Food & Drink

Warning: The 25 Most-Complained-About Restaurants


Family at the airport terminal
Tim Winship

    And from the ever-growing Master List of Lists comes this, from

    Consumer Reports

    : the 25 most-complained-about chain restaurants.

    For context, the ratings are based on 170,838 reported visits to 238 full-service restaurant chains (so no McDonald's or Burger Kings). Some are regional, but many have a national presence, and thus might well be among the dining options for travelers visiting areas with fewer independent restaurants.



    Related: Is Uber a Force for Good, or for Evil?



    The offenders, beginning with the worst, as measured by the most complaints per 100 visits:


    1. Fricker's
    2. Dave & Buster's
    3. Taco Mac
    4. Native Grill & Wings
    5. Quaker State & Lube
    6. Buffalo Wild Wings
    7. The Green Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
    8. Huddle House
    9. P.J. Whelihan's Pub and Restaurant
    10. Joe's Crab Shack
    11. Hurricane Grill & Wings
    12. Wild Wing Cafe
    13. Hard Rock Cafe
    14. Rainforest Cafe
    15. Iron Skillet
    16. Texas Roadhouse
    17. Buffalo Wings & Rings
    18. Dick's Last Resort
    19. Logan's Roadhouse
    20. House of Blues
    21. Bar Louie
    22. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
    23. Waffle House
    24. Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill
    25. Duffy's Sports Grill



      Among the complaints' causes, excessive noise was cited most often, followed by poor service and badly prepared food. Survey participants who dined at Fricker's, for instance, dinged the chain for noise (22 percent of respondents), service (22 percent), "dirty environment" (22 percent), and food (12 percent).

      The complaints report is part of Consumer Reports' comprehensive

      Restaurant Buying Guide

      , which also includes ratings of 238 chains, tips on getting good value (10 or 15 percent AARP discounts at some popular chains, for example), healthful eating, restaurants that serve antibiotic-free meats, and so on.



      Reader Reality Check



      What are your most and least favorite restaurant chains?
  • More from SmarterTravel:

  • After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter@twinship.