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'It was a nightmare' | Atlanta restaurant co-owner describes experience after viral food critic's review

The restaurant owner said he received death threats - and the review wasn't even really about his establishment.

ATLANTA — TikTok influencer and viral food critic Keith Lee spent the past week reviewing restaurants in metro Atlanta. While some restaurants benefited from his reviews, others did not. 

The Real Milk and Honey, in College Park, received a not-so-great review. However, a completely different restaurant, Milk and Honey, in Atlanta got some of the backlash. The restaurants are 20 minutes away from one another. 

Devon Green is a part owner at Milk and Honey.

"It's already a hard industry," Green said. "And reviews are good— positive or negative."

Green said he wants to earn them honestly though. He said his restaurant came first, but Lee's fans kept getting the two restaurants confused.

"A bomb from negative comments, death threats, threats to blow the building up, threats to end our business," Green said.

And when it started affecting the business, Green felt the need to speak up. 

"We started getting bad reviews on Yelp. People were calling our phones," Green continued. "It was a nightmare."

Lee has since released a video trying to clear up the confusion and denouncing some of his fans' reactions. 

His reviews also sparked conversations about Atlanta restaurant culture— rules and policies not seen in other cities. 

Credit: Instagram
Keith Lee as he embarked on his trip to Atlanta to review food at several restaurants.

RELATED: Viral food critic Keith Lee visits Atlanta, sparks debate around restaurant culture

Green said despite the grass wall in his restaurant, that's not how they roll.

"We actually allow reservations," Green said. "We have take out, to-go. We use Uber Eats. We do DoorDash. We actually employ a person just to take our orders."

The Atlanta Breakfast Club received criticism from Lee for some of their policies such as their reservation limitations and the dollar charge for butter. Anthony Sanders is the co-owner and chef of Good Food & Company. He explained why these policies are important.

"We set guidelines to expedite service because we have so many guests and customers that come to Atlanta," Sanders said. "We just want as many people as possible to be able to share it."  

Sander's restaurant didn't get the best review, but he's taking it in stride as he said most of their reviews are positive. 

"I didn't feel that what he said was offensive," Sanders said. "It was a perspective from someone from Detroit coming to Atlanta for the first time."

Sanders said the Atlanta Breakfast Club has been around for a decade— one of the pioneer, Black-owned breakfast restaurants in Atlanta. 

RELATED: Popular food reviewer Keith Lee leaves instant positive impact on one metro Atlanta eatery

"Come in and know for yourself, because I do believe we have some of the best service," Sanders said.

If anything, Sanders hopes the reviews can be used to bring restaurants together. 

"It allows a chance to observe and adjust," Sanders added. "'Can we do things better?' Yea. 'Will we do things better?' Of course!"

Lee posted a video discouraging his fans from spreading hate. 

@keith_lee125

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