By Leroy Adams

Why This Keith Lee Invite Is Bigger Than a Viral Moment

When food writer and Culture Travels contributor Marie posted a recent Instagram reel inviting Keith Lee to visit San Antonio, she wasn’t just trying to jump on a viral moment. She was standing in a historic spot—on the railroad tracks that run through the city’s East Side—and doing something long overdue: telling the truth about San Antonio’s food scene and the legacy of systemic oversight that still shapes it.

Her message was simple but layered: There’s so much more to this city than downtown and the River Walk.

And she’s right.

San Antonio is a city with soul. But like many cities across the country, its development has often come at the cost of its most historic communities. In the 1960s, Interstate 37 was constructed straight through the heart of the East Side, San Antonio’s historically Black neighborhood. The construction displaced over 2,000 residents and physically separated the East Side from the city’s economic core, downtown. At the same time, HemisFair ‘68 pushed for rapid development that further displaced Black and Brown communities. That highway didn’t just cut through streets—it severed decades of economic and cultural connection.

Marie’s reel, which has been shared, saved, and commented on by hundreds, puts a spotlight on what’s still happening today: small, community-rooted businesses—particularly Black-owned restaurants—are being overlooked in favor of trendy, downtown spots. Even during massive events like the NCAA Men’s Final Four, businesses located just blocks away from the Alamodome report little to no uptick in foot traffic or revenue.

And that’s not just anecdotal—it’s generational. As one commenter wrote:

“The history of that corner and all of St. Paul Square leading into the East Side is so rich with stories of forgotten Black-owned businesses and legends who came through SATX… This should be highlighted and celebrated much more than it is.”

The reel includes visuals of iconic local restaurants—spots like Tanks Pizza, PourBox Coffee, and J’s Eatery—each serving up culture with every bite. These aren’t just restaurants. They’re recovery zones for the economic wounds caused by redlining, disinvestment, and displacement.

The community responded quickly and powerfully:

That’s impact.

San Antonio is filled with culinary gems outside of the downtown corridor—family-run kitchens, neighborhood coffee trucks, food trailers, soul food joints, taquerias, and vegan spots that are as authentic as they are under-celebrated.

The ask of Keith Lee wasn’t about fame—it was about economic equity. It was about what happens when national attention meets local stories. It was about culture being a catalyst for real change.

“Doechii and Keith Lee in San Antonio in the same month? That’s a cultural shift,” one follower commented. “We support this message!! 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️”

I-37 and the Displacement of San Antonio’s East Side

As Marie leaves the tracks, she leads her audience toward Interstate 37—an aging stretch of highway that many San Antonians drive every day without realizing its history. Her camera captures the road’s path as it slices through neighborhoods, giving viewers a visual of the barrier that displaced thousands of East Side residents. The construction of I-37 in the 1960s didn’t just build a highway—it fractured a community, walling off Black neighborhoods from the economic prosperity of downtown. It’s a story that echoes through Richmond, Tulsa, and Detroit—and it’s still playing out in San Antonio.

From there, Marie shifts gears and shows viewers what they should see—an array of restaurants across the city that reflect the real flavor and soul of San Antonio. Each clip is a love letter to local food: pizza shops, soul food counters, taquerías, mom-and-pop trailers—all pushing forward with heart, and often overlooked.

Three Reasons San Antonio Deserves a Deeper Food Spotlight

As she closes the video, Marie lays out three compelling reasons why someone like Keith Lee should come experience the food culture beyond downtown:

1. San Antonio is growing faster than any city in the U.S.
From July 2022 to July 2023, nearly 22,000 people moved to the city—more than any other city in the country. With over 1.5 million residents, San Antonio is now the seventh most populous city in the U.S., surpassing even Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Houston in growth. This kind of expansion is attracting national brands and major investments, like the downtown stadium underway for the San Antonio Spurs—built where the Texas Institute of Culture once stood. But Marie asks: Who’s making sure local businesses benefit from this growth? Her hope is that a visit from someone like Keith could redirect some of that spotlight.

2. Local restaurants need the kind of boost that major events can’t offer.
The NCAA Final Four just brought thousands to San Antonio, yet many restaurants within walking distance of the Alamodome saw little to no uptick in sales. These aren’t just businesses—they’re community hubs still recovering from the pandemic. And while big events come and go, a visit from a trusted, culturally connected food reviewer could make a lasting impact.

3. San Antonio is a cultural food city—and it's not just tacos and BBQ.
Yes, the tacos are top-tier. But the city also offers soul food, Thai, Vietnamese, creative fusions, and culinary stories from around the world—all layered into the fabric of a community that’s been historically underrepresented in national food conversations. A visit here could showcase a depth of culture and cuisine that rivals any major food city.

In the comment section of Marie’s reel, someone noted, “He already visited San Antonio, he went to the Pearl.” And if that’s true, Marie would say—that’s exactly the point. The Pearl, a beautifully curated extension of downtown, is the city’s tourism darling. But it’s also a symbol of gentrification, one that displaced long-time residents as it grew into an Instagrammable playground. Marie wants to show the San Antonio beyond the marketing campaigns—the one that still tells its own story, on its own terms.

Her video resonated with the community, and the comment section proves it: