Portland chef goes viral for showing off spaghetti tray and sliding in that it costs $100 — Fans split over price and portions [VIDEO]

Kees Loaded Kitchen’s $100 soul food platter sparks laughter, debates, and praise after a viral clip shows the owner sealing a cheesy spaghetti tray with flair — and collecting her cash like a boss.

In Portland, Oregon, a soul food kitchen just turned a regular food sale into a huge cultural moment. A 23-second clip from Kees Loaded Kitchen captured its charismatic owner, affectionately known as Big Kee, sealing up a massive tray of cheesy spaghetti, greens, and corn. After that, she smoothly pocketed a crisp $100 bill from a customer.

The moment was posted by @rahsh33m. It exploded to over 4.7 million views and 23,000 likes within 24 hours. It did so not just because of the food, but because of Big Kee’s unmatched sales swagger. Her matter-of-fact pitch (“Put this in the fridge, you got three servings”) began as a steep price tag. However, it turned into a masterclass in hustle, charm, and community-based marketing.

The $100 Tray That Started It All

The video opens on Kee in her signature red apron, stacking food like she’s feeding an army. She piles steaming, cheesy spaghetti into a foil tray so heavy it bends the counter, topping it with greens, corn, and a promise that it’ll last “three servings easy.” The visual alone sells abundance — enough to silence anyone complaining about the price.

Her playful tone hooks viewers instantly. It’s not just about the food — it’s the rhythm, confidence, and the “potty spaghetti” punchline that feels lifted straight from a family reunion kitchen. Kee’s delivery transforms a simple order into a cultural performance, blurring the line between chef and showwoman.

And when that $100 bill slides across the counter — smooth, slick, and wordless — the internet collectively gasps. It’s the punctuation mark to a perfectly choreographed food hustle.

The Art of the Hustle — How Big Kee Sells Flavor and Vibes

Big Kee’s kitchen is a sensory experience: steam rising from pots, the clang of metal spoons, and laughter bouncing off stainless steel. It’s not fine dining — it’s soul food theater, where the story is as rich as the flavor. Her natural charisma turns customers into fans, and fans into repeat buyers.

There’s also authenticity in every motion. No gloves, no filters, no pretension — just Kee in her element, talking her talk while stacking plates. It’s that unfiltered energy that resonates, especially in an era where “going viral” often means being polished to death.

By the end of the video, you’re not just hungry; you’re rooting for her. That’s brand loyalty born from personality — and no marketing firm could engineer it.

Price Tag Panic — The Internet Breaks Down the $100 Debate

As soon as the clip spread, the comment sections divided into two armies. One side cried robbery (“$100 for spaghetti that costs $2.19!”), while others defended the hustle (“You can’t even feed two people at Chick-fil-A for $50”).

For supporters, it wasn’t about economics — it was about value and culture. Kee’s tray isn’t fast food; it’s family food. It’s loaded with heart, labor, and enough leftovers to last the weekend. For critics, though, the math didn’t add up, reigniting the online debate around “luxury pricing” for everyday Black cuisine.

The irony? Yelp reviews for Kees Loaded Kitchen show prices of $80-$100 for large platters, making the viral “$100 tray” entirely on-brand — and likely underpriced for what it delivers.

Humor, Nostalgia, and That Legendary Slide

The clip’s real fuel wasn’t outrage — it was laughter. The way that Kee “slid that $100 in” to the customer became meme gold. Users compared it to a grandma sneaking church money into a child’s hand, or a secret exchange between hustlers who understand the grind.

Comments like “I ain’t never seen a brick of spaghetti like that!” and “That’s ten meals, not three!” turned the post into a comedy thread. Fans even remixed the clip into slow-motion edits and GIFs, framing Kee’s subtle hand flick as a symbol of Black entrepreneurial finesse.

It’s the kind of humor that disarms negativity — laughing with, not at, the culture. In that way, Kee didn’t just sell food; she served joy.

When Soul Food Meets Social Media Stardom

Kees Loaded Kitchen isn’t new to the spotlight. The spot blew up after TikTok food critic Keith Lee visited earlier this year, praising the flavor while marveling at the portion sizes. Since then, Kee’s remained a local legend — known for rich macaroni, heavy seafood trays, and now, her viral charisma.

This latest clip proves how food content has shifted from recipe tutorials to storytelling moments. The meal is secondary; it’s the human connection that hits. Every stir, every scoop, and every laugh becomes part of the brand.

And Kee knows it. She doesn’t perform for the camera — the camera just caught her being real. That authenticity is currency, and in her world, authenticity costs exactly $100.

Critics vs. Culture — The Hygiene Conversation

Not all reactions were love. Some viewers side-eyed Kee’s bare hands and close proximity to the food, calling it “unsanitary” or “unprofessional.” Others clapped back, arguing that such critiques often reveal coded bias — the same energy never directed at viral “farm-to-table” chefs or trendy food trucks.

This discourse highlights a larger conversation about class and race in food spaces. Soul food vendors often face scrutiny that’s more about image than hygiene. Meanwhile, Kee’s kitchen visibly spotless stainless steel counters and steady clientele speak louder than online nitpicks.

As one user summed it up: “You want sterile? Go to Olive Garden. You want soul? Go to Kee.”

Why It Works — Relatability Over Perfection

Part of what makes the clip explode beyond Portland’s food scene is how relatable it feels. Everyone’s seen a version of this — a small business owner hustling, a neighborhood spot that feeds more than bellies. Kee’s confidence speaks to something bigger: self-worth in one’s craft.

Her message is simple — her time, her food, and her energy are worth paying for. In a world obsessed with cheapness, that’s revolutionary. The viral fame is just a byproduct of showing that local entrepreneurship can still shine on authenticity alone.

In other words: it’s not just spaghetti. It’s a $100 lesson in value, community, and confidence.

A Huge Win for Portland’s Queen of Loaded Plates

As the video continues racking up millions of views, Kees Loaded Kitchen is riding the wave — lines outside her MLK Blvd. cart are reportedly doubling on weekends. Locals call it “the $100 effect.”

And Kee? She’s unbothered, smiling through every scoop. For her, it’s not a scandal — it’s validation. She’s serving the people, feeding families, and cashing out proudly. The world just happened to catch it on camera this time.

So, whether you think $100 is too much or just right, one thing’s certain: Big Kee can cook — and she can sell.