“We went to a small restaurant that had a live band rocking out on a Wednesday night while a bunch of families tried to eat their dinners.”

“We couldn’t hear one another at our own table, couldn’t hear the waitress, etc. Unsurprisingly, they went out of business.”

“Live music is great if you’re not eating in a shoebox-sized restaurant, and the band isn’t trying to void the warranty on their speakers.” – dragon_wryter

“When they don’t put a price on the menu. It makes me not want to order anything just in case it comes out to $30 per dish, but I also feel embarrassed to ask for the price of each item.”

– Theoldage2147

“I personally like a dark and quiet atmosphere where I can sit in a high-backed booth and enjoy my meal with my family. Restaurants that are too open, too bright, and have loud music playing in the background ruin it for me personally.”

– X_brokeham_X

“People underestimate how much atmosphere can make somewhere a lot less appealing.”

“Once I found a chill, quiet, British-style pub with nice wooden booths and furniture where you could relax with a beer and actually talk to people, I realized why I hated going out before. I just needed a better atmosphere.”

– PolkaWillNeverDie00

“Slow service coupled to food not served hot enough because it’s been sitting in the kitchen too long waiting to be delivered.”

– Back2Bach

“There’s a famous restaurant in Denver called Casa Bonita that had legendarily bad food. I went there once as a kid, hated it, and never went back.”

“But people love it and will try to convince you to go. If you point out that the food is terrible, they will even agree with you but say that it’s worth it for the atmosphere. And I’m always like, it’s a RESTAURANT! Who cares about the atmosphere if the food is terrible?!”

“I heard a few years ago that it’s under new ownership. No idea if the food got any better.”

– KatieCashew

“A lot of good answers here but bugs top them all for me. The restaurant could have a 10/10 atmosphere, food, drinks, waitstaff, etc… but if I’m trying to swat flies away from my face and food every 10 seconds, my experience is ruined.”

“I’ve left places due to this. One of my favorite places in a downtown area has an amazing outdoor patio, but there’s a bee problem there they refuse to deal with. It’s a deal breaker!”

– Strongbad23

“Cutting quality to save money. Sometimes prices need to change, I get that as frustrating as it can be (and in all fairness that can ruin a restaurant for me just because of my budget, but I think that’s an exception), but cutting quality to save money doesn’t just make your food worse, it makes your image worse to your regulars.”

– ParkityParkPark

“Children on loud devices, so d**n annoying.”– Salt_Section_651

“A menu that’s way too freaking big, saying this as a food service worker.”

– N1hili

“When you see a menu with like four items to choose from, you better believe all four options better be perfectly delicious.”

– zuck_my_butt

“I personally can’t stand when the bussers or servers are going at 100% speed. Makes me feel anxious and like I need to be eating quicker.”

“I worked at a restaurant like this and they were borderline abusive and my coworkers would literally be sprinting around trying to get 10 things done at once. I prefer a relaxing environment and I’ll wait a bit longer to get my food.”

– reignthepain

“I went to a small restaurant that I’ve liked before. For some reason, the owners decided to put up a karaoke machine in the middle of the place. With the size of the place and how loud the machine was, you could hear everything at any table.”

“We sat down, heard a kid trying to sing ‘Let It Go’ full-blast and all decided to leave.” – KingOfSheepX

“When they don’t treat/pay their staff well. You can tell, especially if you’ve worked in the industry, and it seeps into every aspect of the place. You can practically feel it oozing out of the walls.”

– Hey_Its_Crosby

“Waitstaff walking towards me carrying a cake and singing Happy Birthday…”

– ccl_now

“QR CODE MENUS!!!” – notAgirl77

“A rude waiter/waitress.” – guacomolelove

“Loud obnoxious customers. Snootiness. Ridiculously high prices. Small portions. Under or over attention by the staff. Dirtiness. Bad parking situation. Seating much too close together. Should I continue?” – ZogNowak

“Bad food. It could be a hole in the wall with a leaky roof and horrible service, but people will still go if the food’s good. They’ll probably just call it a hidden gem with character.” – 4Ever2Thee

“Microwaved food.” – lllDaRklll

“When parents let their kids run around and knock shit over.” – scaryboilednoodles

“When the manager comes over to have an extended conversation with us, as if we’re becoming friends.” – yuribotcake

“Mandatory gratuity.” – reddit

“I really hate places that won’t give you a water jug – they always have the tiniest glasses too.” – reddit

“The wait staff and kitchen not pacing dishes appropriately or asking if we need anything 3 times in 10 minutes and then f** off for the next 20 when I actually needed my water refilled. Or refusing to just drop a water pitcher on the table when we ask and bringing multiple glasses of water that are 3/4s ice. I have a narrowed esophagus and am a teacher. We’re basically camels that refill each night because we can’t pee during the day. Give me the water I ask for so I can eat your food!” – fritz236

“Lights on in the evening – ambient mood lighting is best.” – petrastales

“Televisions. Teevee screens positioned all around the place and above the bar playing ‘the game’ and whatever other crap. The only time it works is for some important sporting event that everybody wants to watch and listen to. Otherwise it’s constant, distracting visual noise.” – BootsyRootsy

“Skimping on food for a meal thats way overpriced.” – mixxxxemotion

“Dirty bathroom. if the bathroom is dirty the kitchen is worse.

no matter how good the food i order carefully and never return.” – aprilmesserkaravani