Lee’s personal TikTok has introduced followers to different types of cuisines, shared incredible background stories of business and most importantly, helped many struggling restaurants.

“A lot of times I see that restaurants have amazing customer service, they have amazing food, the passion is there, and when it comes to the actual product they put out – most of what I’ve seen has been amazing,” he told us.

The father of two noted the one thing that seemed to be missing.

“It’s just the platform that’s needed and the media presence,” he continued. “I’m just thankful to do that between myself and now with Pepsi. To be a media platform, boost something they’re already doing, and allow the rest of the nation to see that they already had a great product and customer service. They just need eyes on them.”

“I’m fortunate that people’s response to my honest food reviews has turned into a platform that has made a difference for local businesses across the country,” said Lee. “That’s why I’m excited to pay that forward for Black-owned restaurants with Pepsi Dig In. The Restaurant Royalty program is about spreading the word to celebrate great food and boosting businesses along the way. I can’t wait to see what people recommend and discover more new spots to try.”

Pepsi Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty program is a way for foodies to share their favorite Black-owned restaurants and discover new ones while driving business growth and visibility for these restaurants long term. To celebrate the Restaurant Royals, Pepsi Dig In is leveraging its partnership with MGM Resorts International to bring a restaurant to Las Vegas to showcase its signature dish on one of the country’s most prominent culinary stages.

To help consumers find local Black-owned restaurants near them, Pepsi Dig In has continued its ongoing partnership with EatOkra, the largest database of Black-owned restaurants. The 10 Restaurant Royals will be announced later this summer via EatOkra leading up to Pepsi Dig In Day, an annual celebration to inspire Americans to show love for their favorite local Black-owned eateries.

Lee looks for a couple of things when he goes into an eatery. These factors may help you when nominating your favorite restaurant for the Pepsi Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty program.

“Number one is customer service, for sure. I deal with social anxiety,” he said. “It presents itself when I’m in really large crowds or unsure of what’s going on. That’s when I started getting anxious. I usually call my order in before I go in, and the food is ready. So it helps me to be able to go in and grab the food and just go in in the car or like eating in solidarity.”

Aside from customer service and accessibility, Lee says the food has to taste good.

“Balancing food flavors. I don’t really like super spicy or super sweet. I like things that balance. I like a sweet and spicy or salty and spicy like that. That’s my go-to. If you can balance flavors, that’s my type of place.”

And he’s all about the ambiance.

“I’ll point out the decor,” he explained. “I really like a welcoming environment. So when you go into a spot, and you’re like, ‘OK, this food about to be good.’ I feel like as a foodie, you can feel it the second you walk in the door.”

Affordability is the last but most crucial factor on the Lee restaurant grade scale.

“Especially in today’s climate, and the people who watch me and follow me, we are all foodies at heart, but we also want to be able to afford the food.”

While Lee is excited Pepsi Dig In will allow these restaurants to get the platform they deserve, he is highly enthusiastic about the new locations that will be added to his list of spots to check out.

“I’m just here to continue the fight that we’ve [both himself and Pepsi Dig In] both been on and the continued effort to get people to go out and explore new things, go out and nominate new restaurants that we’ve never heard of,” he said. “And more importantly, I’m excited as a foodie. I want to see some of these restaurants that people are talking about, and I want to see some of these restaurants that people love. It’s just going to be another restaurant to add to my pick list when I go to different places, especially if they’re here in Vegas. So I feel like the foodie in me is excited just to see the things that people enjoy too.”

Lee says you don’t need a TikTok with millions of followers to support local restaurants. Helping them is as simple as going to eat and spreading the word. 

Pepsi Dig In made its contest submission process just as simple. 

To nominate your favorite Black-owned restaurants, visit DigInShowLove.com.

In addition to the grand prize, 10 Restaurant Royals will have the chance to receive additional amplification across Pepsi Dig In and EatOkra’s social channels and to be enrolled in Black Restaurants Deliver. This eight-week program offers personalized expert consulting services to support restaurants in building online ordering capabilities and search presence.

Black Restaurants Deliver upskills to restaurateurs and their offerings to increase long-term sales and revenue. Five Restaurant Royals will also have the chance to receive $10,000 in digital media buys for their businesses.

One grand prize winner will be awarded a trip for two to Las Vegas in February 2024, plus tickets to football’s biggest game on February 11 and a chance to dine at Pepsi Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty Residency at MGM Resorts International. 

One first-prize winner will be awarded a trip for two to New York City for an exclusive experience at Platform by the James Beard Foundation ⁠— a brand-new show kitchen, educational hub, and event space for culinary arts programming at Pier 57’s newly launched Market 57 food hall, featuring Black chefs from across the country in partnership with Pepsi Dig In. 

For more information, visit PepsiDigIn.com and follow @pepsidigin on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.