19 Restaurant Red Flags Every Person Should Look For The Next Time They Dine Out

We all have a spot we love to enjoy a meal at, but not every eatery is always a good one.

Recently, Reddit user u/ArtsyAksel asked, "What are red flags at a restaurant?" Restaurant-goers were quick to chime in and had A LOT to say.

Here are some of the top-voted responses to keep in mind next time you dine out:

1."When you step up to the greeter's podium and see a roach run across it."

2."When the general state of the restaurant is in poor condition like stained walls, torn wallpapers, dirty floors, or stained furniture."

—u/Moon_Jewel90

3."Too many items on the menu."

4."Service/worker compensation charge snuck onto the bill that you have to opt out of."

—u/FeralTribble

5."Uncleaned toilets."

6."Someone said this to me last year, and in every single instance, it has held true. If the restaurant has any sort of smell that isn't food, don't eat there. Like a mildew carpet smell, or bathrooms that smell moldy."

—u/tinysc137

7."They're annoyed that you're ordering food."

8."Sticky floors."

—u/amosc33

9."When you go in and most of the guests have dirty plates on their tables and are looking around for a server. Add in empty tables still piled with plates and you know they are incredibly short-staffed. Time to bail out."

10."Incoherent menu. Cuisines that don't often have ingredients in common, which means some ingredients may sit longer."

—u/Freshlyhonkedgoose

11."If you don't smell food at a restaurant. There's a good chance everything is just microwaved. Also, flies. If you see one fly, no big deal. If you see multiple flies, leave."

12."Dirty floors, tables, or menus. First red flags, and back out the door you should go."

—u/MidianMistress

13."I always go to wash my hands after finding my table. If the soap dispenser is empty I leave."

14."Chinese restaurant with no Chinese customers, or similar scenario for other ethnic restaurants."

—u/theabominablewonder

15."The owner responding to every single negative review with absolute vitriol."

16."Dead flies on the interior window sills."

—u/Aunt-jobiska

17."Restaurants that feature seafood but do not tell you what that seafood is. Here in South Florida, we have access to tons of delicious, sustainable, fresh fish. If you go to a restaurant here and see 'white fish' or 'fish' without a description, that usually means it's a garbage fish not caught locally (often not fresh). Always ask what fish is used in your tacos, sandwiches, etc., and avoid anything the server has a hard time explaining or a fish you've never heard of that is not local or fresh."

18."No locals dining there."

—u/doomblackdeath

19."If Gordon Ramsay is filming there, get out."

What's your biggest restaurant red flag? Share it in the comment!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.