Look Out For One Restaurant Red Flag Before You Even Step In The Doors

Restaurant quality ranges from your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon to the world's best restaurant of 2024, Disfrutar. One big reason for this disparity comes down to whether the business is committed to managing the details that make for an exceptional eatery. And while an establishment claiming a Michelin star is a sure indicator that it's serving superior fare, there are plenty of culinary gems that are unable to boast that achievement, and you would be remiss to pass them over. Unfortunately, there are some places that don't meet the mark of an acceptable eating establishment — and you can tell if that's the case just by driving by.

If a restaurant has trash littering its parking lot, it may be best to move on to the next eatery. A dirty parking lot can be a sign that the business isn't paying attention to the subtle details that make for a compelling dining experience. Even worse, the place might not put a lot of stock in cleanliness.

Think about it: If that grill or pizzeria doesn't care what it looks like on the outside, is it really going to be all that concerned with the quality of your food? An unkempt parking area shows a lack of commitment to sanitation that may carry over into the kitchen. But it's not the only red flag — there are also a couple of other tells you can see through your car window that indicate when a restaurant might not be a great choice.

There is always a chance a restaurant you haven't tried before could be a hidden gem. But if you step out of your car and see dirty doors and smudged windows, they could signify potential problems on the inside. It is essentially the same as a dirty parking lot — a transparent signal the establishment isn't taking care of the details.

At the end of the day, what really matters is that a restaurant is serving quality food. Yet it's the details that make that goal a reality. From the lighting that affects a restaurant's dining experience to back-of-the-house employees studiously cleaning the kitchen after every service, the little things are what make culinary institutions successful. When preparing to fork over your hard-earned dough for an exquisite meal, it's wise to take a good look at the outside of the establishment before you step inside. It is an easy way to discern whether the restaurant is simply going through the motions every day or truly has a commitment to excellence that will translate onto your plate.