New Jersey Number 1 on This Dirty List and It’s Not Even Close

My family and I have been to dirty restaurants, and just like anyone else, we’ve never returned. Now imagine living in an area where the restaurants are on the dirty list of the filthiest in the country. According to TripAdvisor reviews that’s exactly where we’re living.

A new study by Affordable Seating researched which states have the most poorly rated restaurants among TripAdvisor reviews that mention bad food hygiene and cleanliness, and identified the filthiest states.

New Jersey is crowned the state with the dirtiest restaurants, with over 320,000 reviews highlighting “dirty restaurant” in the description. What makes it even worse is that it’s not even close. New Jersey’s dirty list rating is 854% higher than the average across the top ten worst states in the country.   

The dirty list also shows that we’re also the state with the hairiest food. There were 1800 complaints from customers in New Jersey finding hair in their food.

The state in second on the dirty list is Florida. They received only 4,500 complaints of dirty restaurants but had more than 600 reviews mentioning rats and roaches.

You’d have to travel way out west to find the state that’s third on the dirty list. That would be California with 3,300 “dirty restaurant” complaints, and the second-highest number of “hair in food” reviews behind the Garden State, at 1,700. 

The Golden State also had the highest number of rodents reported, with 960 mentions of rats and roaches making their rank 101% higher than the top ten average.

Arizona and Texas rank fourth and fifth, with 1,700 and 1,000 “dirty restaurants” mentioned respectively. 

If you’re wondering which fast food restaurants are the worst rated in each state, according to Reddit, McDonald's is at the top of the list in New Jersey.

While this dirty list was dominated by McDonald's, several others appeared throughout the country. They include Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC, Panda Express, Arby’s, Qdoba, Dairy Queen, Five Guys, and Shake Shack.

Our worst experience was at a Red Robin. We had been there before, but this time it was very different from previous visits. The worst part was that the floor was greasy. It felt like a kitchen floor that hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. After we were seated we gave it some thought and decided to exit quickly.

Maybe they were just having a bad day for some reason, but we haven’t been back since.

Lately, the subject of first dates occurring at chain restaurants has garnered significant attention. A recent survey asking women about their least preferred venues for first dates has ignited a debate on the internet. This list, which was shared on Instagram by @DuvalPromo, is reportedly the result of polling women to determine their least favored first-date locations.

Among the 28 establishments on the list are restaurant chains such as Applebee's, Chili's, and Denny's are featured. The top spot for the most unsuitable first date location is occupied by The Cheesecake Factory, followed by Applebee's, Chili's, Chipotle, and Olive Garden, rounding out the top five. It's worth noting that the list includes not only restaurants but also specific first-date situations, including "your house," family functions, a bar solely for drinks, and church.

Whether it's a first date or a casual meal, the question arises: Why do some people have reservations about restaurant chains?

According to Farm Credit Canada, a chain restaurant is defined as a business with four or more locations. These restaurants are typically large-scale operations with multiple branches, sometimes spanning different countries or continents.

The expansion of chain restaurants did not occur overnight. Many of them have humble origins in smaller, local establishments. For instance, the Cheesecake Factory, which currently operates over 300 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, began as a small bakery in Detroit and eventually evolved into The Cheesecake Bakery in Los Angeles in 1972, according to their website. It wasn't until the late '90s and early 2000s that additional locations began to appear.

Critics often express their reservations about chain restaurants, and there are valid reasons for their concerns. Many people prefer supporting local businesses over large corporations, as chain restaurant food is often mass-produced and served uniformly across various locations. Dining exclusively at upscale or independent establishments offers a sense of social prestige, something to brag about, and the feeling of indulging in a unique experience. However, ultimately, it's all about eating a meal.

There's something comforting about knowing that, for the most part, you can find something familiar to eat at any time and almost anywhere. Maybe that's why singer Walker Hayes dedicated his song Fancy Like, to the simple joys of eating a chain like Applebee's. So, let's chat about some of the reasons people actually enjoy dining at chain restaurants.

One of the advantages of dining at a chain restaurant is the predictability that comes with it. Local, independent establishments can be more hit-or-miss, often offering a more limited menu selection, which makes them a riskier choice for a date or group outing. When you open the menu, you can expect to find the same menu items prepared and presented consistently. Chain restaurants usually follow uniform recipes and they use the same ingredients, equipment, and standardized training procedures. You can expect a consistent experience whether you're in one part of the country or another. Restaurant chains are like your reliable pals on a road trip. You spot their logo on an exit sign, and you know it's there. It's that simple convenience that makes chain restaurants a go-to option, no matter where you are.

For many people, chain restaurants served as the primary dining option simply because they were the most accessible. You know how the place will look, how the wait staff is dressed, and how you are expected to dress at chain restaurants, ensuring a familiar dining experience wherever you go. Many diners have a soft spot for the food we know and love. It's like a comforting experience. Chain restaurant grub often brings back memories of late-night munchies after Friday night football games, college hangouts, and road trips.

Chain restaurants tend to be easier on the wallet compared to standalone establishments with more specialized menus and daily chef's specials. Most of us keep an eye on our dining budget and wouldn't want to feel like we've emptied our pockets for a single meal. That's why diners appreciate restaurant chains with Happy Hour, Budget Menus, and Late-Night deals.

Many local places struggle to seat larger groups, especially if you've got more than four people in your party. Unless you've made a reservation or a special request, you might end up waiting a while for enough room to open up, regardless of the size of your party. Additionally, local establishments sometimes arrange tables in closer proximity to maximize their limited space. Not everyone's a fan of dining elbow-to-elbow with strangers and involuntarily eavesdropping on neighboring conversations throughout their meal.