Restaurant roasts entitled influencer who demanded free food: ‘We appreciate paying customers more’
This entitled diner got an extra helping of humble pie.
A UK restaurant dished up a verbal smackdown to an “appalling” influencer who asked to eat at their establishment for free due to her supposed celeb status, as seen in a viral Instagram story.
“Oh what a surprise!” snarked the Manchester-based restaurant Lucky Ramen and Sushi in the post detailing the exchange. “Another thrilling DM from a blue tick superstar asking for a free feast in exchange for an Insta Post.”
They then shared a screenshot of the unnamed internet gourmand’s brazen request, which read, “Hey sorry I know it’s short notice but I’m in Manchester tomorrow and looking for somewhere for brunch with my partner, would you be open for a collab with my for a post on my story and page.”
Lucky Ramen said they don’t need “exposure” to pay the bills: “We’re just thrilled you appreciate our food, but hey, we appreciate paying customers even more.”
Unsurprisingly, the armchair epicure didn’t take too kindly to being publicly spurned.
“Personally, I think you’re bang out of order. HOW DARE you try and expose us like that???” she raved, per Lucky Ramen’s Instagram story. “So you think people like us don’t deserve to eat for FREE??? Just in case you didn’t realize, we are doing our best to help and promote you for FREEEE!!!”
She added, “We don’t expect much, just a free meal to compensate our the time, labor, effort, and positive energy that we are supplying you.”
The incensed influencer declared that she wouldn’t be “coming by anytime soon to support” despite Lucky Ramen’s inviting-looking food and vibe.
“Your arrogance makes me sick,” she concluded. “Haha very funny, you got a couple giggles but we’re the ones that are laughing. We go where we want, eat what we want and lastly — it’s all for free! WHO’S LAUGHING NOW???”
The Instagram commentariat was quick to put the entitled influencer on blast.
“Imagine having a food/lifestyle blog and thinking it means you’re entitled to eat for free every time you want to go to a restaurant,” criticized one viewer.
Another wrote, “here’s another reason to hate ‘influencers.'”
“Hey was wondering if I can come in for a free meal,” snarked a third, mocking the influencer’s audacious request. “In return I will eat your food.”
Others argued that the freelance foodie didn’t have as much “influence” as they thought. “Honey they [Lucky Ramen] are booked,” declared one Lucky Ramen defender. “They don’t need your exposure. We are all queuing for tables. Gladly.”
Apparently the Japanese joint wasn’t the only restaurant to be propositioned for complimentary grub. “Hahahaha yep they messaged us too,” said Manchester-based vegan dumpling depot Desert Island Dumplings.
In a final rebuttal on their Insta page, Lucky Ramen snarked: “Okay, aaalright… you got us! We’re truly sorry for attempting to uncover your behind-the-scenes tactics yesterday and, you know, us trying to make a living and s—t.
“Just hit us up with another DM, let us know when you’re swinging by to collect your well-deserved goodies, and don’t forget to leave a glowing 5-star review on both Google and TripAdvisor,” they added. “We appreciate your understanding and, once again, sorry for the ‘inconvenience’ we caused. Bon appétit + Arigato-the-f–k-outta-here.”
The freebie-seeking influencer scourge is causing agita on this side of the pond as well
New York City chefs restaurateurs and servers alike have also grown tired of the phenomenon with many telling the social media skin flints to pound sand.
“People want to get a free meal on a Saturday night for four friends,” Brooklyn Chop House and Brooklyn Dumpling Shop owner Stratis Morfogen told The Post in 2022. “We say no to influencers more than we say yes.”
