PEARLAND, Texas — A Pearland dessert shop officially reopens on Saturday after taking a break brought on by increased demand from a viral review from internet food critic Keith Lee.
Editor's note: The above video was published before the store reopened.
Ever since Lee's visit, The Puddery has had a line out the door. The owner said the store temporarily closed because she strained a muscle in her chest working to satisfy the surge in customers.
The Puddery reopened from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and asked customers to be aware of a few things. The store said customers should expect a line and longer-than-usual wait times. Orders will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis and delivery orders are not being taken.
"We are honored and so very happy to serve you," The Puddery wrote on Instagram. "We will do our very best to get your order ready as quickly as possible."
Before Lee's visit, owner Janel Prator said she would sometimes only get two customers a day. The day after the review was posted, the line was around the corner before the store even opened.
She shared a transparent post on Instagram addressing the new demand on her business, why she decided to close her doors temporarily and what's next.
In his review, Lee tried the Oreo "croffle" and strawberry banana pudding.
"I'm not even a sweets person. This is immaculate. I'm not gonna lie, for them not to be out the door, I'm absolutely speechless. I don't say this often," Lee said about the dessert shop.
Prator was so grateful for Lee's review, she even changed the name of one of the menu items.
"We renamed the croffle the 'Keith Lee croffle.' ... The strawberry pudding was the first to sell out," Prator said. "It's huge. Yesterday, I had five customers. Today (Wednesday), I've had about 90 customers. I'm expecting a lot more tomorrow."