A recent survey has cast a spotlight on the less-than-stellar performance of celebrity-owned eateries. According to an analysis by gaming website cases.gg, several establishments owned by Hollywood stars have received notably low ratings from customers. Among the most criticized were Wahlburgers, co-founded by actor brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg along with their chef brother Paul, and Robert De Niro’s Nobu. The study examined reviews from platforms like Google and TripAdvisor, focusing on restaurants primarily located in and around New York City. The findings revealed that many patrons felt these venues did not live up to expectations set by their famous owners.
The burger chain Wahlburgers topped the list as the worst-rated celebrity restaurant, with only 45.8% of its reviews garnering five-star ratings. This disappointing result was attributed to various issues, including poor service and food quality. One customer remarked that the food resembled “school cafeteria fare,” while another noted that being understaffed led to incorrect orders. Wahlburgers operates across 21 U.S. states, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but recent reports suggest that 79 locations in the Midwest are slated for closure. The New York outpost at Roosevelt Field Mall received a meager average rating of 3.3 on Google.
Robert De Niro’s upscale sushi establishment, Nobu, fared slightly better but still ranked third among the lowest-rated celebrity-owned eateries. Only 51.5% of its reviews earned top marks. Similarly, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville came in second, with just 47.6% of its reviews achieving five-star status. The Times Square location, in particular, struggled with an average rating of 3 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, where one visitor described both the service and food as “horrible.”
Other notable entries included Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by rocker Sammy Hagar, and Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, which placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Both venues received modest percentages of five-star reviews, with Cabo Wabo scoring 52.6% and the 40/40 Club earning 52.9%. Customer feedback highlighted concerns about overpricing and subpar food quality.
In contrast, some celebrity-backed ventures performed better. Lady Gaga’s parents’ Italian eatery, Joanne Trattoria, secured 54% five-star reviews, while Martha Stewart’s The Bedford on the Las Vegas Strip achieved 54.85%. Despite these relatively higher scores, they still lagged behind non-celebrity establishments. The survey underscores the challenge celebrities face when venturing into the competitive restaurant industry, where reputation and fame do not always translate into culinary success.
The disparity between public expectations and actual dining experiences highlights a broader issue within the celebrity-owned restaurant sector. Many customers may feel let down when the reality falls short of the high standards associated with famous personalities. Asaro, the research head at cases.gg, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between establishments that leverage celebrity names solely for profit and those driven by genuine passion projects. Ultimately, this survey serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars must deliver quality experiences to succeed in the restaurant world.