Whether you dine out every week or only on special occasions, you’ll want to enjoy the experience, especially if you’re paying for it. And naturally, one of the most important aspects of your meal is the quality of the food. But what should you do if your meal is unacceptable when it arrives?

No one should expect to put up with bad food without making some form of complaint. But to complain effectively requires politeness, which isn’t always easy in the heat of the moment.


Is it worth complaining?

Deciding whether the situation warrants a complaint is a matter of personal judgment. No one wants to tuck into frozen peas or burned steak if they specified rare. Likewise, poorly prepared and presented food or a meal that doesn't match up to the menu description, can leave a customer less than satisfied. In these situations, a polite complaint is definitely in order.

However, if you do decide to complain, remember this could mean another period of waiting time if a new meal has to be cooked. If there is something else on the menu that might be quicker to arrive at your table, consider ordering that instead. Otherwise you may be the only one eating your meal while your companions sit watching.

What stage to complain

It’s always best to complain immediately. Under no circumstances should you wait until you've eaten half the meal whereby your complaint is unlikely to receive a sympathetic response. There may be occasions where you don’t realize anything is untoward until you've partially eaten some of the meal. For instance, where layers are involved such as a pastry top. In such instances, you are entitled to complain once you’ve come across the problem.

Who to complain to

Your first port of call when making a complaint should always be the person who served you. If they are unable or unwilling to help, ask to speak to the manager or whoever is in charge. Keep in mind, although you are complaining to the waiter, you aren’t blaming them. More often than not, the problem with the food is the responsibility of the chef or kitchen staff.

What to say

How you phrase your complaint and the tone you use can have a significant effect on what happens next. Before saying anything, consider what you’d like the outcome to be. If the food is burned, you should ask for a replacement dish. If it’s cold, ask for it be heated up. Or if your salad is swimming in dressing when you asked for it on the side, politely ask for a replacement dish without being rude. As long as your server responds positively and agrees to your request, there shouldn’t be any further need for complaint.

Further problems

If, after politely complaining about your meal, your server is unhelpful, you may need to take a firmer stance. If they are unable to replace your meal for any reason, for example if the dish has run out, you should be offered an alternative. If this is unacceptable to you, let them know that you are not happy with the solution. At the very least you should not expect to have to pay for any part of the dish which you were unable to eat due to the restaurant’s error.

Bad food doesn't have to ruin your dining out experience. Therefore, if a meal doesn't meet with your expectations, you should always complain by speaking to your waiter as soon as possible. Not everyone finds it easy to complain, politely or not. Some people prefer to say nothing while others are inclined to shout abuse. However, everyone appreciates good manners and complaining in a polite way will always help to instigate a positive outcome such as providing you with a meal you can enjoy.