Dining out should be an enjoyable experience, but sometimes it can be frustrating. I want to hear from you about what annoys you the most when you’re out for a meal. Here are the top five frustrations that I’ve identified from my experience and what restaurant owners can do to improve the dining experience for everyone from their most ardent supporters to the new guy who decides to stop in for the first time.

1. Not Being Human On Social Media

Ok, so this is something that not everyone might agree with but it's our poll so I'm going with it. Restaurants seem to be focused on getting rid of negative situations more than they are embracing happy customers and incentivizing them to spread the word. For instance, one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego hired a PR team to run their Instagram and wouldn't comment or engage with me on Instagram ... but instead simply sent me a request to use my photos. When I responded back to them that I could offer it to them if they comped my next drink ... silence!

On the other hand, Condado --- a taco restaurant here in Ohio wasn't really my favorite place, but they did a good job with food and it was a fun place to visit. Their social team "gets it". They reached out, asked about sharing my content ... but they sent me a gift card and invited me back to share more of my experience.

This action turned a single experience into a regular customer that now feels close to the brand.

let's take a look at some more frustrating points.

2. Poor Service

Nothing ruins a dining experience faster than inattentive or rude service. Training staff in customer service and ensuring adequate staffing levels during peak hours can greatly enhance the overall experience and ensure guests feel valued. This is something that you can overcome with better hiring practices as well as improved restaurant training. Most people aren't bad ... they just don't know how to do better.

3. Inconsistent Food Quality

Inconsistent food quality can lead to disappointment, especially if you’re expecting a particular dish to taste a certain way. Restaurant owners should focus on maintaining consistent kitchen standards and regularly training their culinary team to ensure every dish meets high-quality expectations.

4. Noisy Environments

Loud restaurants can make it difficult to enjoy conversations and can lead to an unpleasant dining experience. Owners can improve acoustics with sound-absorbing materials and design quieter dining areas to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.

5. Hidden Fees and Charges

Unexpected charges on the bill can leave a bad taste in customers’ mouths. This is especially true for me when it comes to service charges, and cost of labor surcharges. I get it ... prices have gone up but if you are going to charge me a service charge fee for takeout ... I'm just simply going to go somewhere else. If you try to position it as you are trying to save theenvironemnt or pay for your staff then just raise your prices and be fair about it. This is one reason why I will never do takeout from places that do this.

Instead, focusing on transparency in pricing and clearly communicating any additional fees can help build trust and prevent unpleasant surprises when it’s time to pay the bill. Customers might not like them and may choose to go somewhere else but at least it isn't a surprise when they get the bill or open the menu.

Have Your Say!

These are just a few of the common frustrations diners face today. I want to hear from you! What’s your biggest pet peeve when dining out? Vote in our poll and let restaurant owners know what they can do to make your dining experience better.

Happy dining!