A restaurant where staff are trained to insult customers has been given a zero food hygiene rating. Karen’s Diner in Newport received the news from inspectors following visits since the extremely popular chain opened in Friars Walk to great fanfare in February.
The first visit was on February 22 while queues built up outside with people desperate to experience the diner famed for humorously “rude” service. Last week inspectors issued the zero rating and a list of ways the restaurant must improve.
Paul Levin, who oversees Karen’s Diner’s operations in the UK and Europe, said the Newport restaurant has now changed head chefs and the kitchen is “now how a kitchen should be”. He said they have written to the council to request a revisit.
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A spokesman for Karen's Diner in Newport said: "The visit took place five days after the official opening, whereby the restaurant had experienced delays with the gas installation. The fast hygiene inspection is thought to have been conducted due to the large media attention received by the opening of the immersive experience diner.
"Karen’s Diner remains committed in ensuring the utmost care and attention is provided when it comes to food and hygiene standards, and following advice on necessary improvements by Newport City Council, has requested a revisit for the diner to be rescored to its deserved hygiene level.
"Although an initial score rating of zero has been provided, Karen’s Diner would like to reassure its customers that the rectifications by Newport City Council were acted upon immediately, and the diner continues to celebrate positive comments and reviews by their guests."
Since it was announced in December that Karen’s Diner would open its first restaurant in Wales, excitement has been palpable across the region. Famed for its TikTok videos and unique service, the news of its Newport premises came as a shock to many, with Karen’s, which was established in Australia, only having a handful of stores in England.
It is not the first time Karen’s has received a disappointing food hygiene rating. According to the Food Standards Agency website, the Sheffield branch has a two, meaning improvement is necessary, and the Birmingham branch has a one score, meaning major improvement is necessary.
A council spokesperson said: "A food hygiene inspection was carried out at Karen’s Diner in Friars Walk within a week of opening to the public. Appropriate action was taken and the food hygiene rating will be published at the end of the month."
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