Legal Question in Consumer Law in North Carolina

Yes. I don't know where you went or why the food was. Did you tell the manager? It has been my experience that when something is awry and you tell the manager, they are often willing to cut you some slack and not make you pay.

If they have a"don't care attitude", then I would pay. I would then go on every consumer website I could find and stick to facts about the horrible meal that you had at this place. I would never eat there again and I would make sure that I tell everyone I met about where not to go to eat.

Are they a chain restaurant? If so, I would still pay, but try writing a letter to the customer relations person in charge with a copy to the manager of the local facility. Again, tell them what a lousy meal you had and why it was bad (food was rotte, over/undercooked, insect in the food, slow waiter ... whatever). Tell them you complained (if true) to the manager and she/he did nothing. Tell them you would like the cost of the meal refunded and see what happens.