Sending food back at a restaurant can feel awkward, but plenty of diners still do it. New data shows comfort levels vary sharply by age, with younger diners holding back more often than older ones. From wrong orders to undercooked meals, some reasons make returning a plate a no-brainer, while others barely move the needle. Here’s a closer look at when Americans speak up — and when they just eat what they’re given.
Older Diners Speak Up More
Over half of U.S. diners (54%) say they’re comfortable sending food back, but that jumps to 61% among those over 55. Younger adults, especially those 18–34, feel the opposite — 52% admit they’re uncomfortable doing it. Age clearly plays a big role in whether someone’s willing to flag down the waiter.
Millennials Hold Back
Only 41% of diners aged 18–34 feel comfortable returning food, compared to much higher rates among older groups. This hesitance means issues often go unreported, even when the meal isn’t right. For many younger diners, avoiding confrontation seems more appealing than fixing the plate.
Some Never Send Food Back
Across all ages, just 9% of diners say they “never” send food back — but that number climbs to 15% among millennials. It’s a sharp contrast to older diners, who are less likely to quietly tolerate a problem. For some, the idea of making a fuss is worse than eating a flawed meal.
‘Rarely’ Is the Most Common Answer
When asked how often they actually send food back, the top response was “rarely,” chosen by 38% of diners. Only 2% say they do it every time something’s wrong. That suggests even those who are comfortable with the idea often let small issues slide.
Wrong Order? Send It Back
If the kitchen sends out the wrong meal entirely, 85% of diners say they’d send it back. Only 9% would just accept it. This is one of the few scenarios where most people agree a replacement is worth asking for.
Undercooked or Unsafe Food
Eighty-two percent of diners say they’d return undercooked food, and 81% would send it back if it had a hair in it. Cleanliness and proper cooking are non-negotiables for most people eating out.
Dirty Plates Are a Dealbreaker
Four out of five diners (80%) wouldn’t hesitate to send food back if the plate wasn’t clean. Visible hygiene issues quickly turn a meal into a no-go for customers.
Missing Meal Components
If part of the meal is missing, 65% of diners would speak up. Still, more than a quarter (27%) say they’d just go without rather than send the plate back. That’s a surprising number given the obvious mistake.
Temperature Complaints Divide Diners
When food is too cold or too hot, opinions split. Just under half (48%) would send it back, while over a third (36%) wouldn’t bother. For many, this kind of problem isn’t worth the wait.
Overcooked Food Often Gets a Pass
Only 43% of diners would send back overcooked food, while 45% say they wouldn’t. It seems texture and doneness issues aren’t always dealbreakers for the average restaurant-goer.
Requests Gone Wrong
If a specific request isn’t followed — like “no onions” — just 38% would return the plate. More than half would simply eat around the mistake, showing how much tolerance diners have for minor slip-ups.
When It’s Just Not Your Taste
Disliking the food itself is rarely enough to send it back. Only 28% would do so, while nearly 60% would simply finish the meal. Personal preference alone doesn’t cut it for most diners.
Poor Presentation Doesn’t Matter Much
A messy plate presentation is a dealbreaker for just 18% of diners. The vast majority — 72% — would still dig in, proving looks aren’t everything at the table.
Portion Size Complaints Are Rare
Small portion sizes almost never lead to a return. Only 15% say they’d send the dish back for this reason, while nearly three-quarters would just accept it. Interestingly, younger diners are slightly more likely than older ones to push back here.
