'I can only assume you have no tastebuds': Caustic owner of American-style diner leaves hilarious responses to negative reviews on TripAdvisor

• e-mail

Celena Collins, 50, fears her new Edinburgh establishment, Bruno's 7 to 7 Diner, is being 'nobbled' by jealous rivals who are putting up bogus one-star reviews in order to sabotage her business

The sharp-tongued owner of an American-style diner has taken to leaving acerbic responses to negative reviews because she believes she is being targeted by jealous rival businesses.

Celena Collins, 50, fears her new Edinburgh establishment, Bruno's 7 to 7 Diner, is being 'nobbled' by rivals who are putting up bogus one-star reviews on TripAdvisor in order to sabotage her business.

Ms Collins, 50, has hit back at her 'deluded' critics with a series of barbed counter-attacks which have been shared on social media.

The owner of Bruno's 7 to 7 Diner, which is located in the Tollcross area of the city, has so far received 64 TripAdvisor reviews, 29 of them 'excellent' and 19 'terrible'.

Some of the attacks are more than 1,000 words long and describe her eaterie as 'unfriendly', 'tacky' and 'greasy'.

One complained: 'Terrible management who argued and bullied both staff and customers...terrible menu...terrible food. Just don't bother. Many other quality restaurants nearby.'

Ms Collins hit back: 'We are a diner, not a restaurant. The clue is in the name.

'As regards to the food being greasy, overcooked, overpriced and unfulfilling, you are deluded.'

Another critic penned a 1,128-word diatribe against the restaurant including the complaint they were expecting a 'serious chilli fiesta' in the mouth but got something akin to Heinz Spaghetti Hoops.

Ms Collins replied: 'Wow...what a looooooooooong complaint...the sandwich was super spicy and if you're saying it wasn't I can only assume you have no tastebuds left in your mouth.'

A 10-paragraph, one star complaint mentioned 'slow service' and 'bad food', claiming the meal was 'undercooked' and 'greasy'.

The sharp-tongued owner of this American-style diner has taken to leaving acerbic responses to negative reviews on TripAdvisor because she believes she is being targeted by jealous rival businesses

Celena, 50, has hit back at her 'deluded' critics with a series of barbed counter-attacks on TripAdvisor

'We remember you and your partner well from Sunday,' replied Celena.

'Extremely miserable on arrival and extremely difficult to communicate with. You need glasses I think. 'Half our reviews one star' you say? Not true, as everyone can count.'

Explaining her robust approach to customer relations, Celena said: 'I feel like we have been targeted by customers leaving scathing reviews, slating us for no reason. I absolutely believe that some of the people who have left bad reviews are associated with other restaurants in the area.

'If we have screwed up I will put my hands up, but our service is impeccable and we have the best staff ever.

'I was brought up to treat people how they treat you, and if someone leaves a negative review I will always respond.

'We bend over backwards to make customers happy.' 

Bruno's 7 to 7 Diner in Tollcross has received 64 TripAdvisor reviews, 29 of them 'excellent' and 19 'terrible'

Celena (pictured) believes her diner has been deliberately targeted by customers leaving scathing reviews