TikToker Keith Lee was 'not the target audience' for this family-owned Phoenix food truck

Keith Lee, a former MMA fighter and current social media food critic with 17 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has been in Arizona posting videos of his dining adventures around metro Phoenix for over a week after teasing his arrival in late February.

So far, he's posted videos spotlighting two Mesa restaurants — Republica Empanada and Myungrang Hotdogs — and Ace of Wingz in Phoenix. Over the weekend, Lee posted two more videos from his dining adventures in metro Phoenix, in which he finally tried Arizona staples — Mexican food from Juanderful Tacos and Navajo frybread from Hope's Frybread. Earlier this week, he visited Jewel's Bakery and Cafe, a popular gluten-free brunch spot in the Arcadia neighborhood in Phoenix.

His latest video went live on Wednesday night, Mar. 6, after he visited a Scottsdale-area food truck. Lee said the owner had reached out to him on social media more than any other restaurant.

Here's what Keith Lee thought of Hanas food truck.

'Crying. This is so amazing': Keith Lee reviewed a gluten-free brunch spot in Phoenix

Did Keith Lee like Hanas food truck?

Lee said the overall vibe of Hanas food truck was family-friendly and casual, like something that would be at a kid's birthday party or set up in front of a park.

He ordered Fritos elote, a watermelon pickle, honey barbecue wings, lemon pepper wings and three "snowball" snow cones.

The first thing he tried was the Fritos elote, which he rated 7 out of 10. He said it tasted "exactly how you think it's going to taste" based on the ingredients, which were corn, cheese, chili powder and mayo on top of Fritos.

The next thing he tried was the watermelon pickle, which he prefaced with, "I'm not a pickle person, and I'm for sure not a flavored pickle person, but my wife wanted to try this." His wife rated it a 4, but Lee passed altogether on rating it because he understood he was not the target audience.

"Some people might like that, but my opinion isn't going to be just on that since I'm not a fan of pickles," Lee said.

He had a similar realization about the snow cones. He said they mostly tasted like sweet ice and the strawberry shortcake flavor in particular "made (his) eyes water" because it was so sweet.

However, his wife said, "I could eat this all day."

Lee then rated the lemon pepper wing 5.5 out of 10 and the honey barbecue wing a 6.5 out of 10.

His overall consensus was that he was simply "not the target audience" for most of the snacks, but he understood that someone who enjoys sweets more than him might enjoy it.

"That's exactly what I always say. My tastebuds are not the end all be all. If you want to go try something, regardless of what I say, please go try it," Lee said.

Phoenix fans react to Keith Lee's rating of Hanas food truck

Several TikTok users commented support for Hanas food truck on Lee's video.

"Hanas don't miss... this I know first hand," wrote one commenter.

"I'm the target audience for all this. GIMME DAT," wrote another.

Hanas food truck also reposted the TikTok video to their Instagram page, thanking Lee and his family in the caption.

"I humbly thank you and your family for stopping by. Means the world to me and my business. (Ronnie) thank you for saving me. Lol. He don't like sweets lol. I'm on such a high right now.... I'm standing tall cause of God himself," read the post caption.

Who is Keith Lee?

Keith Lee started posting food reviews on TikTok in 2021. His videos are unique in that they all take place in his car. He's explained in the past that he sends in a member of his family to pick up takeout and eats it in his car to maintain anonymity for an experience closer to that of an average customer.

His TikTok videos have garnered over 700 million likes and he's gotten so popular, that the uptick in business at a restaurant he reviews has been dubbed "The Keith Lee" effect by Bon Appetit.

How to visit Hanas food truck

Check Hanas social media food truck pop up dates. They also offer catering services.

Details: @hanas__az on Instagram. facebook.com/hanaspdx.

'Never tried anything like this': How TikTok star Keith Lee rated Phoenix fry bread and tacos

Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Keith Lee reviewed Phoenix food truck Hanas. And he didn't love it