Peeling Back the Onion About Restaurant Dining: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (& The Stinky)

Restaurant dining is a universal social experiment that recognizes no national borders, is truly international, and enjoyed by everyone. It not only brings people together but exposes us to cultures from the less traveled to the seasoned veterans.

The restaurant experience is so embedded in the fabric of our societies that we have all had stories worth sharing. Here’s one of mine… 

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting this site and helping me keep ancient food stories alive. Learn more.*

THE STINKY: You Can’t Make This Up

Recently, my “old” high school friends and wives ate at a new local Italian eatery. It’s always fun to break bread, catch up, and enjoy a few good laughs over drinks and dinner. 

We chose the spacious patio because the evening was warm and it was less noisy than the busy interior. The waitress was young and cheerful and happily took our order of drinks, appetizers, and entrees. After about 20 minutes, one pasta entrée popped out. Surprised, we questioned the delivery before drinks and apps. She then explained (always with a smile) that when a dish is ready, it goes out regardless of the patron’s order or experience. Luckily, we didn’t order dessert either! Needless to say, the rest of the evening’s service was Russian roulette.

I surmised that the restaurant was run to their convenience (if they get 5 of the same dish, they make it en masse and fire it out) – simply expedience over experience.

Then, to boot, we were placed next to two manhole covers that wafted sewage and hung over our table like an albatross.  

THE BAD: The Struggles Behind the Scenes

The hit TV show The Bear gave us an inside peek at how a restaurant is much more than cooking food and filling tables – the owners, the chefs, the staff, the financial pressures, and the unpredictability that occurs every night.

Rising food costs, labor expenses, rent, utilities, equipment repairs, and consistency all directly impact the unsuspecting diners and can range from an amazing experience to a downright nightmare scenario (bad tummies aside). 

The reality? Restaurant ownership is hard work, and passion alone doesn’t pay the bills.

THE UGLY: What Nobody Wants to Talk About

Another “odd” experience I had was at a very established Italian restaurant (spoiler alert… I really have nothing against Italian) in my neighborhood. Again, another dinner party, this time with my basketball buds (retired but morphed into Pickleball) and wives. The maître d’ ceremoniously told us, “The restaurant is closed.” Even though it was filled with diners! When questioned, he unceremoniously replied, “There was a problem with the kitchen.” I left it like that and left (yes, for another Italian restaurant, which happily was excellent).

THE GOOD: Consistency Is Everything

So what separates a great restaurant from an average one?

It isn’t always the most expensive ingredients, the trendiest menu, the fanciest dining room, or the biggest marketing budget.

It’s consistency, night after night – good food, great environment, happy employees, a love for cooking, and a caring attitude. Any restaurant can have an off night; the recipe for success is to correct what’s not working and “tango on”.

THE LAST COURSE: The Unbridled Truth

Remember, a restaurant is not just a business built around food. It is a business built around people. And we, as customers, are all the richer in experience and enjoyment.

Because sometimes, the most important things happening in a restaurant aren’t on the menu.

What’s your experience with restaurants? Have you seen the good, the bad, or the ugly (and hopefully NOT the stinky)? 

Explore more in our Food Spotlights or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly stories and recipes inspired by history. Taste the rest of the story.

Selected Sources and Further Reading

• National Restaurant Association — The State of the Restaurant Industry
• National Restaurant Association — Industry Statistics
• CDC – About Restaurant Food Safety — About Restaurant Food Safety

Note to my readers:
My research draws on travel experiences, books, and, sometimes, AI tools. I love using my own photos whenever possible, but occasionally I include stock or AI-generated images to help illustrate the story.