Top Restaurant Red Flags

I was reading a blog by Jeff Somers regarding Restaurants Top Red Flags and I thought that he covered a bunch of good topics.  I had a few additional suggestions and combined they with the blog references.  If you see any of these items, it may be a good idea to look for another restaurant.

Outdated website or promotional materials

If a restaurant can not keep up with their online and print materials, then you have to wonder what else they have not kept up with.  A telltale sign would be if the restaurant still has COVID masking protocols still on the site.  That was a hot item 3 to 4 years ago.  Just what else have they let go over that time period.

Bleach (or other strong smells)

If a restaurant has a strong smell that something is going on.  If it smells of rotting food, enough said.  If, however, it smells of chemicals then the restaurant has to be cleaning something up that was something strong and disgusting.  No one chooses to create a sterile environment like a hospital because they thing it is appetizing.

Large, unfocused menus

This is my pet peeve.  If they have the largest menu like the old school diners, they must be a jack of all trades and most likely master of none.  This means that they may be ok with a lot of items but do not expect them to be good or great in any of them.  Also, if they have such a huge selection, what portion of those items will be fresh. I would wager that most items are frozen.  If I wanted a frozen item, I have a freezer at home

Dirty bathrooms

If a restaurant does not clean its bathrooms, I would hate to see its kitchen.  Customers go the bathrooms but do not go to the kitchens.  Just think about that.

Theatrics

The theory here is if a restaurant focuses so much time and effort on entertaining you then they are not spending as much time as they should on cooking the food you are going to eat.  The main reason you are going to a restaurant is for the food.  If you want the entertainment then you could go to a show or another venue.

NYC people “Grade Pending” 

If a restaurant in NYC has a Grade Pending for its Health Inspection Report that means if initially had a lower rating (possibly a B or C rating).  Subsequent to that report, they have had another inspection and prior to its issuance (and whatever appeal they pursue), they can post a Grade Pending posting.  Basically, it is a sign that the restaurant has health issues.

Dirty floors, tables, utensils, glasses or menus

If a restaurant does not clean its floor, tables, utensils, glasses or menus, clearly, they do not value cleanliness and God help you to see what the sanitary conditions are in the kitchen.  I do not know about you but if a restaurant is not clean, I do not have faith in their food.

Disinterested waiting staff 

If the waitstaff is not attentive or interested in their jobs, are the cooking staff interested in theirs? If people are not doing their jobs, then the restaurant is poorly managed. What else in the restaurant is poorly run?

Gimmicky restaurants 

There are a whole host of food trends — too many to name. Usually these are a disappointment to me. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing something like Farm to Table and then featuring Bananas Foster with a coffee ice cream on the menu. We’re not in a tropical climate. As a result, neither the bananas nor coffee grow within 900 miles of this restaurant. How can it be farm to table?

The Parking Lot Isn’t Clean

Once again, we are back to cleanliness. If a restaurant does not clean up the customer facing portion of its facility, just imagine the parts you cannot see. I picture kitchens, in the best of circumstances, being a chaotic environment with a lot going on and sanitary conditions being a second thought. If a restaurant is not focused on appearing clean to its customers, then things are going on in the kitchen and the food prep that I do not want to know or eat their food.

If you run into these items, just think is this the kind of place that I want to cook my dinner and will the food be good? I tend to avoid restaurants that I can sick at. Your goal at a restaurant is to have good food and an enjoyable evening. If you come across one of these red flags, then look for another place. You will be glad you did.

#foodwithaview #foodie #foodstagram #foodpics #restaurantreview #reviewrestaurant #grub #grubbing