Thread: Restaurant Review Sites

On Sunday, September 9, 2012 9:28:11 AM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
>
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person pointed
>
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity brother
>
> owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review because someone
>
> took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one review where the
>
> customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't give their kid some
>
> crayons.


I write reviews on Yelp all of the time. I try to be accurate, concise, and fair. I gave one place a poor review, and the owner offered my coupons to come back and try the place again. I refused the coupons as I felt it was not my goal when I write a review. I would love to be a secret shopper to restaurants.

I rely on Yelp for reviews when at home and on the road. The only thing toremember when reading Yelp is to be sure to sort by date and only rely on reviews that are most current.

The complaint about the crayons reminded me of a hotel review where the person complained that the front desk was too far from her room. I had stayedat that hotel, and yes a BIG hotel can be rather sprawling.

DaleP
>
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
>
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
>
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone makea
>
> decision?
>
>
>
> Jill

"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person pointed
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity
> brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review
> because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one
> review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't
> give their kid some crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make
> a decision?

So what you have asked is whether we are jerks or thoughtful people.
Nice of you to have given us a choice.

pavane

"pavane" wrote in message
news:Vj33s.541971$%[email protected]..


"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person pointed
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity
> brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review
> because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one
> review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't
> give their kid some crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make
> a decision?

So what you have asked is whether we are jerks or thoughtful people.
Nice of you to have given us a choice.

pavane


Apparently you're determined to be one the jerks Funny, you never struck
me that way in the past. It is a simple question.
Do you or don't you fill out restaurant reviews online? Or for that matter,
comment cards which are often on the restaurant table?

Jill

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 11:28:09 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
> decision?

I've only written a restaurant review once - for a restaurant we liked
enough to eat dinner at several times during a 7 day stay in London
(England). We aren't restaurant rookies and yet we were impressed
enough to return (although we had the entire city to choose from and
did for other meals). I was not interested in convincing anyone to
choose that restaurant over another; what I wanted to do is assure
other tourists that it's an excellent choice if they decide they want
to try it.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 12:47:48 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Do you or don't you fill out restaurant reviews online? Or for that matter,
> comment cards which are often on the restaurant table?

I fill out comment cards whenever they are presented, pointing out
what I thought was particularly good and areas for improvement; if I
think improvement is necessary and a reasonable request (keeping in
mind the type of restaurant it is and what reasonable customer
expectations for that type would be). I like to point out what's
going well, so the staff can hear something positive for a change -
because you know they hear plenty of complaints.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 09/09/2012 11:28 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person
> pointed out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his
> fraternity brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy
> review because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read
> one review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess
> didn't give their kid some crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction?
> Or do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone
> make a decision?
>
>


I give no credibility to online restaurant review sites. The good
reviews could be from the owners, their family and friends. The bad ones
are usually from unreasonable whines.


I came across a funny one the other day. I was checking online to check
the hours for a rural greasy spoon. I know they used to be erratic but
that it was under new management but I didn't want to drive 15 miles
only to find it closed, and it is in the middle of nowhere. I linked to
a restaurant review site and most of them were good. One was very bad.

The guy was upset because they would not make him a hot chicken
sandwich. It wasn't on the menu but he ranted that they had bread, they
had chicken, they had gravy <?> so they should make him a hot chicken
sandwich. But when the complained, the owner/cook came out and kicked
him out. I have met the owner and he seemed like a nice guy. I can't
imagine him kicking someone out simply for asking for an item that was
not on the menu, but I can see him doing it for some guy who was making
a fuss over it.

On 09/09/2012 12:23 PM, dalep wrote:
> On Sunday, September 9, 2012 9:28:11 AM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
>> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me
>> think
>>
>> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person
>> pointed
>>
>> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity
>> brother
>>
>> owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review because
>> someone
>>
>> took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one review where
>> the
>>
>> customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't give their
>> kid some
>>
>> crayons.
>
>
> I write reviews on Yelp all of the time. I try to be accurate,
> concise, and fair. I gave one place a poor review, and the owner
> offered my coupons to come back and try the place again. I refused
> the coupons as I felt it was not my goal when I write a review.

Good for you. In the past I have written to complain about products and
have been sent coupons. If they were defective products the coupons
provided replacements for what I had paid for. A couple years ago I had
an experience with liverwurst that I did not bother to write about. I
used to have liverwurst or liver pate on crackers with a Manhattan
before dinner. One night I bit into my canape and it had an absolutely
horrible taste. I spit it out and rinsed my mouth out. I got rid of the
taste, but not the memory of it. I was tempted to write, but I figured
that would just send me coupons for their product to replace the bad
stuff. It was so horrible that I don't eat that stuff any more and a
freebie isn't going to get me to try it again.




