30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread

Most people love food, especially good food, and that is why we often find ourselves going out to spoil ourselves at a restaurant and ordering our favorite meals, spending time with our friends and family. However, it's not always a pleasant event. Sometimes the experience doesn't meet our expectations and is quite disappointing, and when you're paying quite a hefty sum for an experience, you want it to be the best it can be.

There are many things we look out for when we go to a restaurant - the prices, the food options, and how nice the staff is. People online gathered together in this online thread to share some red flags that immediately show them a restaurant is not up to par and they should leave immediately. From dirty floors to a huge menu, these ideas might help you spot a place that just isn't worth spending your money on.

This post may include affiliate links.

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Kids running wild. Apart from the inconvenience of the other diners it’s dangerous when staff are walking round with hot food.
Edit. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many up votes. I thought I was posting something controversial. People sometimes get triggered when someone mentions badly behaved kids and think your just some bitter child hater. But actually I love kids. I just don’t want to eat in their playground.

McSillyoldbear , Pablo Merchán Montes Report

Final score:

294points

POST

Heffalump 1 year ago

Yes. I particularly hate it in 'good' restaurants, the kind where adults go and want to have a quiet conversation. There are restaurants where little kids are appropriate, but elsewhere, if they're not old enough to stay in their seats and behave with basic decorum, they shouldn't be there at all.

72points

View More Replies...

View more comments

We managed to get an interview with the online user that asked the question, and they gave some amazing insights: "So, when I posed the question, I wasn't looking for generic issues with restaurants like bad food, bad service, not clean - which a lot of the responses ended up being. I was more interested in problems people had with intentional choices restaurants have made which make the experience poor.

Like, for instance, there's a restaurant near me that's a casual place where you order from a counter, but they keep their soft drink machine behind the counter. So anytime you need a refill, you have to go up and flag someone down to get it for you, and if they're busy it can take a while.

Or, another problem is when their ordering system is more complicated than it needs to be. For example, at another restaurant, you first talk to someone up front and order things from the menu, but then you take a tray and go down a serving line and can pick other things. Then at the end, you pay a cashier, a different person from who you placed the order with."

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread “3% has been added to your bill for to provide a living wage for our employees” uhm EXCUSE ME SIR, that’s squarely your goddamn problem.

lambchoplives , Clay Banks Report

Final score:

228points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

Thankfully, here in Australia, we do pay hospitality a living wage. They don't have to kiss a$$ for a tip

85points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Dirty menus. If they can't be bothered to wipe the menu then what else are they not cleaning?

Edit: I see excuses like 'there's not enough time', 'it's not a priority', 'the last thing we're going to do is clean the menus'.

There's always an excuse not to do something. Like I asked, what else are they not cleaning?

IAmSagacity , Erik Mclean Report

Final score:

212points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

It's a must, i am not ordering off a filthy menu. To get that dirty, means it hasn't felt a sponge in days!

49points

View more comments

"A good restaurant doesn't have to be really fancy nor super casual, it just needs to be easy to intuitively understand how things work there, even for first-timers. Any place that thinks they've come up with a 'new concept in dining' I’m not likely to return to.

The problems I've encountered are far more common with new restaurants. Established restaurants usually have worked out that kind of issue long ago or they wouldn't still be around."

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Owners being rude to staff in front of guests

LittleBlackBird0191 , Vanna Phon Report

Final score:

203points

POST

Cee Mor 1 year ago

Biggest red flag. Also owners walking around the kitchen with their friends, trying to be big shots. Dude, let the chefs cook and get out of the way, they are making your money

52points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread No prices on the menu. If I’m going to spend money, I want to know how much I’m going to spend. Just tell me the steak is $40 for f**k sake.

indigoassassin , Max Burger Report

Final score:

198points

POST

Donkeywheel 1 year ago

In high-end restaurants there is a tradition: the person inviting has a menu with prices, the person(s) being invited has a menu without.

54points

View More Replies...

View more comments

"As someone with an anxiety disorder, I think restaurant owners need to think about how people like me experience their system. If I'm required to ask a lot of questions or to be asked a lot of questions, or it's a lot of trouble to simply place an order or to understand their menu, I will end up returning to one of my usual comfortable spots instead."

We also talked with Dr. Joan Salge Blake, a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of the nutrition and health podcast, SpotOn! She answered some important questions about restaurants and the food industry. Firstly, we asked what a dealbreaker is for Dr. Joan Salge Blake at a restaurant: "A dealbreaker is when I can't find any veggies on the menu. I love when someone else grills, stir fries, roasts, bakes, or purees veggies. Don't they always taste better when someone else makes them for you?"

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Loud music. I've been in restaurants before where I can't hear myself think, let alone hear people opposite me talk.

