Should Vegetarian Restaurants Only Be Reviewed By Vegetarians?

June 5, 2007

There was a post over at Just Hungry about whether or not non-vegetarians could accurately review vegetarian restaurants. What do you think?

22 Comments

hugsandkisses2011 5 years 3 weeks

no they shouldnt rate it unless they understand the meaning of it and take the feelings and considerations of them in mind!

amber_castaldo 5 years 20 weeks

When I impress non-vegetarians with a dish, I feel more confident than when I get approval from a vegetarian. Many meat loves that I know are wicked picky. If I impress them then I made a good meal.

figurine 5 years 50 weeks

Of course not.

figurine 5 years 50 weeks

Of course not.

chatoyante 5 years 50 weeks

As a vegetarian, sure, I think I would get more out of a review if the reviewer was veg--they probably share my preferences more. However, I don't think that's a reason to restrict veg restaurant reviewing to vegetarians only--how would that make sense? I like to bring my meat-loving friends to try the fake meat at my favorite veg places...I think that if meaties like it, that means they did a good job making food with broad appeal. That's part of what's nice about veg restaurants--why would anyone want to make it into a clique?

chatoyante 5 years 50 weeks

poetess 5 years 50 weeks

Good quality food can be appreciated by everyone.

lms 5 years 50 weeks

No. Whether something taste good or not is based on how it is seasoned and prepared. Not whether or not it has meat in it.

mmooney7 5 years 50 weeks

No way, non-veggies are sure to like vegetarian options. It's not like they only eat meat every time they eat a meal, and if you're veggie, you know the carnivore will find a dish they will like, they just might not tell you :)

pinupsweetheart 5 years 50 weeks

Of course. They know what they are looking for.

maisiegirl 5 years 50 weeks

No! Honestly, good food, is good food. The culinary experience is not about compartmentalization, but rather exploration. I have been a vegetarian in the past; however, now that I sometimes eat meat, I love eating both. My tendency is to eat and cook more veggie and I just loving experiencing new food combinations, tastes, different perspectives on how ingredients are prepared. There are some many culinary delights to explore, be open-minded!

LaLaLaurie06 5 years 50 weeks

I'm kind of indifferent. I'm sure that vegetarians know a lot about the foods they eat, but there are some meat-eaters who probably like food so much that they educate themselves on all different things. If you're a professional food reviewer, I would think that would be your job. I mean, these people have to be open to trying new and different things, so as long as they go into the review with an open mind, I would say go for it!

The_coffeegirl 5 years 50 weeks

I agree- If the person reviewing is open to vegetarian food- no prob. Most carnivores would be surprised by how tasty veggie food can be. That said, if the food is good, it doesn't matter if you are a vegetarian or not to review it.

Cher412 5 years 50 weeks

Omnivores (like me) sometimes opt for the vegetarian route. it's also important for a meat eater to declare their opinion on vegetarian dishes.

eaker 5 years 50 weeks

Restaurant selections should be accessible to all types. Reviewers can be high-handed as it is. Relegating them to niche reviewing would make it worse.

calibabi 5 years 50 weeks

restaurants should be reviewed by someone with a great palate - vegetarian or not.

Danni99 5 years 50 weeks

I think it depends on the diet of the reviewer. Just like I wouldn't want someone who eats only Taco Bell to review the fine dining establishments, I wouldn't want someone who has no clue what a falafel is to review a vegetarian place. But just because someone is an omnivore doesn't mean they can't enjoy a vegetarian meal. If only vegetarians could review vegetarian restuarants, it would be more difficult for meat eaters to know whether they could venture in. Why be exclusionary?

ALSW 5 years 50 weeks

Why should it matter if they're vegeterian or not? I'm a meat eater, but I still enjoy a lot of vegeterian entrees and go to vegeterian restaurants.

cravinsugar 5 years 50 weeks

also, wouldn't it be saying something if a bonified meat eater goes to a vegetarian restaurant an dloves it? that means the food is good to those who already like it, and those who want to try it.