Viral critic Keith Lee gave a glowing review of Pakistani Tex-Mex restaurant Halal Fusions to his 16 million followers.
DALLAS — The waiting room at Halal Fusions in Farmers Branch was packed Tuesday afternoon. Because small businesses got a huge boost on Monday.
“Honestly, we're really blessed,” owner Ahmed Siyaji told WFAA.
In case you haven't heard yet, viral TikTok food critic Keith Lee is coming to Dallas. On Monday, he gave his nearly 16 million followers a glowing review of the Pakistani Tex-Mex fusion joint.
“It's cheap, the meat falls off the bone, and it's soft!” Lee says in the video.
In response, hundreds of people flocked to try Halal Fusions on Tuesday, which is run entirely by Siyaji.
“It's a huge amount of traffic,” he said.
The dishes Siyaji cooks pay homage to her late mother's recipes. He said revitalizing business means everything.
“It means so much to see the community show so much support,” he told WFAA.
There was so much support that he was forced to stop taking orders. Erica Watson told WFAA she was one of many who waited more than three hours for her order.
“So it's worth the wait!” she exclaimed. “Lo and behold, I got 10 tacos!”
However, not all of Lee's reviews are so kind.
“It felt like I got shot in the heart a little bit, so it was a little tough,” Holly Contreras, Thunderbird Pie's director of catering, told WFAA.
Lee revealed in another video that he didn't like their food.
“If you haven't tried us, come out and give your opinion,” she told WFAA. “We won the top 50 restaurants in DFW, so that's not the consensus for the area, but we welcome your input.”
Contreras said she hopes one man's comments don't take you away from the food that the staff is so dedicated to.
“That's great!” one customer could be heard saying.
Thunderbird's loyal customers stopped by to show their support and share their reviews.
“Cheese on the side, cheese rind, everyone should know about that!” the customer continued.
