Lubbock, Take Negative Local Reviews With A Grain Of Salt

This has bothered me for days, so I must get it off my chest.

A couple of nights ago, I was idly scrolling Facebook when I saw a post from a Lubbock restaurant group that allows for negative reviews (some do not, and I think they are on to something).

I saw a harsh review of a local restaurant that I had never heard anything bad about. It's an elevated, chef-driven, and intimate type place.

Long story short, the "review" (now deleted) was a man claiming that the restaurant did not honor a promotion that had been posted days before on Facebook. Of course, people glommed onto this including the group's moderator, to say that was unethical, how dare they, I'll never eat there, etc.

Turns out the man was wildly misrepresenting the truth. There was a moment of misunderstanding and it was corrected immediately. Not only did he get his discount, the restaurant doubled it.

Of course, he failed to mention that part and had to put in the petty mention that "there were only two other tables there" as if that were a mark of quality in Lubbock, during the summer, on a Wednesday night.

Nearly every local Lubbock restaurant is hurting right now. It's a tough economy, students are gone and Summers are always slow here.

I'm grateful the owner saw the post in time for some people to read the truth about what happened, but I know many people saw the negative and will hold on to it, missing out on a remarkable and unique culinary experience forever.

Yes, you are entitled to your negative opinion if you had a bad experience, and you are entitled to tell others. However, remember that people can and do exaggerate and even straight-up lie, like this male Karen did.

It also wouldn't surprise me if it came to light that some negative reviews are purposeful sabotage by another business owner, their family member, etc. I'd hope not, but again, it's a really tough Summer.

Personally, I don't leave negative reviews, even if I have a horrible experience. I either give the place a chance to make it right, or I simply never return. I am not interested in potentially destroying someone else's livelihood.

So take these negative reviews with a grain of salt. Ask yourself- could they have a motive? Are they exaggerating? Were they likely the worst customer ever and went into a place looking to be miserable? Are they a male Karen who should be sentenced to nine years dish pit?

Everyone has bad days. If you're really worried about wasting your money on a bad restaurant, look at several reviews, not just one- good or bad.