The Power Of Social Media: TikTok Video Saves Struggling California Restaurant

February 21, 2023

TikTokers helped save a struggling Vietnamese restaurant in Santa Rosa, California.

Lee's Noodle House in Santa Rosa

Last month, Jennifer Le posted a short video clip to TikTok that shows her father Vuong Le waiting with an expressionless face at the counter of his empty restaurant.

"It makes me so sad to see my parents wait for customers to walk through the door to eat at their Vietnamese restaurant," Jennifer captioned the video.

@jennif3rle Replying to @michellekostick thank you guys for all the support & love to my parent’s restaurant! we welcome you all anytime and check out our instagram: @leesnoodlehouse for delicious food photos :) #santarosa #bayareafoodies #vietnamesefood #california #leesnoodlehouse #noodles #pho #fyp ♬ cà phê sped up - salemdoll

"My parents haven't been having that many customers and been feeling stressed dealing with financial issues," she said.

In fact, the restaurant was closing a few hours earlier every night to save money on gas and electric.

But a 7-second video changed their lives forever. Droves of people started visiting Lee's Noodle House in Santa Rosa.

"There are so many phone calls, that when you pick up the phone, it’s still ringing on the other side," Jennifer said.

Her parents have been working 12 hour days and running out of ingredients trying to keep up with demand.

"The comment section has brought my parents and I to tears. We are so grateful for all the support, and for everyone who is coming out," Jennifer said in a follow-up video.

"My dad is so happy, so grateful," she said.