ST. LOUIS, MO – August 31, 2026 (StLouisRestaurantReview) You might be surprised to learn that app ratings aren’t always the best indicator of great takeout. But if you’re trying to decide where to order sushi or enchiladas, it’s hard not to rely on app ratings. After all, you don’t want to risk a low-ranked option that might be missing sides or take forever to arrive.
App ratings, however, provide an incomplete picture of a restaurant’s quality. Read on as we unpack what goes into app ratings and why it pays to take a closer look at any takeout options you’re considering.
Check Recent Reviews First
If you’re looking at a review from five years ago, it may not reflect how the restaurant is doing today. New management, a fresh menu, or better delivery processes could mean the restaurant is a great choice now, even if it struggled years ago. Further, looking at just the average numerical rating, like a 4.6 out of 5, may not show how a restaurant has improved or declined.
Try to organize reviews so you can read the most current ones first. Look at feedback on food quality and delivery services. You want to see evidence that a particular takeout option is efficient and accurate when handling orders.
Reviews should indicate that food is hot and fresh. And if something doesn’t arrive as expected, look for indications that the restaurant worked with the customer to correct the problem.
When you’re ordering on an app, you want a smooth experience, too. Apps that crash or seem overly complicated to navigate are a turnoff. Make sure you can find comments endorsing the app as a quick way to place an order for your next date night or study session.
Look for Reviews After App Updates
Apps are always being updated as restaurants aim to offer better service. If order tracking was unavailable previously, for instance, a delivery business may update its app to include live tracking.
Consequently, it’s important to look at current reviews that reflect app updates. Reviews from several years ago may include complaints about glitches or confusing ordering processes. Ideally, you’ll want to see newer reviews that don’t point to app problems as a source of frustration.
Watch for red flags in recent reviews, too. Reading the same complaint several times in reviews from the past few months can indicate chronic issues that would be easier to avoid. You don’t want to put your budget toward a takeout option that’s unreliable.
Distinguish Food Issues from App Concerns
When you’re reading reviews online, always know that the restaurant and app are two different concerns. In other words, a perfectly delightful sub shop might just need to address some issue with its app.
On the other hand, a restaurant that serves up cold or overseasoned food may have issues with its internal operations. The staff may let orders sit out for too long. Or they may be disorganized behind the scenes.
Reviews can offer helpful insights into where a takeout option excels and struggles. Remember that the overall score a restaurant receives on an app may be a reflection of problems in one particular area.
Find Common Themes
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of reviews and scores on an app. That’s why it can be helpful to use tools that assess review patterns from several different apps. For restaurant owners and diners, seeing a summary of feedback, ranking details, and other insights is critical for dining or business decisions.
Using the AppFollow platform, for instance, can help clarify reviews and provide useful information that informs where you decide to order takeout. For busy restaurants, staying on top of feedback themes can help inform where you make changes.
Always Read Reviews Carefully
When you’re trying to choose where you order takeout, read the reviews and evaluate scores carefully in apps. Look at the most recent reviews first, and watch for patterns. Understand that some problems may focus on the food while others relate more to delivery service.
Ultimately, it’s best to weigh online feedback carefully as you look for the best takeout option.
Martin Smith is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of St. Louis Restaurant Review, STL.News, USPress.News, and STL.Directory. He is a member of the United States Press Agency (ID: 31659) and the US Press Agency.
