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When you think of restaurants, you might think of fancy tablecloths and refined waiters, cozy fairy lights above scrubbed wooden tables, tasty food and good company. Whether formal or modern, they’re about quality. Or they’re meant to be. The sad reality is that many places that serve food fail to meet even the most basic hygiene and service standards. 

Reddit user u/FlintTheDad wanted to hear about the most egregious signs that a restaurant’s not worth eating at, and the r/AskReddit community was happy to share their immediate red flags. We’ve collected the most important signs that you should probably turn around and leave the restaurant the way you came. Check them out as you scroll down!

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#1

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Gordon Ramsey walking in with a camera crew.

Taint-kicker Report

Final score:
222points
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#2

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There A menu with no prices

DryContract8916 , Gül Işık Report

Final score:
169points
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#3

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There If a manager is yelling at staff either loud enough for everyone to hear or out in the open.

kosuhime , Vanna Phon Report

Final score:
163points
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, saw that happened once. The head chef used the N-word. She was gone immediately. Never missed her. Hated working with that woman.

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Restaurants fail when the management and the staff aren’t on the same page. When there’s nobody at the helm, no communication, and no proper motivation for the staff, how can you expect success?

Forbes points out that poor leadership and bad hiring and training practices are to blame for restaurant failure. Meanwhile, establishments that have a toxic culture, serve forgettable food, and struggle with even basic logistics are on a downward trend, toward closing their doors.

The simple truth is that restaurants that don’t give a damn about their customers won’t stay in business for long. After all, if you’re constantly treated like you’re trash, and the food tastes like microwaved garbage slopped onto a dirty plate, why would you ever return?

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#4

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There A seafood restaurant should NOT smell fishy

turtyurt , Jia Ye Report

Final score:
151points
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#5

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Dirty restrooms Edit: usually if the restrooms are dirty so is the kitchen. They seem to go hand-in-hand. 

carboncanyondesign , Buchen WANG Report

Final score:
145points
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Lauren Wilder
Lauren Wilder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went into a restroom in o'charleys. One of the toilets was leaking so I asked an employee about it. She said oh it happens all the time. The manager usually just gets somebody from the kitchen to mop it up. I left right after that.

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#6

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There that *smell*

You know the one. floors feel a little slippery/slimy underfoot and it smells like theyve been mopping the place with the same dirty mop and bucket water for weeks.

This isnt something you're likely to see in a nice place but I've encountered it in more fast-casual dining places than i care to remember.

y2knole , Tetiana Shevereva Report

Final score:
125points
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Without satisfied, happy, returning customers, any restaurant is going to wobble and crash. Especially once word gets around town about how awful the experience is. And in this day and age, when it’s so easy for anyone to post internet reviews, reputation matters more than ever. You need to be at the top of your game every single day. You can’t let standards slip. Otherwise, you’ll end up being called out for it on social media and you’ll see your revenue stream dry up.

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If you own a restaurant that needs turning around, you need to start with the very basics. Start with the kitchen: it needs to be sparkling clean—nothing less will do. Your staff needs to have a list of things that they have to clean daily, weekly, and monthly. They also need to have a clear understanding of the consequences of not following through on this. Dirty kitchens are worse than disgusting: they pose a real health risk to anyone eating at the establishment. They put human lives and the future of the business at risk.
#7

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There The smell of rancid oil.

Ankarhette , Wine Dharma Report

Final score:
123points
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Isabel Care
Isabel Care
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every fast food place I have ever passed, including Subway. Why would a sandwich shop smell of rancid oil?

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#8

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Sign says: your hostess will seat you (or something similar) and there’s no hostess. And the waitstaff walks past multiple times without saying anything.

I start a mental 5 minute-ish timer and if I don’t see or speak to the hostess before five minutes, I leave.

Only-Friend-8483 , krutarth shah Report

Final score:
120points
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you're in the weeds, you're in the weeds and fun fact, even the hosts are entitled to the occasional 10 minute break. Now a good manager will ensure that that station is covered during that staff member's break even if that manager has to do it themself.

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#9

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Empty parking lot during a traditionally busy time of day.

Practical_Mood_7146 , Brianna Tucker Report

Final score:
110points
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Petra
Petra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best one. I'm surprised it's not higher up.

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Meanwhile, owners can’t be cheap when it comes to training. It’s vital that they spend money to give their servers and chefs the training that they need. When you provide your employees with the opportunity for growth, they’ll be more proud of their jobs. An owner who invests in your skills shows that they care about you and your future. 

While the kitchen is being scrubbed and the servers are learning how to treat their customers well, the restaurant owner can focus on creating a singular vision for their business. Essentially, what you want is a clear idea of what the restaurant is all about. When you have a concise understanding of your brand, it’s far easier to market it to the public than when you’re running a generic eatery with a menu thicker than all the Harry Potter books stacked on top of each other.

For some more stories about the very worst restaurant red flags, take a look through Bored Panda's earlier feature.

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#10

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There All of the furniture and menus are weirdly sticky…

Silver_Sunshine360 , Andrew Seaman Report

Final score:
105points
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Earl Grey
Earl Grey
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there a perfectly normal sticky for comparison?

