Food52
Experiences & Reviews
Food52 is a U.S.-based food media and e-commerce company combining editorial content, community features, and an online shop for kitchenware and home goods. Founded by food writers and operators of a recipe-driven site, the platform publishes recipes, product guides and sells third-party and curated kitchen products alongside community-driven Q&A.
Overview & Key Metrics
Our Analysis
Service quality
Most reviewers report repeated service failures: delayed or unshipped orders, limited live support, and difficulty resolving order problems by phone.
Value for money
Several shoppers describe unexpected fees, withheld or delayed refunds, denied price adjustments and charges without timely delivery or resolution.
User experience
Customers mention problematic ordering flows: missing cancel buttons, default-address or checkout issues, and inconsistent or unclear shipment updates.
Product quality
Multiple reports of damaged, defective, or incorrect items received; a few reviewers still note desirable product selection but defects recur.
Communication
Reviews repeatedly cite poor support: unresponsive email, bot-only chat experiences, no working phone number and long or no replies.
Overall experience
Most reviewers describe negative overall experiences driven by fulfillment and support problems; one review highlights positive community resources.
Our Independent Methodology
How we analyze customer reviews without bias
Data Collection
We analyze public reviews from verified platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and Facebook.
AI Analysis
Our AI detects patterns in genuine customer experiences without modifying content.
100% Independent
Zero company influence. No payments, no bias โ just real customer voices.
Always Current
Updated regularly with the latest reviews and customer feedback.
Featured Customer Experiences
Representative examples from 21 verified reviews (January 2023 โ October 2025).
Eat Thoughtfully and Join the Vibrant World at 'Food52'
"I recently stumbled upon Food52, and I must say that my experience with their food community has been a delightful journey. Their website is an excellent resource for getting culinary advice, browsing recipes, discovering kitchen products, and even participating in cooking contests! The thing I appreciate the most about this platform is how supportive its audience is. Whenever I had any queries regarding specific ingredients or cooking techniques, I could always rely on receiving responses from experienced home-cooks who were more than happy to share their knowledge. Additionally, one of the standout sections of their website was definitely their hotline service. It's reassuring to have a professional chef on standby ready to help you through any recipe emergencies or answer any burning questions you may have mid-way through your cooking adventure. Food52 has played an integral role in helping me become more confident in the kitchen while pushing me out of my comfort zone to try new things โ something that isn't always easy as someone who generally sticks with familiar dishes. Overall, if you are looking for a thriving online food community where you can find exceptional resources and connect with like-minded individuals who love all things food-related; then look no further than Food52!"
Uneven Service
"First the good. This company has an array of desirable, quality products. Ordering is easy and they were quick to acknowledge my purchase. Where they..."
Scam
"I strongly advise anyone thinking about shopping with this company to stay away! They will take your money and never deliver the product. I placed an..."
Worst customer service - refund missing
"Worst customer service Returned some items worth $600, itโs been a month and they still havenโt refunded the money. There is no nu..."
All Reviews
Filtered, experience-based customer reviews from public sources; vague and duplicate submissions removed.
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All Customer Reviews
Sources: Trustpilot (20) ยท Collected.reviews (1) ยท Quotes shortened ยท As of: October 2025
Will NEVER SHOP THIS SITE AGAIN
Will NEVER SHOP THIS SITE AGAIN. Ordered leather gloves and wanted to return for larger size. Gloves cost...
Uneven Service
First the good. This company has an array of desirable, quality products. Ordering is easy and they were quick to acknowledge my purchase. Where they...
Donโt bother, no customer svc, or product
Ordered bowls for my sonโs birthday present. They were delivering in a week which was fine then pushed day after day after day after day. Email and cu...
Awful customer service
Awful customer service at this site. They say they have it but the chat is a bot, there is no phone number and it takes days to get an email reply. I...
There is no customer service at Food52
I wish I had read the reviews first because I would have saved myself a lot of grief. I too had a one-star (or less) experience. One of my items, acco...
Scam
I strongly advise anyone thinking about shopping with this company to stay away! They will take your money and never deliver the product. I placed an...
Placed an order for over $300 40 daysโฆ
Placed an order for over $300 40 days ago, was charged immediately, but it still hasnโt shipped. Sent multiple emails to cancel and refund,...
Is this a scam
Is this a scam? We reached out because we ordered 5 set cookware ceramics but received napkins in ou...
No Response
I purchased three ceramic baking dishes. They arrived promptly, but one had serious defects that are both aesthetic and functional. They have no custo...
Cancellation policy on website is a lie
Cancellation policy on website is a lie. No cancellation button on website, they require you to email them. Website says cancellation is possible if t...
Terrible company to buy from
Terrible company to buy from, even worse one to try...
Found Food52 in a Facebook ad
Found Food52 in a Facebook ad. Poor customer service is an understatement. Outsourcing your CS to the Philippines is great, by and large, but not givi...
Worst customer service - refund missing
Worst customer service Returned some items worth $600, itโs been a month and they still havenโt refunded the money. There is no nu...
Hi I returned my items ....
Hi I returned my items ....
BUYER BEWARE!
BUYER BEWARE!! Purchased and received a very expensive Le Creuset at the end of Oct and had it as a Xmas gift for a family member. When she opened it...
Buyer Beware
My wife and I purchased a pressure cooker from Schoolhouse for over $400. It lasted 10 months before the lid broke. I asked Schoolhouse to send a new...
This is a horrible company
This is one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with. First, I placed an order as a guest, forgetting to log into my account. They refused to cre...
Poor Customer service and Dishonest
A potentially good company with poor management who promises what they are unable to deliver. Recently I placed an order that went to the wrong addres...
Beware! Do not send gifts from Food52
They will not tell you when an itemโs shipping is delayed, then once you discover on your own they will not cancel the o...
Don't deal with Food52
I have done business with this company for years and most often there is a problem. I just placed an over $500 order and all of a sudden my PayPal Cre...
Conclusion
Food52 operates as a combined food media and retail site offering recipes, community Q&A and a shop for kitchen and home goods. Review data shows a clear split: the editorial and community features receive positive mentions, while many shoppers report problems with order fulfillment, returns, refunds and customer support. Examples in the reviews include timely delivery failures, unresponsive email/chat support, missing refunds after returns, and damaged or incorrect items. Potential buyers should weigh the siteโs community and product assortment against the reported risks to post-purchase service, and consider payment protections or purchasing high-value items directly from manufacturers.