Empty during peak hours
An empty restaurant doesn't automatically mean poor food quality. It could be a new establishment, located in a less-trafficked area, or facing various challenges. However, if a restaurant consistently lacks customers during peak dining hours, diners should exercise caution. Customer volume often reflects the rate of ingredient turnover. For establishments relying on fresh produce, low patronage can result in less fresh ingredients.
Staff frequently arguing
Excuses, sarcastic comments, or arguments with customers often signal an unprofessional work environment. Candy Hom, a food critic, tour guide, and chef in Atlanta, My, suggests that staff should rectify restaurant errors instead of blaming customers. She recounted a personal experience where her group of 6 dined at a renowned chef's restaurant, but the bill was incorrectly split into five portions. When she brought this to the server's attention, they explained they were more accustomed to serving five-person tables than six. "Even if the food was good, our experience was ruined", Hom said.
Poor hygiene
Diners should not overlook dirty tables, unclean restrooms, or staff failing to follow handwashing procedures. Hygiene is paramount in the food service industry, as unsafe food storage, preparation, and serving practices can lead to food poisoning or illness. Publicly available hygiene inspection results from authorities also offer valuable information when selecting a restaurant.
Staff treated poorly
Beyond staff attitudes towards customers, the treatment of employees by restaurant owners and managers warrants attention. Nadia Chaudhury, a food writer for Eater, expresses caution regarding restaurants that receive consistent employee complaints about their work environment or management. A stressful work environment can negatively impact staff morale, service quality, and ultimately, the diner's experience.
Too many influencer promotions
Social media posts can help diners discover new venues, but not all reviews reflect a typical dining experience. Hom suggests that a restaurant frequently featured by influencers doesn't automatically imply poor quality. However, diners should differentiate between independent reviews and promotional content, and seek out experiences from those who paid for their own meals. When a restaurant dedicates excessive space and attention to filming and promotional photography, it can also disrupt other customers.
Nhat Minh (According to Allrecipes)
