Bad Meal in Lubbock? Things to Do Before You Leave a Negative Review

I think it's fair to say that we've all had a few less-than-stellar experiences at Lubbock restaurants for various reasons. Sometimes the service is slow, the food is bad, or we just don't feel like we got what we paid for. Some mistakes are egregious; others really may have been overlooked if we had started in a better mood. So what's the best way to handle a bad experience?

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Stay Calm and Give the Restaurant a Chance to Fix It

Most issues can be fixed nearly immediately if you bring it up politely. If your order is incorrect or there's lipstick on your glass (and it didn't come from you), these things can be fixed pretty quickly and "on the fly". You can get a cleaner glass immediately, and your food will usually jump ahead in the queue so you can have it as soon as possible. Getting mad, rude, or unreasonable will not help get your issue resolved.

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Be Specific About What Went Wrong

This will help your server or the manager to fix your immediate problem and possibly avoid the issue in the future. If you have an allergy and were served an ingredient they might not have thought about (this happens all the time with gluten), this is a great time to politely educate others about it. Remember there are some low-lifes out there that just want a free meal, so having specific feedback will help resolve your problem.

Know When to Ask for a Manager

If your server is unable to fix the issue, it is okay to seek a manager. As long as you are calm and polite and you tried with your server first, you're not being a "Karen". At many good restaurants, the manager will "touch" your table anyway, and you can bring up any issues then.

Take Photos or Keep Your Receipt

If you have a dispute about the billing or the food quality, this may prove useful, and it'll help the manager or owner access how the mistake was made and how they can best fix it.

Contact the Restaurant After Your Visit

If you still feel dissatisfied, or like that shift of folks was unhelpful in resolving your issue, you can always contact the restaurant later to give feedback. It might not benefit you immediately, but it could help the place improve.

Leave an Honest, Fair Review

If you allowed the restaurant to make it right and they failed to do so, you can absolutely warn others about your poor service. I take reviews like this much more seriously than ones that seem petty or vindictive.

Report Serious Health or Safety Concerns

If a restaurant is engaging in practices that can make people sick, you should absolutely report it. You can file a food safety or public health complaint by calling 806-775-2928 or online. Luckily, Lubbock has a dedicated public health department that takes health inspections very seriously.

It's been a tough time to own or operate a restaurant, as it has been for a few years. Many are doing their best to be their best, but you work hard for your money too. At the end of the day, "you vote with your wallet".  There are many great options in Lubbock, so you'll always have someplace you can go and have a great experience.