Food Critic Keith Lee names Milwaukee among most underrated cities

Milwaukee’s dining scene, long overshadowed by nearby Chicago, has found an unexpected champion in viral food critic Keith Lee, who recently named the city among America’s most underrated culinary destinations during an in-depth interview with Shannon Sharpe on Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast. The former MMA fighter turned digital tastemaker, whose reviews can transform small restaurants’ fortunes overnight, brings fresh attention to Milwaukee’s diverse food landscape that many critics have overlooked.

Lee, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree with over 19 million social media followers, places Milwaukee alongside cities like Baton Rouge, Detroit, and Seattle in challenging conventional wisdom about America’s food capitals. His endorsement carries significant weight – his reviews have helped transform over 150 family-owned establishments in the past year alone, often leading to dramatic increases in business within hours of posting.

“Milwaukee got a good food scene that’s pretty underrated,” Lee emphasized, contradicting traditional coastal-centric food narratives. His broader rankings of America’s top food cities – led by New Orleans, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, and Miami – suggest a shift in recognizing excellence beyond traditional culinary centers.

Lee’s journey to becoming a leading voice in food criticism began during the pandemic when he posted daily food reviews on TikTok. His systematic approach, which includes sending anonymous family members to restaurants and providing substantial tips to help businesses prepare for increased demand, has redefined digital food criticism.

His rise represents a democratization of food criticism, particularly benefiting cities like Milwaukee with rich culinary traditions but limited national exposure. Through his platform, Lee has highlighted overlooked restaurants and reshaped how Americans discover and experience their local food scenes.