When it comes to food, technology has greatly influenced the way that people choose, experience, and even appreciate where they dine—and both positive and negative reviews play a big role in that. In fact, reviews of a restaurant/dishes is the No. 1 reason why diners choose one restaurant over another. Positive reviews can also contribute to how much customers spend at your restaurant, with 31% of diners saying they would pay more at an establishment with positive reviews. 

While it’s true people have always had strong opinions about food, today’s technology has given their voice more reach and made it easier than ever to share individual dining experiences with others. We took a deep dive through reviews on client menus and we’ve been reassured: people are totally passionate about what they eat. Here’s six of our favorites to prove it! 

#1: The one that’s finger lickin’ good: 

“The most finger lickin, lip smakin, mouth waterin, tender lovin, so good make you wanna smack your mamma ribs in the midwest.” 

Ribs, Blues Pit BBQ 

#2: The unofficial food critic: 

“I have been to your delightful restaurant twice in the past two weeks. The dishes were beautiful, and every bite was heavenly. I had the seasonal curried chicken crepe on both occasions, and it is honestly the best tasting dish I have ever had. The complexity of the flavor profile was impeccable!  

I paired it with the triple cream brie and pear salad, and she was also divine. The greens were so crisp and vibrant, as if they were pulled from a Cezanne painting and plated.  

The watermelon radish and cucumber scalloped edges did not go unnoticed and the whisper of sweetness from the candied walnuts and port gastrique was the perfect balance to the savory lardons. I even asked our lovely server, Angie, if the chef could prepare a side of the nightly greens, and both times they were delivered without hesitation and delectable. I cannot recommend this jewel of Columbia enough. An exceptional culinary experience is waiting for you just over the bridge. Merci Beaucoup for your talent and hospitality!”  

Seasonal Savory Crepes, Black Rooster 

#3: The stuff of legends: 

“The Pork Belly Tacos are the stuff legends are made of. Every savory, smoky, sweet, and spicy bit hits all your taste buds like a Plinko token heading towards the jackpot. Whenever I have family visit from out of state, this is the 1st place we go."

Smoked Pork Belly Tacos, Smoke BBQ 

‍

#4: Where “The Office” meets Pad Thai: 

“The Perfect Pad Thai – What is my perfect crime?  

I break into Lemongrass at midnight. Do I go for the vault? No, I go for the Pad Thai. It's priceless. As I'm taking it to go, a woman catches me. She tells me to stop. It's her father's recipe. She's Lemon. I say no, it's mine now.  

I tell her to meet me in Thailand, but I go to America. I don't trust her. Besides, I like the cold. Thirty years later, I get a postcard. I have a son and he's the chief of police. This is where the story gets interesting: I tell Lemon to meet me in Columbus by Goodale Park. She's been waiting for me all these years; she's never taken another lover. I don't care, I don't show up. I go to Lemongrass. That's where I can get the perfect Pad Thai.”  

Pad Thai, Lemongrass Fusion Bistro 

#5: The hot sauce connoisseur: 

“So, I'm a new hot sauce connoisseur. I've evolved off jalapeños; I now enjoy habaneros and generic shelf hot sauces are no longer spicy to me. I wanted something challenging, and ordered soup and grilled cheese, with Fire in the hole sauce on the side, to dip the grilled cheese sandwich into.  

Let me tell you something ... WOW 🤩.  

I could feel tingles in my ears. My lips were burning, and I've met my match, I could barely dip a second time. I put a lid on it and took it home. Later that night I tossed a few drops into my Ramen. Oh man, intense! I think I'm in Love 😻  

Fire in the hole does not disappoint and I don't think I'm at the tolerance level to enjoy how INTENSE this sauce. Thank you, Winking Lizard! Not only were your waitresses fantastic and were willing to indulge my bizarre request, the environment, the free popcorn, and clean bathrooms were a plus! Thank you.” 

Fire in the hole wing sauce, Winking Lizard Tavern 

‍

#6: The storyteller: 

"Since recently indulging in Urth Caffe's Poach di Parma, I have been enamored. Enthralled. Perhaps even in awe. This dish is my everything, and I yearn for it as I know that I personally cannot perfect it the way the people behind the counters of the Arts District Urth location, (who are true purveyors of fine foods), can do. The dish is so simple, yet so exquisite. So humble, yet brash. So recognizable, yet unique. 

 Starting with components as simple as the bread, or even the poached egg itself, the Poach di Parma "doesn't miss", as the youth these days like to say.  

Urth takes ingredients so basic and masters their places in the dish, as they dance smoothly en route to tie the entire experience together. While the crunch of the toast and the comforting warmth of the poached egg are the two sensations I recognize immediately, the robust taste of the ever-so classic truffle aioli is admittedly the first taste that hits my tongue.  

Many people with inexperienced palates call truffle "overwhelming" or "overrated", but I say nay. Because soon thereafter, the savory Prosciutto from a little place called Parma, for which the dish is named, takes center stage. Hand-in-hand with the sautéed wild mushroom and the perfectly poached egg, these main components eloquently give you that base that makes you think "this is not only the pinnacle of fine dining but also a substantial breakfast that will help me start off my day just right". 

In the middle, you get a bit of the bite from the arugula, which gives you reassurance that you eat healthily. Your body is a temple, right?  

That's why you only put the finest foods, such as a dash of arugula with your Poach di Parma, into it each morning. Continuing on, towards the tail end of your bite, you get the notes from the Reggiano Parmesan and the sage butter, which close your memory of each bite better than the Lakers and Dodgers both winning titles in their respective leagues brought a very grueling 2020 to a close. Consider it a rather majestic ending that could steer the mood of anyone's morning towards more pleasant waters. But wait! That was just one bite! Next thing you know, you must take another.  

Then another. Then, before you even know, you are hooked. You can't even stop for a sip of your large Gran Caffe Cappuccino while it's piping hot. It's worthy of me weaseling my way into a slot onto the TLC show, "My Strange Addiction". I have never done drugs of any kind, but I imagine that the serotonin release from finishing a Poach di Parma on the patio at any Urth Caffe location will be tenfold the release you experience from any other activity.  

It is my love, it is my passion, and it is one of many reasons why I keep coming back to Urth Caffe. P.S.: The Poach di Parma also comes with a side of melon, but I don't really like melon that much. Just wanted to leave you a heads up anyways."  

Poach Di Parma, Urth Caffé 

‍

What reviews mean for restaurant owners 

Whether it’s a five-paragraph ode to an omelet or a culinary recreation of a classic television scene, it’s clear people don’t mess around when it comes to talking about their favorite dishes. As silly as these funny restaurant reviews may be, online reviews can also put a lot of pressure on restaurateurs to perform at the top of their game; especially when the owner has little or no control over the publicity of the reviews—like with third-party review sites; one service misstep can become a huge reputation problem. 

With Popmenu, restaurateurs own review management and can accept and reject reviews as they flow in from the menu and website; so, they can highlight the positives and recover negative experiences directly and privately. Putting review management in the hands of the owner/operators ensures that reviews are truly helping the business grow rather than hurting the restaurant’s reputation. 

All-in-all, reviews are a great service tool and do a great job of enticing new guests through your door. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your website (or menu!)—you never know which ones will make you laugh, make you better, or help you build more customer relationships and lasting impressions.

Take control of your reviews and reputation—schedule a demo below!