Edit: comments were irritating me, so I amended

Philcycles84 , Hans Vivek Report

Final score:

170points

POST

Marcos Valencia 1 year ago

Maybe it's me, but I don't like to eat with music.

38points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread I’m from UK so maybe not relevant but HUGE menu with loads of variety. If they can just master 5 or 6 dishes they will taste far better that the 50 different options that the kitchen has to offer.

Stokehall , Foo Visuals Report

Final score:

169points

POST

Ripley 1 year ago

If a restaurant has a huge variety on the menu it's mostly going to be pre-made and frozen, and then just nuked of fried on order. Nothing's going to be made fresh - there would be too much wastage.

71points

View More Replies...

View more comments

The professor also shared what makes a restaurant good: "The waitstaff is friendly, the menu is varied so that I can get fish or meat, depending upon my mood, and there are tons of veggies available. I love to start the meal with a veggie-based soup. You had me at minestrone or veggie bean soup." She also shared some common mistakes restaurants make: "Limited menu options with typical menu choices. Yes! I am done with French fries." Dr. Joan Salge Blake also mentioned that one of the most important things a restaurant can do is make sure to provide something for all the customers - meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, etc.

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread QR code menus

mdsMW , Proxyclick Visitor Management System Report

Final score:

164points

POST

Na Schi 1 year ago

Especially if the restaurant offers no WiFi/the WiFi is slow as a snail - Especially if the menu has to be downloaded as a pdf. And/or you have to really search to eventually deny their cookies/trackings. And/or they offer (several) times to sign up to their newsletter.

72points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread If they just ignore you for 10 minutes. Even if you are (too) busy at least acknowledge you've seen me and will get to me.

domin8r , Rod Long Report

Final score:

159points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

A smile and nod is all you need

51points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#10

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Dirty bathrooms.

SikhJedi , Wilhelm Gunkel Report

Final score:

157points

POST

James Edwards 1 year ago

But they are to busy cleaning the kitchen to do the filthy menus!

18points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#11

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Not a deal breaker but more of a huge pet peeve, and please...if you are a waiter/waitress please please please listen to me:

If you are going to take my whole tables order by memory, and write none of it down, You sure as s**t better get it right. If that's a problem, just write it down... literally no one cares, and I actually prefer it when I see this done.

Spraynpray89 , Adrien Olichon Report

Final score:

151points

POST

ProcrastinationStation 1 year ago

This, I don't trust people to remember 10 meals!

35points

View more comments

#12

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread If the table is sticky and it gets stickier after they wipe it.

kissingdistopia , Alex Jones Report

Final score:

146points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

Ugh i hate that, better leave it dirty and dry

17points

View more comments

#13

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Tables packed closely together to the point where you might as well just be sitting with the strangers next to you.

jimcol , Rod Long Report

Final score:

143points

POST

Dan Padgett 1 year ago

I know people are defending this and I understand why. I personally am not a fan.

12points

View more comments

#14

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread No hand soap in the restroom.
Unless staff have their own restroom no one’s washing hands after doing their business into
urinal or toilet.

Stanford-baller , Wilhelm Gunkel Report

Final score:

140points

POST

Sofia 1 year ago

Customers have the right to use soap too

36points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#15

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Paying and tipping on a handheld electronic device while the waiter stares me down. One guy actually “instructed” me to press the 25% tip option as if it’s a required step of the transaction. Infuriatingly rude.

I waited tables and bartended for over 8 years and it was always considered a huge no-no to stand over someone while they tipped, totaled, and signed the slip.

MowBooVee , Sam Dan Truong Report

Final score:

134points

POST

JuniorCJ82 1 year ago

I went somewhere with friends for the first time and paid for the meal with my card. When the guy noticed (as the handheld printed it out) that I said no tip, he pointed it out rather rudely without giving me half a second to explain why. My friend who sat next to me snapped back at him (they had dealt with him in the past) that she was going to tip him in cash. She basically told him to p**s off while we discussed it. After he left, she ended up taking away $10 because she was so over him.

57points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#16

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread A sign on the door that says “NoBoDy WaNtS To WoRk AnYmOrE!” (I’ve never texted like that before - what a pain in the a*s! 😏)

CharlotteBadger , Waqas Saeed Report

Final score:

120points

POST

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

Yeah. That's special code for, "I'm a crappy boss"

58points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#17

Not having hours and menu posted on the website or Facebook or somewhere. As someone with some food sensitivities I am not wasting my time showing up and getting seated just to discover I can't eat/don't like any of the food.

siwokedaj Report

Final score:

120points

POST

Kim Lee 1 year ago

Or having an address with no city or state on it

23points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#18

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread The smell when you walk in. If you can smell sewage, mold or excessive bleach or ammonia when you walk in over the food, turn around.

