A seemingly ordinary restaurant review has ignited a fiery online debate about the balance of power between customers and business owners. The incident centres on Wang Tulum, a Chinese restaurant in Tulum, Mexico, and a patron named Anvita Kotha.
The Three-Star Review That Lit the Fuse
Anvita Kotha visited the hole-in-the-wall eatery and later left a three-star review online. She detailed her order of dan dan noodles and dumplings in chilli oil, expressing that while she enjoyed her experience, she was left wanting more heat. "Frankly, it wasn't spicy and not our cup of tea," she wrote, adding that even extra chilli oil and salt didn't elevate the spice level to her preference.
Kotha did offer praise, noting the restaurant used "premium matcha powder" for their lattes, which she described as "pretty great," and mentioned the availability of outdoor seating. Her feedback was mixed but not entirely negative.
The Owner's Explosive Comeback
The restaurant's owner, however, did not take the critique lightly. In a response riddled with sarcasm and spelling errors, they launched a fierce defence of their culinary standards. "I didn't know we had to have a requirement that our chilli oil needed to be spicy? Oh Anvita is coming let's cater to her because she's some Google guide!!!" the owner wrote.
The rant escalated as the owner accused Kotha of being "self entitled" and challenged her perspective on hospitality. "Sorry how about have some respect that restaurants are allowed and should only cater to the owners needs, not just the customers," they slammed, concluding with, "So we will not be listening to you because we don't cater your tastes."
A Social Media Storm of Opinions
The exchange quickly spread online, dividing commentators. Some applauded the owner for standing their ground against perceived entitlement. "As someone running a service business in India, I believe customers matter immensely — but true hospitality is built on mutual respect, not one-sided rule," one person commented.
Others criticised the owner's aggressive tone, pointing out that a three-star review is not a damning indictment. "The problem is a three-star review can kill a business. Even though three stars is meant to say just average," another user noted. Interestingly, the controversy had an unexpected effect for some, with several stating the owner's passion made them want to visit the restaurant more, calling it a "great marketing tactic."
The clash at Wang Tulum highlights the modern tension between customer feedback and artistic integrity in the hospitality world, proving that sometimes the most explosive reactions aren't found in the chilli oil, but in the comments section.