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#11

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There “ATTENTION CUSTOMERS: due to inflationary pressures we will be adding a 10% surcharge to all bills. Thank you for your understanding.”

davo747 , Jessie McCall Report

Final score:
102points
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#12

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Multiple dirty tables that haven’t been cleared. If the restaurant isn’t crowded, staff should have time to clean them. If it is crowded, staff should be trying to turn tables over quickly. Dirty tables mean they are either severely understaffed or the staff just doesn’t care. Either way you will be waiting a long time.

787la57la47al , Helena Lopes Report

Final score:
97points
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did family dining for a bit and I could flip and clean a table in about 3 minutes. You have no idea how many dirty dishes I can carry in a single load to the pit without a bus tub.

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#13

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Cockroaches

JohnSimth20211101 , Srattha Nualsate Report

Final score:
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#14

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Political stickers on the doorway..

6033624 , Mathias Reding Report

Final score:
94points
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Jiminy
Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God no, I love the alternative left covered-with-stickers kind of bistros. They often have amazing food.

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#15

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There An unkept fish tank / aquarium

ThisisHalle , Huy Phan Report

Final score:
90points
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#16

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There An ethnic restaurant with no one from that ethnicity eating there.

CuriouslyFlavored , Sarah MP Report

Final score:
89points
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Privateer
Privateer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really depends on the area. It might be an awesome restaurant, but the only people of that particular ethnicity in town work in said restaurant.

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#17

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There A huge menu.

dnb_4eva , Lina Kivaka Report

Final score:
87points
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Earl Grey
Earl Grey
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told by my parents that this was what the average Diner was like in the 1950’s. Lots and lots of options, a little bit of everything, food served fast, but none of it very good. Great prices for that time, which is what the post-WW2 customers really wanted, i.e., a full belly for not much money.

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#18

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Front doors are dirty, dead bugs in windows.

Anaxamenes , Clem Onojeghuo Report

Final score:
78points
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#19

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There My big one is smells. If it has a yucky smell, you know something’s not right. Also, flies. I understand that flys come in as customers open and close the door, but restaurants should be taking measures to repel bugs.

No-Egg2880 , Simon John-McHaffie Report

Final score:
73points
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quentariel
quentariel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Flies are annoying little menaces, especially in the warm weather. They somehow find their way in and are really hard to get totally rid of. Keeping clean helps, but still... Fly repellant spray is a nice weapon too, but unfortunately it can't be sprayed anywhere near the food, kitchen or tables.

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#20

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There When you see the owner breaking apart frozen chicken on the curb outback.

Mourning-Poo , Mathias Reding Report

Final score:
71points
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#21

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Friend insisted on us all going to this one restaurant. I swear I stepped over vomit near the door but wasn't sure.

We all got food poisoning.

So, I'mma say any puddles of things on the floor that should not be puddles of things on the floor is a red flag.

AllAboutThePotatoes , Clem Onojeghuo Report

Final score:
66points
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Lauren S
Lauren S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When are the puddles of things on the floor that SHOULD be there???

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#22

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There A racoon falling through the ceiling tiles. 1:00am drunk as hell, looking for something to eat. Find a dive that's still open. Order my food. While waiting for my order, a racoon falls from the ceiling. Waitress runs to the back screaming. The cook comes out armed with a cleaver and chases it into the kitchen. The look on his face was like it has happened before. Other people eating there were in shock and got up and left. Mystery meat - the new special. Get me the f**k out of there.

alwaystired707 , Quentin Bounias Report

Final score:
65points
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Privateer
Privateer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drunk raccoons have to eat somewhere, it's not like they let them walk in the front door.

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#23

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There More than 2 of the wait staff are crying.

gpcousins2 , Fa Barboza Report

Final score:
57points
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#24

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There Stained carpet. Chipped dishes. Loud entertainment. Yelling from the kitchen.

skaote , Francisco Suarez Report

Final score:
53points
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Ray Carrillo
Ray Carrillo
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No always red flags, with the exception of old stained carpet.

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#25

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There I always go to the bathroom and wash my hands. If the soap is empty, I walk out of the place.

BRUISE_WILLIS , Jahongir ismoilov Report

Final score:
49points
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SonicAlchemy
SonicAlchemy
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😆 "I always go to the bathroom and wash my hands". Ok, sweet, good, that's what most people do. Did you ever think to try and tell a staff member that the soap is empty, as often times the responsible individual for the replenishment could have been busy and unable to do so in the moment? Petulant, entitled a**holes, some people are, christ. "I walk out of the place..". Good, peace out!

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#26

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There I immediately look to see if there is anyone actually eating. If there are a half dozen tables with no food on them, and people looking anxiously to the kitchen, I'm out.

scotttr3b , Kevin Curtis Report

Final score:
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Lucas Jackson
Lucas Jackson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if the restaurant has just opened / just started service for that time of day (ie. Lunch or dinner)

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#27

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There It's 6:30 in the evening and you are the only customer in the restaurant.

rosesforthemonsters , Austin Distel Report

Final score:
36points
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#28

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There High humidity inside.

Prestigious_Gold_585 , kayleigh harrington Report

Final score:
31points
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#29

29 Restaurant Red Flags That Mean You Should Probably Not Eat There If underage children are your waiters

tynnillerobinsonn , Gary Barnes Report

Final score:
30points
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Lauren S
Lauren S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where does this happen? I guess I have seen a 10 year old whose family clearly owns and runs the place help a smidge, but it’s only a few minutes here and there. They usually play in a booth or do homework. But I guess laws are different around the globe.

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