for his viral food videos, examines how the fast food chain Long John Silver’s continues to stay in business.
“Do you eat Long John Silver? “But still, they did $500 million last year, and there are a bunch of other restaurants like them, so this is the first episode of a new series; is “Who is keeping them alive?”
He then said his famous quote, “I got it, let’s try it,” he said, “and see if we become one of the people who keep them alive.”
Lee spends $48.88 on several different tables to see what’s going on at the once popular fast food joint. He said the exterior of the building made him feel like he was “going back to the ’90s,” adding, “the definition of an old-school retro restaurant.”
Before diving into his taste test, he said, “I’ve asked almost everyone in my family and they say they haven’t had Long John Silver in years, but they know they don’t like it. I feel the same way and I don’t know why.”
“So it leaves me wondering why they got this reputation? He added. “We have to figure it out together.”
Lee got a plate of grilled salmon on a bed of rice with corn and green beans, battered cod with waffle fries and corn, a chicken dish with hush puppies and cheese bites, a fish taco, and Cheesecake Factory chocolate cheesecake. “They partner with the Cheesecake Factory and they get fresh Alaska cod from Alaska,” he said. “Where have I been? Am I the only one who doesn’t know this?”
Lee then tried a few bites of each record he bought and rated each one (check out his video for his ratings.) “Overall, my conclusion is that I still don’t know who’s keeping them in business,” he said. “But I don’t think I’ll be one of them.”
Lee’s video quickly went viral with over 5 million views and 17,000 comments. Many in the comments section seemed to say that helped Long John Silver stay away.
“I’m keeping them alive… gotta have the malt vinegar,” wrote one person. Another said, “It’s me, I keep them alive. I love them, hush puppies BADDDDD.” Another viewer said, “John is a fire.”
Many others asked Lee to review the next Arby’s, but that’s not where he was going!
Part 2 of ‘Who’s Keeping Them Alive?’ Focus on Golden Corral
For part 2 of the series that caught a lot of attention, Lee decided to see how Golden Corral lived.
“They made almost $4 billion last year,” he marveled. “I got it, let’s try it, and see if we become one of the people who keep them alive.”
He began by saying, “It’s 5:55 in the afternoon and it’s hopping like the Saturday club.” He also said he hadn’t had a Golden Corral “since he was an adult.” He then went inside to see if it was “nostalgia that brings people in” or if it was really the food.
He said he spent $102 for four people, before trying a few of the buffet options.
“Overall, in my opinion, the chicken was the best, even if it was a little greasy after a while, Bourbon chicken over rice and the waffle,” he concluded his video. “But that steak was too well done and lacked flavor in my opinion. Nothing else really stood out to me. But overall, do I see who is keeping them in business? Sure, why again, it was succeeding there.”
He concluded by saying that he would not be one of the people to “keep them alive.”
Viewers shared their thoughts on Golden Corral in the comments. “This is nostalgia. After church, graduation, family get together feeling fasho lol,” one person wrote. Another said, “The Golden Corral as a child was so legendary…they let themselves go…as soon as they took it away the chocolate fountain stuff wasn’t the same.”
Part 3: The Church Hen
For part 3 of the new series, Lee decided to try Church’s Chicken.
“Do you eat the Church’s chicken? I can’t hear it but I feel like some of you said yes, but there are not enough people to explain how they made the number 10 chicken restaurant and made $1.2 billion last year,” he began his video. “But me personally, I don’t know a single person who eats at the Church Chicken.”
He said he spent $22.89 at Church’s Chicken in Dallas, Texas. Lee raved about the customer service at the drive-thru before showing off the food he bought to try – a two-piece box combo, one spicy, one original, with mashed potatoes and gravy, six original flavor party wings, an original chicken sandwich, jalapeno, a side of gravy, and an apple pie.
“Overall, I can definitely see who’s keeping them in business,” he concluded his video after rating each record. “And I’m adding my name to the list. And I’m going on the record and saying that’s the best fast fried chicken I’ve ever had.”
Viewers Agree With Keith Lee’s Comments On Church Chicken
Lee’s video, which he posted only three days ago, quickly caught tons of attention with 4.4 million views and 31,000 comments so far. Many viewers shared their love of Church’s Chicken in the comments section.
“I want the Church Chicken now. Try the jalapeño bombers and dip in mashed potatoes 10/10,” wrote one person. Another said, “I love the Church of the Church, these are harmless honey butter cookies.” Another person said: “Great after this video goes viral, there will be longer waits or chicken shortages at Churchyard.”
Where do you think Keith Lee should go in his movie “Who’s Keeping Alive?” series? Many reporters asked him to go to Arby’s. Do you agree or do you feel there is another area worth exploring?
