A culinary influencer’s incredible act of kindness for a struggling restaurant

In a touching show of community support, a renowned food influencer Keith Lee recently traveled to Warner Robins, Georgia to help struggling family restaurant Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia. Lee’s visit was prompted by a viral TikTok video showing the restaurant’s problems, which resonated with him and prompted him to take action.

Social media has become a powerful tool for small businesses, especially during difficult times. Owners Tacos and Mariscos Ofelia shared their plight on TikTok, revealing that they had just reopened after being closed for two weeks due to financial difficulties.

“It’s very difficult for us to stay open. Please come and help,” the video says. “We’re a small Mexican restaurant that specializes in birria.”

This sincere request caught Lee’s attention and he immediately decided to help. Lee’s commitment to supporting local businesses is evident in his actions. After seeing the TikTok video, he and his family booked a two-hour flight and drove another two hours to get to the restaurant.

“The moment my family and I saw this video, we booked a two-hour flight and drove two hours from the airport to try this food to see what we thought was why (business) was slow,” Lee shared.

During his visit, Lee reviewed food at Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia, which specializes in birria, a traditional Mexican dish. He noticed that the entire family, including teenage children, were involved in the restaurant. Despite the challenges, Lee rated most of the dishes an impressive 8 out of 10, indicating that food quality was not an issue affecting the restaurant’s success.

In his criticism, Lee pointed to several factors that may be contributing to the restaurant’s difficulties, including the restaurant’s small-town location, which can limit foot traffic, and marketing efforts that may not reach the intended audience.

Lee’s support went beyond simply reviewing the food. In a remarkable act of kindness, he gifted the family money to pay their rent for the next three months, easing some of their financial burden.

“We met with the whole family and paid rent for the next three months. So they don’t have to worry about staying open yet… and we left $900 to pay everyone who comes after us,” Lee said.

With additional funds provided by Lee, customers were able to dine at Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia for free, which helped build goodwill and encourage more people to support the restaurant. This initiative shows how influencers can use their platforms to create positive change, especially within their communities.

Keith Lee’s visit to Tacos Y Mariscos Ofelia is a testament to the impact one person can have on a small business. By combining her food reviews with acts of generosity, Lee not only helps restaurants gain exposure, but also provides them with the financial support they desperately need. As more influencers and community members rally around local businesses, we can hope to see a resurgence of mom-and-pop eateries thriving in their neighborhoods.