The aroma of Lucali’s pizza crust mingles with the savory perfume of Katz’s pastrami this Saturday as seventeen million TikTok followers materialize in real life when viral food critic Keith Lee brings his Family Style Food Festival to Brooklyn’s Industry City. The May 17 event transforms the industrial complex into an epicurean playground where the digital influence that has resurrected struggling restaurants nationwide takes physical form in a celebration that bridges the gap between culinary excellence and street culture.
This festival marks a significant milestone for New York’s food scene, creating a unique cultural moment where social media virality meets the tangible satisfaction of breaking bread together. Keith Lee has built his empire through straightforward, in-car restaurant reviews that have launched small businesses into overnight sensations.
“I take food very seriously,” Lee emphasized in his festival announcement, a philosophy evident in the carefully curated vendor list that reads like a who’s who of New York dining. Festival attendees can taste the buttery crust and tangy tomato of Lucali’s coveted pizzas alongside Katz’s legendary pastrami with its perfect balance of smoke and spice that melts against freshly steamed rye.
The festival offers more than just standard food vendor booths. Exclusive collaborations create one-of-a-kind offerings you won’t find anywhere else, such as the Scallion Pancake Burrito with Char Sui from Wah Tea Lor and Forsyth Fire Escape – a crispy-chewy pancake wrapper enfolding caramelized pork with its sweet-savory glaze and bright scallion bite. Don’t miss Greenberg’s bagel sandwich featuring Hometown BBQ bacon, where the crackling pork meets the chewy-yet-tender bagel with a symphony of textures elevating breakfast to art form.
What sets Family Style apart from typical food festivals is its seamless integration of cuisine with streetwear and music. Clothing brands including The Hundreds will offer exclusive merchandise drops throughout the day. Meanwhile, live music and cultural programming create an atmosphere more akin to a block party than a traditional tasting event.
Founded in 2019 in Los Angeles by Ben Shenassar, Bobby Kim of The Hundreds, and Miles Canares, the festival was acquired by Complex in 2024, expanding its cultural footprint. This NYC debut builds on successful runs in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where the event has become known for fostering community around independent restaurants.
For those planning to attend, strategic navigation is essential. Lines are expected to form quickly at popular vendors like Lucali and L’Industrie Pizza, making early arrival crucial. General admission tickets run just over $40, with advance purchase highly recommended as the event is likely to sell out.
The festival aims to be accessible and community-driven, aligning perfectly with Lee’s own approach to food criticism, where authenticity and family values take center stage. His reviews have driven viral success for small restaurants nationwide, earning him the nickname “People’s Champ” among food lovers.
Beyond the food, the festival promises to be a hub of social media activity. Major NYC outlets and food media are already spotlighting the event, with Keith Lee’s own TikTok providing real-time festival coverage. The hashtag #FamilyStyleNYC is expected to trend as attendees share their experiences.
For New Yorkers passionate about food culture, this festival represents a unique convergence of digital influence and real-world community. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or simply curious about the phenomenon that is Keith Lee, Family Style Food Festival offers a taste of New York’s diverse culinary landscape filtered through the lens of one of social media’s most trusted food critics. Just be sure to bring your appetite – and maybe an extra phone battery for all those food photos you’ll inevitably take.
While Keith Lee’s Family Style Food Festival offers an immediate taste of NYC’s food scene on May 17, culinary enthusiasts can continue their gastronomic journey when NYC’s top chefs serve up cultural fusion at The Great Nosh on June 22, providing back-to-back opportunities to experience the city’s vibrant food community.
