The Horse & Groom in Braintree responded to the review, inviting the customer to the pub to watch the chef preparing the home-made curry.
The feedback, which was left by a user called 629robert said: “Home-made curry lol... microwave rubnish (sic) more like it. Full of drunks who would not look out of place on Jeremy Kyle.”
Assistant manager Jasmine Sheridan of the Greene King pub said the comment was “fake” and it was frustrating that someone was trying to damage the pub’s reputation.
Food is made on-site
She said: “You don’t get many drunk people in before 8pm and our kitchen closes at 8pm so I find that hard to believe that he saw drunk people before then."
The pub's response on TripAdvisor was as follows: “Hi Robert, really sorry that you weren’t happy with your meal.
“I can assure you that all our food is made on-site, right down to the tartar and barbecue sauces.
“I’d be more than happy for you to pop in and watch our chef while he makes the curry that you think is microwave rubbish. Many thanks.”
Nothing to hide
Sheridan said the pub has nothing to hide and the user was more than welcome to visit the kitchen to see what the pub does.
She has reported the review to TripAdvisor but has yet to hear back from them about removing it.
Meanwhile, operators gave advice on how to deal with customer blackmail on TripAdvisor, which included keeping calm and courteous and not giving in to demands.
Licensee of the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk, Brendan Padfield said his background as a solicitor helped him be more organised and take a careful note when it comes to blackmail on the review site.
When contacted by The Morning Advertiser, TripAdvisor said it took any allegations of blackmail or threatening behaviour by guests against business owners very seriously.