The Keith Lee Effect

Yep. It’s a thing.

You may or may not already know. Depending on how many posts you have read, but when I am not home writing/baking. I work at a Supportive Living Residence during the week, then at our family’s carry out place on the North side.

It is a literal mom/pop. My husband built the counter, tables, we painted the inside, the awning, it was a formally a Harold’s Chicken. We have great food, great customer service, but business was painfully slow. We had just started to get our regulars but regulars were not enough. We were struggling, hitting that 10 month mark, then my daughter posted a T*kT*k. Gasp. It told the truth, I kind of hated it. But it was the truth. My husband was busting his arse every day; he does have a passion for food. Our food is homemade and awesome. We were on the cusp of closure.

Then people responded, and responded, and responded. They stared tagging Keith Lee, food critic, influencer, supporter of struggling mom and pops. When he announced that he was returning to Chicago, of course people started to tag him even more in our posts.

And then, he showed up.

They ordered via DoorDash for anonymity. Someone else picked up the order and in the time I suppose it takes to eat/commentate/review/record, they all arrived. My husband was working alone. The restaurant, empty. My husband was shooketh, ha! It was all recorded, of course. Keith Lee left $3,000 to pay for future customer purchases, and a $1,000 tip. The next day, chaos.

I had to get my shifts covered at the last minute to help at the restaurant, going from part-time to no-time. No time to sleep in, no time to write, no time to think.

And I loved it, except for getting my arse kicked on the daily. This 51 year old hasn’t moved like that, for a decade? More? This was the dream. But now, my husband isWe needed this injection but we are not resting on our laurels. We have never waited around for luck, for anything, really. I’m leaving my job to firmly place MOM in our Mom & Pop.

@bestdatefoodTake a look at @amici chicago today after the @Keith Lee effect from the first stop of his Chicago food tour! #chicago #chicagofood #keithlee #keithleeeffect

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