2 Chainz Defends Celebrity Perks In Keith Lee Restaurant Debate

2 Chainz defended the perks of fame in a disagreement with Keith Lee over restaurant reviews. Lee stood by judging the service a regular customer would get.

The two discussed Lee’s criticism of Esco Restaurant & Tapas on Kirk Franklin’s “Den of Kings.” For the rapper, better treatment came with the work he had put into his career. For the food reviewer, being recognized could change the very experience he was there to assess.

“I’m an entertainer, and obviously we get perks that other people don’t get. That’s just period, my boy,” 2 Chainz said.

He pointed to skipping airport lines as an example. He also questioned whether Lee’s diet as a former athlete shaped his restaurant judgments.

Lee defended sending relatives to place orders without revealing his identity. That allowed him to judge what paying customers could expect, rather than what staff would do for a famous guest.

The dispute involved a business 2 Chainz had built beyond music. He and partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard had pursued Esco franchises outside Atlanta. Dillard described the concept in 2022: “We’re a restaurant during the day, lounge by night. That’s the culture we create.”

Lee’s stance had already shaped his 2023 Atlanta food trip, when he visited for ONE Music Fest. His complaints went beyond taste to whether people could order food or get a seat.

At Kandi Burruss’ Old Lady Gang, he said his family faced a 90-minute wait, only for staff to offer him a seat as soon as he entered. He left instead.

At The Real Milk and Honey, Lee said relatives were turned away for “deep cleaning” while other people picked up food. He said he again left after a server recognized him and offered service.

His trip also brought praise for Jamaican Jerk Biz, The Dining Experience and Juci Jerk.