Fake TripAdvisor Review For 'Amazing' Restaurant Brings Travelers To Trash-Filled Alley

In a major faux pas that questions the validity of online reviews (oh wait, there's Yelp for that), TripAdvisor somehow allowed a nonexistent restaurant to become one of the highest-rated restaurants in Brixham, Devon. The Telegraph reports that a listing for Oscar's appeared on the website in May, receiving "glowing reviews" for its food that is "something bordering on sorcery," providing the "most amazing meal" with Michelin-worthy molecular gastronomy tricks and fresh seafood.

Unfortunately, the address sent travelers into an alleyway filled with trash, Fox News reports. On July 20 and 23, two reviews popped up confirming that the restaurant does not exist (imagine that in Cady Heron's voice), and only after the Telegraph contacted TripAdvisor was the listing removed two days ago. "With over 70 pieces of content coming in every minute covering more than 2.7 million properties around the world, occasionally a review or business that does not meet TripAdvisor's guidelines may slip through the cracks, and in these rare cases, our members can report the material to us, helping maintain the high quality content of our site," TripAdvisor said in a statement to Fox News.

Of course, this isn't the only fake listing that has popped up in the online review world; two years ago, McDowell's from Coming to America was spotted on Yelp. Last year, Saturday Night Live favorite (Bill Hader come back!) Stefon was uncovered on Yelp reviewing hilarious bars and clubs everywhere. McDowell's is still up, but Stefon is gone (on Yelp, as well as on SNL).