The Keith Lee effect is rarely something restaurateurs ever take for granted.
The MMA fighter-turned-social media star reviews restaurants with an emphasis on local businesses to increase the client base of said business. Since last year, Lee and his family have traveled around North America as he’s reviewed food spots in various cities.
The “Keith Lee Effect” is after he gives a spot a good review, the waiting lines to order are longer than they ever have been and a business with previously little-to-no-traffic gets the free marketing the best ad companies could wish for. It could also result in many poor online reviews if Lee wasn’t a fan of an establishment’s options or customer service.
Lee is traveling with his family to show networks and streaming services the numbers he can bring if they wanted to give him an official production. Now, thanks to the Keith Lee Effect, it’s an event when the social media star with over 16 million followers on TikTok announces his arrival in a metropolitan area.
Lee was in Atlanta in April and hosted a free food giveaway in the city. Multiple local businesses showed up and provided their services for no charge, including EggRoll Boyz, a food truck located in metro area. At the event, Dave Wright, owner of EggRoll Boyz, spoke to rolling out.
What do you all sell at EggRoll Boyz?
We’ve got gourmet egg rolls from all over the world. You’ve got your Philly, you’ve got your Cajun, you’ve got your Bayou. We’ve got anything you can think of; we put it into an egg roll and make it taste amazing for you.
Did you guys know you would be out here at the Keith Lee pop-up today?
We literally saw it.
One of our core values is community activism and being a part of our community. Our slogan, if you will, is: Good food, good service, good vibes.
One of the ways we bring good vibes into the world is being a part of our community. So when we saw it posted from Keith Lee, we jumped and said, “Hey, we’re going to be there.”
How thankful are you for Keith Lee providing this platform for Atlanta businesses?
I want to answer that twofold.
So, I’m thankful to Keith Lee for the platform he’s built and building for foodies and influencers and for restaurants to be able to get their name out.
At the same time, I’m grateful we have avenues available like this pop-up to be able to get our name out and to be able to serve good food into the community. That’s a part of our vibe; it’s what we do.
Where can people find you online?
On social media, you can catch us @eggrollboyz. We’re also on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X.
For more information, you can go to our website, eggrollboyz.com. You can get booking information, check out where our trucks are going to be, [and] see where the restaurant is.
We have a brand-new restaurant opening in Helen, [Georgia], in a couple of weeks. Restaurant number three. So we’re excited. We’re growing in leaps and bounds. We’re here to serve as the community. Like I said, good food, good service, good vibes — that’s what we’re here for.
Have y’all run out of food today?
We absolutely ran out of food. We’re literally out of egg rolls and fries.
How long did it take?
About an hour and a half, almost two hours.
And the food was free?
Everything was free today. Like I said, we serve the community. We jumped at the opportunity to come out and just be a part of what’s happening right here.
