Forks Given is a food review site built around a simple idea:
judge restaurants by how well they deliver on what they claim to be.
We are not chasing hype, trends, or status. We are interested in execution.
A neighborhood burger joint should not be judged by fine-dining standards.
A polished bistro should not get a pass for sloppy fundamentals.
Context matters—and consistency matters more.
Forks Given exists to offer clear, repeatable, and fair evaluations of dining experiences, from casual local spots to destination restaurants.
Our Philosophy
Forks Given measures execution, intention, and repeatability.
Every restaurant makes a promise—explicitly or implicitly—about what it offers, who it serves, and how it wants to be experienced. Our reviews focus on one central question:
Did this place succeed at what it set out to do?
We evaluate restaurants using a weighted scoring system that looks at food quality, value, service, ambiance, execution versus intent, and the likelihood of return. Scores are derived from defined criteria, not gut reactions or social influence.
Popularity does not affect ratings.
Reputation does not affect ratings.
Consistency and delivery do.
The Forks Given Rating System
Restaurants are scored across six categories, each weighted to reflect its importance to the overall experience:
- Food Quality (40%) – Flavor, execution, balance, and consistency
- Value (20%) – Price relative to experience, adjusted for context
- Service & Experience (15%) – Hospitality, pacing, and friction points
- Ambiance & Environment (10%) – Comfort, noise, cleanliness, and layout
- Execution vs Intent (10%) – How well the restaurant delivers on its concept
- Return Factor (5%) – Whether we would return unprompted
Each category is scored independently, weighted, and normalized into a final Forks Given score. Half-point ratings come from math—not vibes.
Integrity & Disclosure
- All meals are paid for unless explicitly disclosed otherwise
- Complimentary items, if offered, do not affect scoring
- Reviews reflect a single visit unless stated
- A restaurant’s social presence or popularity does not influence ratings
Forks Given exists to be useful, not promotional.
Why Forks Given
There is no shortage of food content. What is often missing is clarity.
Forks Given is for readers who want:
- honest evaluations without theatrics
- consistent scoring across restaurants
- context-aware judgment
- writing that respects the reader’s time
If a place is excellent, we will say so plainly.
If it misses the mark, we will explain why—fairly and directly.
Who We Are
Forks Given is written by a husband-and-wife team who share a long-standing interest in food, hospitality, and how experiences are designed.
We dine out often—sometimes deliberately, sometimes casually—but always with attention to detail. Our backgrounds are not in professional food criticism, and that is intentional. We approach restaurants the way engaged, repeat customers do: with expectations, context, and a strong sense of what good execution looks like.
While our perspectives naturally overlap, we do not always agree. Where relevant, differing impressions are reflected in the final assessment rather than smoothed over.
Forks Given is not about personal brand or lifestyle content.
It is about the food, the experience, and whether it holds up.
