California Eateries Rank Among Dirtiest in New Survey

Report finds high volume of complaints about rats, roaches, and poor food hygiene at restaurants across the state

Mar. 20, 2026 at 6:43am

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A new report from Affordable Seating, a company providing expertise in restaurant furniture, places California as the third-worst state for restaurant hygiene and cleanliness based on an analysis of negative TripAdvisor reviews. The survey found California had the highest overall mentions of 'rats' or 'roaches' among the top 10 dirtiest states, 101% higher than the average.

Why it matters

This survey highlights ongoing concerns about food safety and sanitation at restaurants across California, which could impact public health and the state's reputation as a culinary destination. The findings come as the hospitality industry continues to face staffing and operational challenges in the wake of the pandemic.

The details

The report from Affordable Seating analyzed TripAdvisor reviews with ratings of 2.5 (out of 5) or lower that referenced poor food hygiene or cleanliness. The keyword sweep focused on each state's largest cities, and the reviews were analyzed for terms like 'dirty restaurant,' 'rats,' 'roaches,' and 'hair in food.' California had the overall most mentions of 'rats' or 'roaches' among the top 10 dirtiest states, 101% higher than the average.

  • The survey was conducted in March 2026.

The players

Affordable Seating

A company providing expertise in restaurant furniture that conducted the survey on restaurant hygiene and cleanliness across the United States.

Zach Kanoff

A spokesperson for Affordable Seating who commented on the survey findings.

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What they’re saying

“It's shocking to see a high volume of complaints regarding food hygiene.”

— Zach Kanoff, Spokesperson

“If a complaint is necessary, it's worth making one. Hopefully, by doing so, the establishment will improve the quality of its food, making the customers happy and reducing the number of negative reviews.”

— Zach Kanoff, Spokesperson

What’s next

The report did not specify any definitive next steps, but the findings could prompt increased inspections and enforcement efforts by state and local health departments to address the issues identified.

The takeaway

This survey underscores the ongoing challenges facing California's restaurant industry, which must balance operational pressures with maintaining high standards of food safety and cleanliness to protect public health and their reputations. Proactive steps by both restaurants and regulators will be crucial to addressing these concerns.