Nowadays, when deciding where to eat, many of us instinctively turn to Google reviews and social media to guide our choices. As a result, the concept of “hidden gems” is becoming a thing of the past, with most business owners eager to attract as many guests as possible to boost profits.
This shift has had an impact on London’s food scene, known for its mix of traditional pubs, Michelin-star restaurants, and various street markets, causing long queues and overcrowding at certain hotspots. Locals have claimed that the influx of tourists has made it increasingly difficult to enjoy their favourite meals.
To tackle this issue and prevent tourists from visiting their favourite places, they’ve decided to undertake an unexpected strategy and have resorted to “catfishing”. How does this work? Londoners have begun writing excellent reviews of places they would not visit to draw unfamiliar people to them rather than the places they would actually go to.
One of the targets is Angus Steakhouse, a chain with locations across London. While the restaurant is not considered particularly bad, exaggerated reviews are popping up on Reddit, X and TripAdvisor from locals hoping that tourists would go there instead of other, better places.
One of the viral reviews comes from a supposed vegetarian who started eating meat again after 15 years, saying that “even I can’t resist Angus Steakhouse’s steak sandwiches.” Another reviewer added: “Angus Steakhouse is on my wish list for the last meal I ever have. Absolutely phenomenal place. I just hope the tourists do not find out about it.”
The queue for Angus Steakhouse today
byu/precious_times_205 inlondon
Even though this is a clever way to try and chase away tourists, not everyone is falling for it. Many people were quick to figure out the trick, feeling something was not right but explaining that they could not really understand what.
While for Londoners this is a way to keep their favourite places private and without overcrowding from tourists, others have called this trick “cruel” and “pathetic and embarrassing”.
