Keith Lee’s food adventures in Dallas have recently encountered an unexpected detour, shifting the focus from delicious discoveries to a local food truck controversy. This incident involving Sweetly Seasoned food truck has sparked online debate and highlights the complexities that can arise even from acts of generosity.
Last week, Kim Viverette, the owner of Sweetly Seasoned, a Dallas-based food truck specializing in Southern cuisine, found herself at the center of a social media storm. The controversy erupted after Lee, known for his viral food reviews and generous tips, visited her food truck. During his visit, Lee tipped Viverette a substantial $4,000, intending for her to share it with two other local businesses – a barbershop and a hair braider. The idea was to “pay it forward,” offering free meals to Sweetly Seasoned’s customers and complimentary hair services at the other establishments.
However, Lee’s philanthropic plan went awry. Viverette allegedly decided to keep the entire tip, believing it was solely for her business and not meant to be distributed. This decision ignited a firestorm online, rapidly escalating across social media platforms.
The situation quickly spiraled as users on social media accused Viverette of misappropriating funds. Despite Viverette’s denials and explanations, the online community’s reaction was swift and critical, urging her to redistribute the money as Lee had intended. The intense backlash led to a wave of negative reviews on Sweetly Seasoned’s Facebook page, with many citing the $4,000 tip incident and labeling Viverette as selfish and dishonest.
Lee addressed the controversy in a TikTok video, offering his perspective on the situation. While acknowledging the online reaction and memes, Lee stated, “I am not in the business of shutting businesses down.” He expressed his disappointment that his intentions were disregarded, emphasizing that his wish was for the money to be shared to benefit the community. “For the mom to go to the back end and disregard where my heart was at and what I felt like God was telling me to do in that moment and distribute the money how she felt necessary is 100% wrong in my opinion,” Lee explained in his video. He clarified his role, stating, “We just ate the food and left the tip,” distancing himself from the subsequent online fallout while still expressing his viewpoint on the matter.
Amidst the Sweetly Seasoned controversy, another Dallas food business, Seasoned Street Food, became inadvertently entangled in the online storm. Due to the similarity in names, Jonathan Evola, the owner of Seasoned Street Food, reported receiving a barrage of angry calls and messages. Customers, mistaking his food truck for Sweetly Seasoned, directed their criticism and accusations at his business. This case of mistaken identity underscores the potential downsides of viral online events, where even businesses indirectly connected can suffer reputational damage.
This incident brings to light a less discussed aspect of the “Keith Lee Effect.” While Lee’s reviews have undeniably boosted numerous Dallas food businesses, including Halal Fuzionz, Hutchins BBQ, and Absolutely Edible Cakes, this situation with the Sweetly Seasoned food truck demonstrates that the intense spotlight can also bring unforeseen challenges and negative consequences. The Dallas food scene, while benefiting from Lee’s attention, is also navigating the complexities of viral fame and online public opinion.
