Celebrity Critic Cancels Bay Area Tour Over Safety Fears

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• Keith Lee, a TikTok celebrity food critic with 15.6 million followers, canceled his Bay Area food tour due to safety concerns and subpar food options.
• Increased crime in Oakland and San Francisco, including a 37% rise in robberies involving firearms, influenced his decision.
• Lee experienced an allergic reaction to food in the Bay Area and was critical of the living conditions he observed, including tents and burned-out cars.

Celebrity food critic Keith Lee, known for his large following on TikTok, recently announced the premature end of his food tour in the Bay Area, citing significant safety and food quality concerns. Lee, who had planned an extensive visit to the region, expressed shock at the conditions he encountered in San Francisco and Oakland. He observed numerous tents, living structures, and burnt-out cars, which he interpreted as signs of a community struggling to survive with little city intervention.

The food experience also fell short of Lee's expectations. He visited six eateries but chose not to review them, stating that he had nothing constructive to say and did not want to tear down the establishments. This deviation from his usual practice of honesty and transparency in reviews represented a significant departure for Lee.

Safety concerns were a central aspect of his decision to abandon the tour. Lee highlighted the rising crime rates in Oakland, particularly the 37% increase in robberies involving firearms. Additionally, Lee had a personal health scare when he suffered an allergic reaction after consuming food in the area, despite requesting precautions from the restaurant.

The decline of the Bay Area's condition, including the closure of 95 retailers in downtown San Francisco since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the record-high office vacancy rates, paints a bleak picture of the region. The increase in crime, homelessness, and the impact on local businesses were all factors that contributed to Lee's decision to cut his trip short.

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