08/09/2026
We don’t normally address negative reviews, but we wanted to share something from a small business perspective.
We understand we aren’t going to please everyone. What’s harder to understand is when someone continues to visit, continues to be unhappy, and then takes the time to repeatedly edit the same negative review over a period of months, causing it to appear as a recent review again.
If you have an issue with your food, please tell us while you’re here. Give us the opportunity to make it right, whether that means remaking your order or giving you a refund. And we completely understand if El’s East simply isn’t the place for you.
Over the past few months, we’ve dealt with more than negative reviews. We’ve also had instances of employees being cussed at and even having food thrown at them. There is absolutely no reason for that, and we will not allow our employees to be treated that way.
We welcome honest feedback, good or bad. But repeatedly updating the same negative review months later feels less like feedback and more like an effort to continually bring down a small local business that is simply trying to do its best.
Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of our customers have shown this little place so much support and have shown our employees kindness and respect. That means more to us than you know. We’ll keep focusing on the people who love our food, support our employees, and keep showing up.
El’s East (252) 470-8941
138 Highway 70, Smyrna
