A restaurant in Tampa has taken legal action against a diner who posted negative reviews online. The establishment claims her comments severely damaged its reputation, citing critiques like “sub-par” meat and “dried” spare ribs.
Irene Eng, a frequent reviewer on platforms such as Yelp and Google, found herself facing a defamation lawsuit last fall claiming at least $50,000 in damages after she rated Hales Blackbrick with just one star following her visit in December 2023.
The lawsuit describes the restaurant as an “innovative and inspirational Chinese restaurant,” managed by the award-winning chef Richard Hales, arguing that Eng’s review contained false statements about her meal and even featured an image of his wife, Jenny Jerez.
Eng’s review from December 11, 2023, while not entirely harsh, lacked praise. Although she mentioned that the food was “well presented,” she noted it was “a little too sweet” and found one server’s wine service to be “strange.”
Different dishes received varied feedback. She found the eggplant and mushrooms “great,” and called the tiger shrimp “delicious and juicy.” On the other hand, she described the spare ribs as “yes,” alongside the Hawaiian Prime Ribs, stating, “The worst thing: too much fat.”
While Eng did not try the Yangzhou Fried Rice, she mentioned that her friend described it as “greasy.” In a particularly critical remark, she labeled the coffee as “slippery,” dramatizing it with “Cardiac sin!!!”
When comparing to others, she commented, “Cantonese restaurants offer extra ribs that are soft and moist. These are not. They are unappetizing, dry, and would benefit from more cooking time.”
Eng, who is of Chinese descent, went a step further by questioning the restaurant’s food descriptions and even included a photograph of chef Hales’ “impressive mobile home parked in the lots.”
A Yelp Elite member, she has contributed over 660 reviews covering various establishments like restaurants, beaches, and libraries.
After the restaurant requested she remove a photo of Hales’ wife, Eng reportedly reposted a negative review in January 2024 and announced she wouldn’t return in October.
Hales readily condemned her reviews as “abusive,” “outrageous,” and “disrespectful.” He subsequently sent a cease-and-desist letter, demanding the removal of the review.
The reposted review led Yelp to issue a consumer warning label about potential legal threats related to the review, which the restaurant claims worsened its ability to attract diners.
According to the lawsuit, the review’s continuation has resulted in several issues for Jerez’s Black Brick, including reduced average ratings and negative impacts on search engine rankings, among others. These setbacks have reportedly hurt the restaurant’s income and reputation.
In February, Hillsboro Circuit Judge Christine A. Malewski dismissed the case, stating Hales had not proved his claims were valid.
Malewski noted that Eng’s reviews were intended for the public rather than aimed at specific business relationships.
Celebrating the dismissal on her blog, Eng deemed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and expressed her intent to uphold free speech.
Meanwhile, Hales, who has since closed the Dale Mabury location to concentrate on his new Hyde Park venture, acknowledged Eng’s right to express her opinions.
“I’m 1,000% about freedom of speech. You can say anything you want,” Hales remarked.
He also recognized the difficulties chefs face when it comes to handling criticism without seeming overly sensitive.
“We’re not delicate. We’re just people,” he added.
The restaurant sought comments from Hales, Eng, as well as review platforms like Yelp and Google.
Legal disputes over negative reviews aren’t unprecedented. For example, a company in Washington sued a couple for $112,000 related to a one-star review in June 2021, arguing it harmed their business. Similarly, in Texas, a luxury car dealer took legal action against a woman who criticized them on Yelp, but that case was also dismissed.
In 2020, a Florida property management firm filed a $1 million lawsuit against a critic’s review, and in 2016, a dental practice in Georgia sued a patient for leaving negative feedback, resulting in court dismissal.
Back in 2013, a couple from Utah took legal action against kleargear.com after being fined for negative reviews, showcasing a pattern of tensions between businesses and reviewers.
