A Lexington restaurant is getting a lot of attention after Keith Lee, a popular TikTok influencer, recently posted a video review.
In the review, Lee shares a post he got from Tyleata Jones, the owner of JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More
Tyleata Jones (left), the owner of JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More in Lexington, with Keith Lee, a popular TikTok food reviewer.
Courtesy of JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More
In the message, she calls JJ’s Lexington’s first soul-food and black-owned restaurant, asks Lee to visit.
The message says that the restaurant is struggling after five years in business, having opened during the COVID pandemic, and could use a boost. “Honestly, I’m hanging on with a wing and a prayer, but I know God got me,” the message says. “I do a lot of community giving (because) I know how it feels to need a little extra lift and help. Please find it in your hearts to stop by.”
Lee ended up visiting on a day when JJ’s was closed. Jones opened and cooked just for him. He got a seafood boil with chicken instead of seafood.
After sampling it in the video, he gives the meal a score of eight out of 10.
The second half of the 4-minute video has footage of Lee and Jones, with her telling him about her struggles with racism and other issues as she has tried to build her business.
Food reviewer Keith Lee gave the chicken seafood boil (with wings instead of seafood) an “eight out of 10” from his visit to JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More in Lexington.
JJ's Mama's Soulfood & More
Lee offers her a $2,000 tip and $1,000 to give to the community.
“I love what you’re doing,” Lee tells her.
Lee has 17 million followers on his TikTok account. And his post from May 17 garnered more than 284,000 likes and 6,000 comments in three days.
Jones responded to the review in a post on the restaurant’s social media accounts, thanking Lee.
“God has been incredibly gracious to me!” she wrote.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out to me. It has been an incredibly busy time and the phones have been ringing nonstop. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from people all around the world…. The love and kindness you have shown me is nothing short of amazing.”
Lee, a former MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter, based in Texas, has reviewed several other N.C. restaurants this month, including the Cook Out and Hibachi Papi in Clayton; Crav’n Caribbean in Charlotte; and Madame B’s Bakery, Corner Boys BBQ and A Place at the Table Café in Raleigh.
Food reviewer Keith Lee gave the chicken seafood boil (with wings instead of seafood) an “eight out of 10” from his visit to JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More in Lexington.