Disputes over the quality of food and drink; whether certain food and beverage items were ordered by the customer; and whether the correct food and beverage items were delivered to the table or consumed by the customer are sometimes the subject of disputes between restaurants and their customers.

Laws vary from state to state but it is generally in both parties’ interests to resolve a dispute by agreement while the customer is still in the restaurant. If the customer leaves the restaurant without paying the amount the restaurant claims is owed, the customer may be charged with violating the state’s dine and dash laws. And if the situation escalates and the customer becomes disruptive or threatening, the restaurant may call the police while the customer is still in the restaurant, and the customer may be charged with other civil and criminal offenses.

Although a restaurant’s customer may dispute a charge with their credit card issuer/bank after leaving the restaurant, the customer’s success in having the charge removed by the bank does not preclude the restaurant from filing a criminal complaint and asking the local prosecutor to charge the customer with a crime—or from filing a civil lawsuit for payment of the goods (food and drink).

In Colorado, disputes over the quality of food and drink, whether the correct items were ordered and delivered, or consumed by the customer, are ideally resolved on-site while the customer is still present in the restaurant. This is beneficial for both parties to avoid further complications. If a customer leaves without settling the bill, they may face legal consequences under Colorado's 'dine and dash' laws, which could lead to theft charges. Additionally, if a customer becomes disruptive or threatening, the restaurant can involve law enforcement, potentially resulting in civil or criminal charges against the customer. While customers may dispute charges with their credit card issuer or bank after leaving, this does not protect them from the restaurant pursuing criminal charges or filing a civil lawsuit to recover payment for the consumed items. It's important for both restaurants and customers to understand that resolution at the time of service is the most straightforward approach, and leaving without payment or causing a disturbance can have serious legal repercussions.