> The complaint about the crayons reminded me of a hotel review where
> the person complained that the front desk was too far from her room.
> I had stayed at that hotel, and yes a BIG hotel can be rather
> sprawling.
>


My son worked at a nice hotel while he was at university. During Pride
week some guy complained that the fridge in his room was not working. Me
son arranged for a replacement, which was done immediately. When the guy
checked out he did not want to pay. He claimed that the hotel guaranteed
satisfaction and he had had a faulty fridge. To him, it did not matter
that it had been immediately replaced. He still wasn't satisfied. He did
have to pay. I can imagine that a jerk like that would write a nasty
review.

jmcquown wrote:
>
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person pointed
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity brother
> owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review because someone
> took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one review where the
> customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't give their kid some
> crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
> decision?
>
> Jill

I've done a few reviews, both good and bad and none were knee-jerk since
it was a day or two later when I got around to it. In each case the
review was in-depth detailing the issues or highlights.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 11:28:09 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
>service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
>do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
>decision?
>
>Jill

I have given reviews and I try to be honest about it.

Just as important, I've taken the time to write to the owners of a
couple of restaurants. One in particular comes to mind.

A place that I pass on my way to work has been there for over 30
years. We never went there though. We received a coupon in the mail
(as did every household of our town) offering a free entree. OK,
maybe we should give the place a try. This was about the peak of the
downturn and restaurants were hurting.

I started with a thank you for the coupon. I also stated that while I
have some complaints, I'm not looking for a free meal, but to make him
aware of the good and bad.

I told the owner exactly what I liked and did not like. Steak that was
tasty but tough, fries that were undercooked and bit soggy, veggies
from a can, service was OK, a bottle of recommended wine that really
was good with a delicious chocolaty dessert.

I never heard back, nor have I revisited the place, but they seem to
be doing OK judging from the number of cars in the parking lot.

I won't bother giving a review of most of the chain places. One
exceptional visit, good or bad, can happen in places like that. A bad
server is often gone quickly, so why downgrade the place forever?

Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 11:28:09 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>

>>I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
>>service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
>>do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
>>decision?

>I have given reviews and I try to be honest about it.

You might want to check this out:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...y-setting-phon
y-sex-site-profile-diner-slammed-eatery-article-1.1154338


Steve

On 2012-09-09 15:28:09 +0000, jmcquown said:

> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person
> pointed out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his
> fraternity brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy
> review because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I
> read one review where the customer was upset because the restaurant
> hostess didn't give their kid some crayons.

Of course. I use Yelp when considering whether I want to drive
cross-county to try a new place, or to find new places to try. When a
place has 4.5 stars and 135 reviews, you can conclude that the owners
don't have that many kinfolk. Similarly if you find a place that has
2.5 stars and 60 reviews that the place has significant problems.

Sometimes you can quickly skim the reviews and find that "service"
comes up again and again. Okay, now you know. On the other hand
sometimes you find ALL CAPS reviews or sluglines that talk repeatedly
about how unsanitary the place is. Okay then, that might change your
considerations.

> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or
> other service companies) on these sites?

Yes.

> If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or do you sit down and write a
> review which might actually help someone make a decision?

I guess writing a knee-jerk reaction is possible. I'd gues they tend
to read "Food sucks here. I won't go again." That's not helpful and I
don't know why people do those. Someone who writes 4 paragraphs but
never gets off how snotty the wait-help and manager were makes it easy
for me to dismiss. The same with other very carefully considered by
myopic reviews.

When I write reviews it is usually a rating of 1 or 5, with few
inbetween. If it is 1, it is because I'm really irked at how horrible
the place is and want to warn others off. Most of my reviews are a 1.
But then there are really great places that don't have the traffic they
deserve, and those I give a full and detailed review.

The places I really love that are a little too crowded for me I don't
give any review, and don't recommend to friends: I've already got too
much competition.

On Sep 9, 11:28*am, "jmcquown" <j_mcqu...@comcast.net> wrote:
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. *As one person pointed
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity brother
> owns the joint. *Or a really good place gets a lousy review because someone
> took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. *I read one review where the
> customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't give their kid some
> crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. *Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? *If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? *Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone makea
> decision?
>
> Jill

I write up reviews often on various resto sites, and I try to be
fair. When using these sites for my own research, I consider the high
and low end of the review spectrum. ( The 'terrible' ratings on
hotels are a scream, if you're even needing a laugh. You'll see the
words 'bedbug' and 'roach' used liberally.)

I recently wrote privately to a guy who gave only 2 stars out of 5 to
a resto I've frequented. He said the food was OK, and the service
good. Why only 2 stars? Sometimes, ppl hit the wrong button and never
bother to edit. Or maybe he thought one star meant the best.