DarthGayAgenda , Andrew Seaman Report

Final score:

114points

POST

liam newton-harding 1 year ago

Is there anyone who enters a restaurant...or any building...smells raw sewage, and thinks, "Oh yes, this is very ethnic... it's going to be good!" and takes a seat?

30points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#19

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Being seated next to other diners *in an otherwise empty restaurant **if it’s not a shared dining experience like a BBQ

Isorry123 , Rita Chou Report

Final score:

98points

POST

JuniorCJ82 1 year ago

Just ask for another table. If they give you some bs reason why not, leave.

23points

View more comments

#20

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread if you go to a mexican/tex-mex spot and the chips and salsa are terrible just pack it up and leave, nothing will get better.

thejamielee , Tai's Captures Report

Final score:

97points

POST

Bradford B 1 year ago

Talk about a great clue! Yes, it's always reassuring to see housemade chips (bonus if they're warm) and salsa -- NOT foodservice bagged/bottled c**p. Native Texan here who still sorely misses El Matamoros (El Mat's) in Austin, TX. When the owner retired, he closed the restaurant instead of selling it because he knew no one would have the pride to maintain the quality.

21points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#21

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread When they keep the lights so low that you literally can’t see the menu. I’ve been in three places like this, and the food is always bad. The place is dark for a reason.

onthedownhillslope , Nicolas Hoizey Report

Final score:

97points

POST

LibrarianJanet 1 year ago

My elderly mother used to get so mad she couldn't see the menu that she'd bring along a flashlight. Seriously zero f's given. She's my hero.

42points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#22

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Taking forever to get the check grinds my gears. I'm less likely to return if I had to wait a long time to leave. I don't want to be held hostage after my meal.

LuckyLawyer21 , naipo.de Report

Final score:

88points

POST

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

I've got this one solved. When you are bored waiting for the bill you stand up and go to the cashier and say "hey can you ring up for my table which is number ##". They look embarrassed and send the waiter.

21points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#23

Automatic 10% ‘Service Charge’ added to your bill. Just increase your prices. Service Charge should always be discretionary.

KoorbB Report

Final score:

77points

POST

Display_Name 1 year ago

I went to a local Mexican restaurant that has decent prices on the menu. I've been going there most of my life. I ordered a taco salad that was listed as $5.50. I got the bill and it was $7.25. I would have gotten an ala carte burrito instead. I never said anything because I was already having a bad night.

5points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#24

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread If I can smell the bathroom as soon as I walk in. I’m out.

0nefatgrub , Tim Mossholder Report

Final score:

76points

POST

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

yep

6points

View more comments

#25

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Flies.

SallyJane5555 , Jin Yeong Kim Report

Final score:

70points

POST

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

In Africa we have a bigger problem with bees. Our bees are bastards and they love sugar, so they climb into your soda.

25points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#26

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Warm water served in a piping hot glass from the dishwasher.

KHUSTOM , Clint McKoy Report

Final score:

67points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

Ahh thirst quenching

12points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#27

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Having no seats with backs. Nobody wants to sit on a bench.

steve-lp , Robert Bye Report

Final score:

67points

POST

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

I think this may be cultural

18points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#28

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Hidden fees or changing prices regularly. I'll go once, but if that happens, I won't return.

ruvol23 , Jonas Leupe Report

Final score:

65points

POST

Jus Frpn 1 year ago

One of my favorite places has done this multiple times and I now won't go. We ordered take out last week and every price was $2 - $4 more on the receipt than the online menu. Even their to go menu they gave me had incorrect prices. If prices change that quickly than add a disclaimer on your website.

15points

View more comments

#29

When you have to pay for tap water.

Hardibob Report

Final score:

63points

POST

Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago

In Australia, its mandatory for a sit down food venue to provide free tap/still/table water.

30points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#30

I’m not entirely sure what the word is, but promoters who stand outside the restaurant and try to get you to eat there.

kleineoogjes Report

Final score:

63points

POST

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

Never had that happen to me thank darwin.

20points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium

Unlimited content

Ad-free browsing

Dark mode

#31

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread I haven't experienced this where I'm currently living, but back home it was not uncommon to wait for ages until a waiter acknowledged your presence. Like 10-15min. I'd just stand up and leave.

And cleanliness of course, but that's a given.

MurderKillRiver , Jessie McCall Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Dani M 1 year ago

Come to Vienna. Where people are boasting how long the waiter in the cafe they go to every day is ignoring them. It means yiou matter...

1point

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#32

I took some co-workers out to lunch on Friday and we didn't get seen by the waiter. No water, consultation about the menu, nothing. Even after 15 minutes from being seated. Probably the only time I've ever walked out of a restaurant.

