A restaurant owner has snapped back at a diner who gave a bad review asking "if we are so bad, why do you keep coming back?"
After a TripAdvisor reviewer branded a restaurant "hit and miss", the owner of the popular desi restaurant asked the question as he said their continued custom proves "how good [they] are".
The New Soho Tavern, in Birmingham is a highly rated restaurant, famed in the city for its mixed grills, Birmingham Live reports.
It has a 4.5 star rating on Tripadvisor - as well as a Travellers' Choice Award in 2021. Out of more than 500 reviews - 365 are listed as 'excellent' while 100 are 'very good'.
But one reviewer did not agree.
One customer has been complaining about the food, state of the toilets and the teenage members of staff.
Their reviewer, who visited last December, said: "Whilst the food here is very hit and miss, just stick to the Punjabi curry. The toilets are a disgrace.
"This place needs hourly checks of the toilets especially when it is busy."
But Mikey, the owner of the New Soho Tavern, has now responded - asking the unnamed customer "why do you insist on coming back?"
The same reviewer also posted a review for the New Soho Tavern in 2018, saying: "I been coming here for a while, while food has never been terrible, it’s never been great. I come here for social reasons.
"I must say it is now advisable to avoid the food. Grills are full of red chilli powder, the curries are virtually non edible.
"Drink prices are not far off city centre prices, especially for soft drinks. If you have give this a place three or more you lot are clearly clueless about Indian food and quality.
"I agree it’s cheap, but other places nearby are far better. And as for service, you got about three or four clueless 16 year old taking food orders."
Owner Mikey responded to the reviewer's recent post - and he questioned why the diner kept coming back.
His response said: "We honestly do not appreciate your custom. You have give us negative reviews several times however you continue to come here.
"From saying kids run the place to the is food crap and now the food hit and miss, the toilets are bad. Honestly if we were so bad why do you insist on coming back?
"You are not welcome with your negative attitude towards us. You are yet to approach a member of staff regarding your concerns yet you are the first to go online and write about it?
"If you would like to discuss this any further please email. P.s we do have toilet check every hour. And you continued custom only shows how good we are."
The New Soho Tavern regularly receives rave reviews on Tripadvisor from customers.
Including one diner from in the last few months who had driven from Kent to visit after seeing the New Soho Tavern on YouTube.
They said: "Saw this on a YouTube channel and had to give it a go. Drove up from Kent on a dismal Saturday and wow did this place put a smile on our faces.
"Friendly and efficient staff, a buzzing atmosphere and the food. Ah the food.
"Simply the best lamb chops I have eaten in a long time. My mrs was doing the happy dance as she chowed down on her prawns."
Another reviewer said: "My husband and I haven’t visited since before the first lockdown so we were so looking forward to going back, and we were not disappointed.
"The mixed grill is still fantastic and we even had a side order of a curry - Amazing - so worth the wait, fantastic value for money, great atmosphere and we sat and watched the footie too- fantastic."
While Mike in January said: "I had the butter chicken which is full of flavour and has plenty of pieces of chicken! Also had the small mixed grill which is excellent to share whilst having another main!
"Third time here and definitely think it is the best curry house in Birmingham! Friendly and efficient staff and very clean!"