Tripadvisor is good, on lodgings especially. I even once asked to
edit a review of a certain lodging - it had seriously deteriorated,
to the point were I left in the night. Yes, they'll let you edit a
prev. review. They also send you a note on how many ppl have read
your reviews and found em helpful.

I love to read the writeups on the resorts they hand out as prizes on
Wheel of Fortune. Not exactly the Ritz, in most cases. I'll bet half
the winners pass on some of those trips - taxes etc. Just gimme the
cash, Vanna.and Pat.

On Sep 9, 2:23*pm, Dave Smith <adavid.sm...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> On 09/09/2012 11:28 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>
> > The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> > about these sites where patrons can write reviews. *As one person
> > pointed out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his
> > fraternity brother owns the joint. *Or a really good place gets a lousy
> > review because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. *I read
> > one review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess
> > didn't give their kid some crayons.
>
> > I'm just curious. *Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> > service companies) on these sites? *If so, is it a knee jerk reaction?
> > Or do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone
> > make a decision?
>
> I give no credibility to online restaurant review sites. The good
> reviews could be from the owners, their family and friends. The bad ones
> are usually from unreasonable whines.
>
> I came across a funny one the other day. I was checking online to check
> the hours for a rural greasy spoon. I know they used to be erratic but
> that it was under new management but I didn't want to drive 15 miles
> only to find it closed, and it is in the middle of nowhere. *I linked to
> a restaurant review site and most of them were good. One was very bad.
>
> * The guy was upset because they would not make him a hot chicken
> sandwich. It wasn't on the menu but he ranted that they had bread, they
> had chicken, they had gravy <?> so they should make him a hot chicken
> sandwich. But when the complained, the owner/cook came out and kicked
> him out. *I have met the owner and he seemed like a nice guy. I can't
> imagine him kicking someone out simply for asking for an item that was
> not on the menu, but I can see him doing it for some guy who was making
> a fuss over it.

So rural, no phone? Juice cans on string?

Yeah, he prob. just wanted to put that yahoo in his place. Ha.

"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person pointed
> out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his fraternity
> brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy review
> because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read one
> review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess didn't
> give their kid some crayons.
>
> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make
> a decision?
>
> Jill

I do sometimes. Not at lot. I did for a Mexican restaurant here that was
truly not good. Totally flavorless food and horrid service. Oddly, most of
the reviews gave the place glowing reviews. Must have been written by
friends and family.

I wrote a review for a Mexican place that I love. They had a couple of bad
reviews. One complained that the waiter was hanging out in the bar and
wouldn't leave. Odd thing there is that they don't even *have* a bar! Yes,
they serve cocktails but there is no actual bar where you can go in and sit
down. And I have never seen anyone hanging out in the area where you make
the drinks.

I think I have given a couple of other reviews to other places where the
service and/or food was particularly bad. And I will give a review if I
find the place to be outstanding. Sadly after I did this at one place,
things went downhill. They changed the menu so that my daughter's favorite
food was no longer on it. And the three times that I ordered a burger it
was raw inside. So we won't go back.

I tend not to review mediocre places. I just don't go back. Unless I have
to. Like for a birthday party or something.

On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 14:23:11 -0400, Dave Smith
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 09/09/2012 11:28 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>> The thread about Olive Garden and other chain restaurants made me think
>> about these sites where patrons can write reviews. As one person
>> pointed out, a lousy restaurant might get five stars because his
>> fraternity brother owns the joint. Or a really good place gets a lousy
>> review because someone took umbrage about some itty bitty thing. I read
>> one review where the customer was upset because the restaurant hostess
>> didn't give their kid some crayons.
>>
>> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
>> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction?
>> Or do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone
>> make a decision?
>>
>>
>
>
>I give no credibility to online restaurant review sites. The good
>reviews could be from the owners, their family and friends. The bad ones
>are usually from unreasonable whines.

Mostly the very supportive comments are from teh owners family and
friends. The very negative comments are from their competition.

>I came across a funny one the other day. I was checking online to check
>the hours for a rural greasy spoon. I know they used to be erratic but
>that it was under new management but I didn't want to drive 15 miles
>only to find it closed, and it is in the middle of nowhere. I linked to
>a restaurant review site and most of them were good. One was very bad.
>
> The guy was upset because they would not make him a hot chicken
>sandwich. It wasn't on the menu but he ranted that they had bread, they
>had chicken, they had gravy <?> so they should make him a hot chicken
>sandwich. But when the complained, the owner/cook came out and kicked
>him out. I have met the owner and he seemed like a nice guy. I can't
>imagine him kicking someone out simply for asking for an item that was
>not on the menu, but I can see him doing it for some guy who was making
>a fuss over it.

I can't imagine a restaurant that serves chicken and bread refusing to
serve a chicken sandwich, in fact this makes no sense, it's like an
Italian restaurant that serves meat balls and spaghetti but has no
meatball sandwhich on their menu... the story is not even logical...
if I wanted a chicken sandwich I'd order the chicken and use the bread
on the table and make the sandwich myself.

On Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:04:58 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 11:28:09 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>
>>I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
>>service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
>>do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
>>decision?
>>
>>Jill
>
>I have given reviews and I try to be honest about it.
>
>Just as important, I've taken the time to write to the owners of a
>couple of restaurants. One in particular comes to mind.
>
>A place that I pass on my way to work has been there for over 30
>years. We never went there though. We received a coupon in the mail
>(as did every household of our town) offering a free entree. OK,
>maybe we should give the place a try. This was about the peak of the
>downturn and restaurants were hurting.
>
>I started with a thank you for the coupon. I also stated that while I
>have some complaints, I'm not looking for a free meal, but to make him
>aware of the good and bad.
>
>I told the owner exactly what I liked and did not like. Steak that was
>tasty but tough, fries that were undercooked and bit soggy, veggies
>from a can, service was OK, a bottle of recommended wine that really
>was good with a delicious chocolaty dessert.
>
>I never heard back, nor have I revisited the place, but they seem to
>be doing OK judging from the number of cars in the parking lot.
>
>I won't bother giving a review of most of the chain places. One
>exceptional visit, good or bad, can happen in places like that. A bad
>server is often gone quickly, so why downgrade the place forever?

I never fill out thse review cards. If the experience is good and I
intend to return I tell the server and manager/owner and thank them...
if I know I'll never be tehre again I say nothing. If it's lousy I
simply leave and never return... it's not my place to tell them how to
improve. I did that once and my suggestions were not taken well,
there ensued a huge argument, the owner was an egotistical hot head.

On Sun, 9 Sep 2012 11:28:09 -0400, "jmcquown" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> I'm just curious. Do you ever write reviews about restaurants (or other
> service companies) on these sites? If so, is it a knee jerk reaction? Or
> do you sit down and write a review which might actually help someone make a
> decision?

I have done several. Usually on Trip Advisor or Yelp. I know I like to
see them when I'm looking for a restaurant.
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On 09/09/2012 4:57 PM, Kalmia wrote:

>> I came across a funny one the other day. I was checking online to check
>> the hours for a rural greasy spoon. I know they used to be erratic but
>> that it was under new management but I didn't want to drive 15 miles
>> only to find it closed, and it is in the middle of nowhere. I linked to
>> a restaurant review site and most of them were good. One was very bad.
>>
>> The guy was upset because they would not make him a hot chicken
>> sandwich. It wasn't on the menu but he ranted that they had bread, they
>> had chicken, they had gravy <?> so they should make him a hot chicken
>> sandwich. But when the complained, the owner/cook came out and kicked
>> him out. I have met the owner and he seemed like a nice guy. I can't
>> imagine him kicking someone out simply for asking for an item that was
>> not on the menu, but I can see him doing it for some guy who was making
>> a fuss over it.
>
> So rural, no phone? Juice cans on string?


Phone book? It is much easier to look up a number on line these days,
and a lot of restaurants have web sites, and those sites often have the
information you might be callng about,. like hours, location, menu etc.



> Yeah, he prob. just wanted to put that yahoo in his place. Ha.


I feel for people in the service business. Some members of the public
are just plain assholes. I saw one a few weeks ago in a bakery. The guy
had already had a bunch of items that had been packed in little pastry
boxes. Then he asked for a loaf of bread. The girl started to put it
into a paper bag. The guy got upset about her doing that. She offered
to put it in a plastic bag. Nope. He didn't want it. He was adamant that
he didn't want it. She seemed puzzled about his anger. I offered some
support after he left.... that she had done nothing wrong. Her boss came
out and said not to worry about it. The guy gives all the girls a hard
time so he always tries to deal with the guy himself.

One thing that you can count on is that the people who are completely
unreasonable in those sorts of situations are likely to be reporting the
incidents to their friends, except the story will be twisted around to
make the clerk look like the idiot.

On 09/09/2012 6:23 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> I never fill out thse review cards. If the experience is good and I
> intend to return I tell the server and manager/owner and thank them...
> if I know I'll never be tehre again I say nothing. If it's lousy I
> simply leave and never return... it's not my place to tell them how to
> improve. I did that once and my suggestions were not taken well,
> there ensued a huge argument, the owner was an egotistical hot head.
>


We had a cafe bakery in town that had a corner with an easel and
whiteboard, books, toys etc. I suggested to the owner that he should get
rid of the play area and put in a couple more tables for paying
customers. Oh no.... can't do that. The women who come in would go nuts.
I told him he could cater to people who nurse a coffee for an hour while
their kids play, or to people like me who want a place to have a coffee
and a snack and don't want to hear screaming kids. The cafe closed a
few months later.