Couple branded 'riff raff' by Middlesborough restaurant after complaining about meal

'I felt degraded and disgusted'

A couple who complained about their meal were left shocked after staff at the restaurant branded them as “riff raff.”

Jo and Jason Savage visited The Oven in Middlesborough for a romantic date night but were unhappy with the food they received.

Despite not being on the menu, Jo ordered prawns for her main meal while husband Jason opted for the parmo - a breaded meat cutlet topped with cheese.

The pair said they were left disappointed after Jo slammed her choice as “rubbery” and branded partner Jason’s option as “greasy."

After complaining to restaurant staff the couple received a refund for their food, however, still unsatisfied Jo decided to post her grievance on Facebook.

The review quickly sparked a response from the restaurant which saw the couple branded as “riff raff” who staff didn’t want to serve in the first place.

“When you arrived at 9.15pm, the waiter didn’t want to serve you based on your appearance, against our better judgement we did!” the message read.

“You received eight prawns, ate six of them and then sent two back and complained they were disgusting after you’ve eaten the majority and some of your husband’s parmo – no wonder you couldn’t fit in the last two prawns!

“We then took your meal off the bill – free of charge – yet you have the front to say we are a disgrace!

“Hey ho! Lesson learned, always trust your better judgement, next time we will protect our customers from riff raff.”

Upon reading the message Jo said that she felt “sick” and “shocked to the core.”

“I felt degraded and disgusted," she told Gazette Live.

“We lived in Dubai for five years – we are not riff raff.”

Jo also explained that she thought the comments about their appearance was completely untrue.

"I had a peach jumper with pull-up sleeves, which was brand new and some shiny black leather pants and boots which were also brand new as they were my Christmas clothes," she said.

"Jason had a Henry Lloyd top, which cost £70 and isn’t cheap or scruffy – we were dressed smartly."

Nonetheless, the restaurant refused to apologise and insisted that staff “bent over backwards” to please the couple