A pub landlady told a reviewer complaining about a hike in prices "to sit on the grass with a bag of crisps" if they wanted to save some money.
The customer had given The Boat Restaurant and Bar in Rugby a one-star review on Tripadvisor after paying nearly £16 for two pints of beer, a packet of nuts and a bag of pork scratchings.
This was apparently £4 more expensive than his previous visit, reports Coventry Live.
The pub's owner Susan hit back at the negative feedback, saying they had to raise the prices to cope with soaring food and energy costs.
Other people on Tripadvisor have praised the pub, however, applauding its food, service and even prices.
In the scathing review, the disgruntled customer said the owner was "taking the mickey" as prices have risen "big time", adding that they will not be returning to the canal side pub in future.
After visiting in July, the pubgoer said: “The Boat is conveniently located on one of our favourite cycle routes and over the years we have stopped for a pint many times. Inflation has certainly moved in big time recently.
“Two pints of cider, a bag of scratching, a small bag of nuts cost nearly £16, up about £4 from last month. Sad, but we will no longer be using this pub.”
Owner Susan did not hesitate to defend their establishment, saying: “I am stunned at this review.
"Not so much you complaining of price increases but your inference that we are doing this on purpose and are 'taking the mickey'."
She added that they were "not rubbing her hands together in glee" sitting on huge profits, saying they were forced to hike prices in order to survive as the price of food has soared in recent months.
“We, like everyone else, are undergoing huge price hikes across the board and our profit margins are shrinking in an attempt to keep our business going.”
Susan went on to criticise the diner and question whether they would have the same attitude towards larger companies who have hiked prices.
She said: “Have you been out lately? Would you go online and give one-star damaging reviews to the big giants like supermarkets, DIY stores or utility companies, my guess would be no but you think it is absolutely fine to go online and slate a small, hardworking family business as they struggle to keep up with the current economic crisis.”
She suggested the unhappy customer "take a water bottle and a bag of your own crisps" and sit on the grass rather than visit the pub again.
Susan said: “That way you can save a few pennies instead of stopping at our lovely pub and be served by a great team."
She continued: “On the note of what it cost you, two pints of Stowford at £5 each, a bag of nuts £1.75, and a bag of scratchings £2.75 (the cost of these have skyrocketed) comes to £14.50, £7.25 each and I think you would be shocked if you found out, after all of our costs how much we actually make out of your purchase.
“In future please keep your insinuations to yourself and only leave reviews on the standard of service and quality of the goods you received not on the state of the economy as believe it or not that is not our fault.
"Good luck In the future cycling on by and seeing many, many others enjoying our hard-earned hospitality, sitting by the canal.”
And many other customers have done exactly that, leaving hugely positive reviews on Tripadvisor.
One said: “Had a lovely meal at lunchtime, price reasonable, staff very friendly and helpful, lovely and clean and beautiful outdoor area.”
While another wrote: “Wow! Extremely pleasant experience at the Boat Inn at Birdingbury. Stopped on a long journey and just wanted some food. Turns out we had the best meal we have had in a long time.
"Staff were kind as anything, details were exquisite and the food was unreal. Would recommend for all occasions as even my 80-year-old grumpy grandad had an amazing time.”
