Ranking of the Dirtiest States for Dining: A Review Analysis

A recent analysis by Affordable Seating, a Chicago-based restaurant furniture company, has identified the ten states with the most complaints regarding restaurant cleanliness based on over 2.8 million TripAdvisor reviews from approximately 40,000 restaurants in 2024. The study focused on low-rated establishments, specifically those receiving 2.4 stars or fewer, and highlighted reviews mentioning terms such as "dirty restaurant," "hair in food," "rats," and "roaches." This ranking is derived from crowdsourced online reviews rather than official health department inspections.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

1. New Jersey: Leading the list, New Jersey had a staggering 320,520 mentions of "dirty restaurant," along with 1,883 references to "hair in food" and 810 complaints about pests. The volume of complaints was more than eight times higher than the average of the top ten states.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

2. Florida: Florida's ranking was influenced by complaints from major tourist areas, including Miami and Orlando, with 4,560 mentions of "dirty restaurant," 1,691 of "hair in food," and 636 regarding bugs and rodents.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

3. California: California's high ranking was primarily due to pest-related complaints, with 3,332 mentions of "dirty restaurant" and 1,731 references to "hair in food." It led the list with 960 complaints about rats and roaches.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

4. Arizona: Arizona secured its position in the top five due to consistent complaints across all categories, particularly in its populous metro areas.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

5. Texas: Texas recorded 1,068 mentions of "dirty restaurant," 471 of "hair in food," and 232 pest-related complaints, reflecting a broad distribution of issues across its large urban markets.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

6. Louisiana: The state had 951 references to dirty restaurants, 412 mentions of hair in food, and 399 complaints about pests, indicating a significant concern for cleanliness.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

7. Alabama: Alabama's complaints included 918 mentions of dirty restaurants, 404 of hair in food, and 141 pest sightings, though it reported fewer pest issues compared to other states.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

8. Maryland: Maryland's ranking was characterized by balanced complaint levels, with 884 mentions of dirty restaurants, 436 references to hair in food, and 201 pest-related complaints.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

9. Nevada: Nevada's position was influenced by a high number of pest complaints, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, with 881 mentions of dirty restaurants and 414 complaints about rats and roaches.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

10. Georgia: Rounding out the top ten, Georgia had 856 mentions of dirty restaurants, 375 references to hair in food, and 216 pest complaints, indicating moderate but consistent issues.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

While the rankings provide insight into cleanliness issues, critics argue that relying solely on online reviews may not accurately reflect the overall dining experience. Official health inspections, which are conducted by local and state health departments, may offer a more comprehensive view of restaurant hygiene.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

Affordable Seating's analysis emphasizes the importance of consumer feedback in assessing restaurant cleanliness. The company noted that the findings highlight significant areas for improvement in the dining industry, urging restaurants to address cleanliness concerns to enhance customer satisfaction.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

• “Florida Florida’s ranking was fueled by thousands of cleanliness complaints in major tourist hubs.” — Affordable Seating Analysis

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list

This ranking serves as a critical reminder for restaurant owners to prioritize cleanliness and address customer concerns to maintain a positive dining environment.

Diners rank the 10 ‘dirtiest’ states for restaurants — see if yours made the list