Well known and loved food critic and TikTok content creator Keith Lee recently began investigating how specific fast-food chains are staying afloat.
Earlier this month, Lee posted his first video in a series he’s calling “Who’s Keeping Them Alive?” where he deep dives into a few specific chains that many may think have died off but are actually doing very well. He has since posted a few others and each of the videos in the series have quickly gone viral.
Keith Lee Wonders Out Loud Who Still Eats Long John Silver’s
In a TikTok video shared on October 1, Lee, known for his viral food videos, explores how fast-food chain Long John Silver’s is continuing to stay in business.
“Do you eat Long John Silver’s? I can’t hear you, but I feel like more likely the answer is no,” he began his video while holding up a bag of food from Long John Silver’s. “But yet, they made $500 million last year, and it’s a bunch of other restaurants like them, so this is the first episode of a new series; it’s called ‘Who’s Keeping Them Alive?”
He then said his famous phrase, “I got it, let’s try it,” adding, “and see if we gonna become one of the people keeping them alive.”
Lee spend $48.88 on a few different menu items to see just what’s going on at the once popular fast-food joint. He shared that the outside of the building made him feel like he “went back to the ’90s,” calling it, “the definition of a retro old school restaurant.”
Before diving into his taste test, he shared, “I’ve asked almost everybody in my family and they say they haven’t had Long John Silver’s in years, but they know they don’t like it. I feel the same way and I don’t know why.”
“So it really leaves me to wonder why do they got this reputation?” he added. “Let’s find out together.”
Lee got a grilled salmon plate on a bed of rice with corn and green beans, battered cod with waffle fries and corn, a chicken meal with hush puppies and cheese bites, a fish taco, and a Cheesecake Factory chocolate cheesecake. “They partner with the Cheesecake Factory and they get fresh Alaskan cod from Alaska,” he said. “Where have I been? Am I the only one that don’t know this?”
Lee then tried a few bites of each of the menu items he purchased and rated each one (check out his video for his ratings.) “Overall, my conclusion is I still don’t know who’s keeping them in business,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m gonna be one of them.”
Lee’s video quickly went viral with more than 5 million views and 17,000 comments. It seemed like much of the comment section claimed to be helping Long John Silver’s stay afloat.
“Im keeping them alive…gotta have the malt vinegar,” one person wrote. Another added, “It’s me yall, I’m keeping them alive. I love them hush puppies BADDDDD.” Another viewer shared, “Long John’s is fire.”
Many others asked Lee to review Arby’s next, but that’s not where he was heading!
Part 2 Of ‘Who’s Keeping Them Alive?’ Focused On Golden Corral
For part 2 of the series that grabbed tons of attention, Lee decided to see how Golden Corral was staying alive.
“They made almost $4 billion last year,” he said shockingly. “I got it, let’s try it, and see if we gonna become one of the people that’s keeping them alive.”
He started off by saying, “It’s 5:55 in the afternoon and it is jumping like the club on a Saturday.” He also shared that he hasn’t had Golden Corral “since being an adult.” He then went inside to see if it’s “nostalgia that’s bringing people in” or if it’s actually the food.
He said it cost $102 for four people, before trying out a few of the buffet options.
“Overall, in my opinion, the best things was the chicken, even though it was a little greasy after a while, the Bourbon chicken over rice and the waffle,” he concluded his video. “But that steak was overly well done and had no flavor in my opinion. Nothing else really stood out to me. But overall, do I see who’s keeping them in business? Absolutely, cause again, it was booming in there.”
He finished by saying he will not be one of the people “keeping them alive.”
Viewers shared their thoughts on Golden Corral in the comments. “This is nostalgia. After church, graduation, family get together vibes fasho lol,” one person wrote. Another said, “Golden Corral as a kid was so legendary…they let themselves go…as soon as they took away the chocolate fountain stuff wasn’t the same.”
Part 3: Church’s Chicken
For part 3 of the new series, Lee decided to try out Church’s Chicken.
“Do you eat Church’s Chicken? I can’t hear y’all but I feel like some of y’all said yes, but not enough people to explain how they the number 10 chicken restaurant and they made $1.2 billion last year,” he started his video. “But me personally, I don’t know a single person that eats at Church’s Chicken.”
He shared that he spent $22.89 at a Church’s Chicken in Dallas, Texas. Lee raved about the customer service at the drive thru before showing the food that he purchased to try – a two-piece box mix, one spicy, one original, with mashed potatoes and gravy, six original flavor party wings, an original chicken sandwich, a jalapeno, a side of gravy, and an apple pie.
“Overall, I can absolutely see who’s keeping them in business,” he concluded his video after rating each menu item. “And I’m adding my name to the list. And I’m going on the record and saying that by far is the best fast food fried chicken I have ever had.”
Viewers Agree With Keith Lee’s Thoughts On Church’s Chicken
Lee’s video, that he posted only three days ago, quickly grabbed 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 comment section.
“I am craving Church’s Chicken now. Try the jalapeno bombers and dip them in mashed potatoes 10/10,” one person wrote. Another added, “I love Church’s, them honey butter biscuits undefeated.” One other person shared, “Great after this video goes viral, there’s going to be a longer wait or shortage of chicken at Church’s.”
Where do you think Keith Lee should go next in his “Who’s Keeping Them Alive?” series? Many commenters asked him to go to Arby’s. Do you agree or do you feel there’s another spot that’s worth checking out?
