Once celebrated as a viral culinary icon, Salt Bae is now facing intense backlash as outrage over £100 burgers, questionable food quality, rude service, and mounting negative reviews has turned internet adoration into anger, leaving fans disappointed and critics calling his once-golden brand an expensive illusion.

Once hailed as the internet’s most flamboyant culinary icon, Nusret Gökçe — better known globally as “Salt Bae” — is now facing a very different kind of fame, as mounting complaints, shocking prices, and a flood of scathing reviews have transformed him from viral legend into one of the most criticized figures on social media.

What began as a playful meme in 2017, when a short video of the Turkish chef sprinkling salt with theatrical flair took the internet by storm, has evolved into a controversy-filled saga questioning the price, quality, and ethics behind his luxury steakhouse empire.

The backlash intensified over the past year as diners across major cities, including London, New York, and Dubai, began sharing eye-watering receipts and brutally honest experiences.

Reports of burgers priced at £100, a simple bottle of Sprite costing $10, and steaks reaching thousands of dollars quickly went viral, igniting outrage far beyond food critics.

One widely circulated online review summed up the growing frustration: “The biggest scam I’ve ever experienced — undercooked food with a terrible smell, rude staff, and an outrageously expensive trick.

Do yourself a favor and eat at a local restaurant; it will be better and far cheaper.

” Similar comments flooded review platforms, many accusing the brand of prioritizing spectacle over substance.

Salt Bae’s restaurants, operating under the Nusr-Et Steakhouse name, were originally positioned as luxury dining destinations for celebrities, athletes, and wealthy tourists.

For a time, the strategy worked.

Photos of Hollywood stars, football legends, and influencers dining with Gökçe reinforced the image of exclusivity.

However, as the hype spread to a wider audience, expectations changed — and disappointment followed.

Diners who saved for months to experience the viral chef firsthand said they felt misled, describing meals that failed to justify their prices and service that ranged from indifferent to outright hostile.

The situation worsened as media outlets began reporting not only on negative reviews but also on a series of unfortunate incidents at various locations.

Stories surfaced about customers being pressured into ordering the most expensive cuts, surprise charges added to bills, and safety concerns linked to rushed kitchen operations.

In one widely discussed case, a customer claimed their steak arrived partially raw despite being ordered well-done, while another alleged that staff mocked guests who questioned prices.

Although restaurant management has denied systemic issues, the volume and consistency of complaints have made damage control increasingly difficult.

Adding to the controversy is Salt Bae’s shifting public image.

Once perceived as a humble butcher who rose from poverty in Turkey to global fame through hard work, Gökçe is now often portrayed online as arrogant and disconnected from everyday realities.

Viral clips showing him theatrically cutting meat in front of unimpressed customers, or posing while guests wait, have fueled accusations that the brand has become more about ego than hospitality.

“He’s selling a meme, not a meal,” one popular food influencer remarked in a viral video criticizing the experience.

Industry analysts note that the downfall follows a familiar pattern in internet culture: rapid viral fame followed by oversaturation and backlash.

“The meme made him famous, but it also set unrealistic expectations,” said one hospitality consultant.

“When people pay that much, they expect perfection — not performance.

” As inflation and economic pressure affect consumers worldwide, lavish dining experiences are being scrutinized more harshly than ever, and Salt Bae’s pricing model has become an easy target for frustration.

Despite the criticism, Gökçe continues to defend his brand, occasionally posting motivational messages and behind-the-scenes footage of his kitchens.

Loyal fans argue that customers know exactly what they’re paying for: a luxury experience and a chance to be part of internet history.

Yet even supporters admit the gap between image and reality has grown too wide to ignore.

Today, Salt Bae stands at a crossroads.

Once crowned the “saint of memes,” he is now frequently labeled one of the most disliked figures on social media — a symbol of excess in an era growing tired of viral spectacle without value.

Whether he can rebuild trust, adjust expectations, or redefine his brand remains uncertain.

What is clear, however, is that the internet that made him famous is the same force now holding him accountable, one overpriced burger at a time.