After a year since his last visit, infamous food critic Darius Cooks is back in St. Louis. With high hopes of being impressed, he reviews the city’s restaurant scene and gives his brutally honest opinions.
The love to hate Food Critic Darius Cooks, Facebook
Controversial food critic, Darius Cooks, has returned to St. Louis after a year since his last visit. This time, he came with high hopes of giving the city another chance to impress him with its restaurant scene. In my opinion, his recent reviews were mostly positive, with only a few establishments receiving negative feedback.
However, this did not sit well with some restaurants who were not given the opportunity to be reviewed, while others, including customers, supported his honest opinions. As someone who believes that St. Louis is one of the best food cities in the country, I feel that Mr. Cooks’ main goal is to stir up controversy and maintain his social media presence.
While I do not follow him personally, I have seen some of my colleagues heatedly discussing his views. I must admit, I do agree with his observations on the city’s customer service in some of these restaurants. They could certainly use some improvement.
As for the restaurant owners, they could benefit from more training before entering the food service industry. In conclusion, I believe that Mr. Cook’s reviews are no different from those who visit these establishments regularly. As such, there is no need to be upset when an outsider points out flaws. Let’s use his critiques as an opportunity to do better with our products and services.
Here is what he had to say in St. Louis. Keep in mind I am a fan of Salt & Smoke, and I disagree with him about the food.
Darius Cooks:
St. Louis, if no one can quote me – why yall so mad?!
I’ll tell you why:
1. You thought I was coming here to bash your city and blaming me would give you an out.
2. You’re super passionate about your city and you don’t want outsiders coming in talking about your city.
3. You have some really great restaurants, but there are 2 St. Louises that exist. Not one.
4. You have a subset of the Black community that accepts the status quo, is okay with mediocrity, and refuses to change. They subconsciously believe that the value in being complacent is far superior than that which would bring about a positive change.
5. You actually have amazing Black talent, but you don’t support them. Why?
6. Your talent is going to have to leave St. Louis in order to grow and it’s a shame because they went to grow right here at home.
7. The hood spots are completely killing yall. Brand new Black-owned estaurants are opening and serving food that is going to kill us. Everything brown. Everything fried. Not a piece of digestible riboflavin in sight.
8. The non-Black restaurant scene in St. Louis is leaps and bounds ahead of the Black restaurant scene. There’s no way you’re telling me you prefer Red’s, Elicious, and a rice house over places like Timothy’s, Olive + Oak, and Blood and Sand (which all got 5 out of 5).
9. It boils down to mostly socio-economic status. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, some generalizations ring true. Non-black restaurants that get high marks are are usually priced at a premium. The access to disposable income becomes even more limited when you’re already stretched to a bit of a limit.
10. You have a blame problem. Everyone wants to blame the next person for why their city isn’t on the map. I hear a lot of noise in St. Louis. I see very few leaders who understand what the noise is and is willing to do something by that brings about the change you cry so loudly about.
Anyway, just my morning thoughts. I thought about staying one more day, but after last night’s meal, my work this trip is done. I’ll send my ratings once I’m on the plane…
I thought “St. Louis supports our own!” And “You (meaning me, Darius) don’t know what you’re talking about!”
You have a Black-owned restaurant in St. Louis cooking food that’s up there with Olive + Oak and Blood + Sand – yet, you’ve been meaning to go to Rated Test Kitchen.
Happy 314 Day, St. Louis. Charlotte, I’ll see you next week.
Timothy’s The Restaurant
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 3 out of 5
Creativity: 4out of 5
Imo’s Pizza
Cleanliness: 2 out of 5
Service: 3 out of 5
Food: 3 out of 5
Creativity: 1 out of 5
Olive + Oak
Cleanliness: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 4.9 out of 5
Creativity: 5 out of 5
Salt + Smoke
Cleanliness: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 1 out of 5
Creativity: 5 out of 5
Blood & Sand
Cleanliness: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Creativity: 5 out of 5
Ferguson Chop Suey
Cleanliness: 1 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 5 out of 5
Creativity: 1 out of 5
Taztee Eats
Cleanliness: 3 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 3 out of 5
Creativity: 1 out of 5
Twisted Tree
Cleanliness: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Food: 3 out of 5
Creativity: 2 out of 5
St. Louis, we go through this EVERY city. Look at the food in front of you. Is it creative…yes or no? If it is, how creative is it?! Then rate it. Simple.
St. Louis, you DO NOT support your own. This is exactly why people have to leave St. Louis in order to become superstars………
Let’s conclude by delving into the identity of Darius Cooks and his lack of significance for our bottom line.
Headlines:
BBB warns customers about online Atlanta food personality
Enjoy 314 and I am OUT!
#DariusCooks #StLouisRestaurants #FoodReviewer