People have rallied to defend a "lovely" Liverpool restaurant that serves "boss scran" after it was awarded a one star hygiene rating.
Long-standing Greek restaurant Zorbas was given the second worst hygiene rating last September but its owner Louise Michael told the ECHO the result was "unfair."
She said many of the comments by inspectors were about bookkeeping and not the cleanliness of the restaurant and its kitchens.
A copy of the report - seen by the ECHO - identifies a number of issues found during the September inspection, including over the labelling and cooling of food.
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Inspectors also raised issues with the restaurant's documentation, stating there was a "very poor attempt" at completion of key reports that restaurants are required to keep updated.
Responding to that report, Ms Michael told the ECHO: "The restaurant is very clean, we have never had any complaints from our customers in 49 years serving Liverpool. The restaurant is spotless but we didn't have our books, I think it (one star rating) was very unfair.
"My restaurant is spotless, we use quality meats and produce, no one around here serves what we do. My restaurant is not dirty."
Mrs Michael owns the restaurant with her husband Haralambous, who founded Zorbas back in 1974 when he visited Liverpool from Brighton and fell in love with the city.
Starting out as a tiny restaurant that could only serve 20 covers, it has expanded over the years and can now welcome 100 diners at any one time. After nearly 50 years in business it is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in the city.
Zorbas has a strong standing in the city and its regulars have come out in force to defend the restaurant today.
Commenting on the ECHO's facebook page, Chris Rogers said: "Ate in there loads of times over the years always spotless, boss scran tbf."
Lynn Hallows said: "Eaten here many times with absolutely no problem. Lovely restaurant. Will return again, without any hesitation."
Stan Warder said: "One of my favourites in Liverpool, been going there for donkeys years," while Debbie O'Reilly added: "Great restaurant food is great great atmosphere too."
Sam Talley added: "I'd rather eat somewhere that's clean but bad at paperwork than somewhere that's dirty and fills out the forms every day."
Jeanette Miley added: "Absolutely love this place and the staff never had a bad experience always been spotless and lovely food."
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