I went to the Raleigh cafe that TikToker Keith Lee visited. Here’s what I got for under $25
Nearly every local foodie has been hungry to see which North Carolina restaurants will get a surprise visit from one of the most popular internet food critics.
Former MMA fighter turned social media restaurant reviewer Keith Lee is eating his way across the state spotlighting local food and drink spots with his first few stops in the Triangle.
After taste testing Hibachi Papi and Cook Out, he made his way to Raleigh and picked a place known for its menu and mission: A Place at the Table, the city’s first pay-what-you-can cafe downtown.
A Place At The Table’s payment options
Designed to provide “community and good food for all regardless of means,” there are multiple options to cover a meal at the nonprofit cafe:
Paying the suggested price
Paying at least $3 for a meal
Volunteering at least an hour in the cafe
Paying using a PLACE Card
Paying it forward with a tip or by buying a $10 PLACE Card to hand out in the community
Families can also dine in the cafe for free once a week.
As a newbie to the area, I hadn’t heard of the nonprofit cafe before watching his video. But after his praise of their chicken and waffles (rated 8/10), stellar Southern hospitality from the volunteer staff and its process for helping those in need, I was even more excited to visit sooner rather than later.
Though I wasn’t able to volunteer during my visit during my work day (I definitely want to go back!), I was surprised at the many options available for breakfast, brunch and lunch all made with locally sourced ingredients — which made it even harder to decide what to get between the sandwiches, soups, salads and more.
And not because of the price, but simply because there were so many delicious choices that all fell under my $25 budget, including vegan and vegetarian options as well.
A Place At The Table menu
Going with some of their newer menu items recommended by Emily Weidman, director of partnerships and community engagement, here’s everything I got for $21 (before tax and tip):
Avocado toast made with guacamole, cherry tomatoes, two eggs, feta cheese and cilantro ($13)
Fruit salad ($4)
Oatmeal Cream Cookie ($4)
Whether it’s breakfast or brunch, paying the suggested price for any menu item at A Place At The Table will cost you less than $15.
The cafe’s breakfast entrees, lunch meals — served with a side, soups and salads range from $10-$15. Kids meals, which come with fruit, milk or juice and a cookie, are $7 Sides are $4. The cafe’s menu also includes coffee and espresso sourced from Black & White Coffee Roasters from $2.75-$5.75.
In line with its impact of addressing food insecurity in Raleigh, all tips are considered donations to the cafe’s mission.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM with the headline "I went to the Raleigh cafe that TikToker Keith Lee visited. Here’s what I got for under $25."
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