A viral ranking compiled by Chicago-based Affordable Seating analyzes over 2.8 million TripAdvisor reviews from around 40,000 restaurants to identify the ten US states with the dirtiest dining establishments. The study focuses on restaurants that received low ratings of 2.4 stars or fewer, particularly highlighting reviews that mentioned cleanliness issues such as dirty dining rooms and pests like rats and roaches. The findings draw attention to the states where patrons have the most serious complaints about restaurant cleanliness.

Among the ten states identified, New Jersey emerged at the top, showcasing an alarming rate of complaints relative to other states. This ranking does not rely on official health department inspection data, but rather on anecdotal reports from diners, emphasizing the potential disparity between customer experiences and official cleanliness standards. As the restaurant industry faces scrutiny over hygiene practices, this sort of analysis may push restaurateurs to improve their standards to meet customer expectations.

The implications of such rankings could have significant effects on patronage, as cleanliness heavily influences dining decisions. Restaurants in the identified states might face challenges in retaining customers, culminating in negative impacts on their reputations. Furthermore, this awareness can influence diners' perceptions, leading to increased demand for transparency in health and hygiene practices and put additional pressure on local health departments to ensure thorough inspections and accountability.