WhyLimitMeTo20Charac Report

Final score:

21points

POST

#33

Being seated at a dirty table

conch56 Report

Final score:

19points

POST

Jeff Gabrisl 1 year ago

Even worse is when guests seat themselves at a dirty table, and expect the service staff to jump to clean it.

4points

#34

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Ever walk on a floor mopped with sugary water? Yeah, that stickiness will have me turn around instantly.

epicenter69 , Anthony Fomin Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Paul Vasquez 1 year ago

IT AIN'T SUGAR!

2points

View more comments

#35

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Visibly poor hand hygiene

rockymountainway44 , Tetiana Shevereva Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Synsepalum 1 year ago

Poppie!, Why Poppie? (Seinfeld)

0points

#36

Big wait time for server to take my order, although the restaurant is not busy.

fermat9997 Report

Final score:

17points

POST

Heffalump 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#37

If everything on the menu has mayonnaise in it. It has happened before.

ans-myonul Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Ace 1 year ago

If everything on the menu has mayonnaise in it that's not a restaurant, it's a sandwich shop.

18points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#38

Roaches… I know how hard they are to keep out of restaurants, but if I see one I’m done…

dennydiamonds Report

Final score:

16points

POST

James Edwards 1 year ago

One time at McDs I ordered a McRib, opened it up to remove the pickles and found one of big yard roaches in it, now formally known as McRoach. BTW I got my money back and another sandwich!

6points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#39

Hard cold butter for the bread. Just let the butter out of the fridge for the day so we can spread it on our bread without destroying the bread

goingTofu Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Marie Dahme 1 year ago

Restaurants should use those French butter bells. It keeps the butter from turning rancid and it holds about a 1/4 stick inside. Google butter bell, those things are great. Love mine !

5points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#40

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread Moldy smells. Something ain’t right back there

Imahouseplantttt , Gor Davtyan Report

Final score:

14points

POST

#41

Don’t accept cards

mentecerrada Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Roy Zobel 1 year ago

I've been to some restaurants here in Germany where they don't accept cards. It's mostly family run businesses where the owners are quite old. They accept only cash but the food is exceptional. (See what I did there?) ;)

7points

View more comments

#42

Difficult parking.

gaychitect Report

Final score:

4points

POST

Donkeywheel 1 year ago

Crazy how everyone is so off topic and missing the point. If you absolutely need your car for whatever reason and don’t want to go to a restaurant with no or difficult parking, that’s ok. But saying it’s a red flag and a sign that the restaurant might be awful is completely dumb.

9points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#43

Wobbly Tables. Drives me insane. Trying to cut up my steak whilst the table shakes like Michael J Fox shits me to tears.

almostasquare Report

Final score:

-52points

POST

Shyla Bouche 1 year ago

I really don't appreciate how the OP phrased that. Parkinson's isn't a joke.

47points

View More Replies...

View more comments

What do you think ?

VonBlade 1 year ago

Not being able to adjust your order. If I wanted a pre-prepared meal reheated I'd have stayed home. (I don't mean swap the chicken for bacon, the chips for roast potatoes and change out the red wine sauce for bechamel, I mean just don't add the blue cheese on top)

Colin 1 year ago

This is a big one for me. Cheeses can do many awful things to me. Very light cheese, mozzarella for example, I can eat some before my stomach gets upset and bad movements happen. Stronger cheeses, cheddar or parmesan, will result in vomiting. Not a lactose thing as I eat ice cream, drink milk, enjoy yoghurt. If I was a superhero, cheese is my kryptonite.

Load More Replies...

Izzy Curer 1 year ago (edited)

My biggest pet peeve is when the server asks what you want to drink before you get your butt into the seat. Just throwing the menus on the table, standing in my way, badgering me first thing before I've even had time to think. Let me sit down first! Let me look at the menu for 2 seconds. I don't know, lady, I just got here! It happens all the time. I used to serve tables, but that was admittedly 20 years ago. Maybe things are different now? It's fast, I guess, but does anyone actually want this, or are these servers just poorly trained?

Scrolling Panda 1 year ago

What kind of restaurants do you encounter this in? In my experience, I've only ever had this treatment at diners and franchise chains. I'm just curious if you are experiencing this at anything higher end than that.

سارا ناز 1 year ago

maybe I'm nuts but if I walk into a restaurant & see carpeted floors I instantly cringe & want to leave. All those stains/odors...it gives me the impression the place can't be very sanitary & then I think about kitchen/food handling practices!

Load More Comments

30 Things You Should Look Out For When Eating At A Restaurant, As Shared In This Online Thread

Games

Eglė Radžiūtė

Eglė Radžiūtė

Vėja Elkimavičiūtė

Vėja Elkimavičiūtė

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower