just because I try to regularly review places I go to

That’s what appears to be the problem. Quantity over some definition of quality makes it easy, and even creates the incentive, for some hustlers to go around soliciting money for positive reviews.

Pay and your shit is marvelous, the best in town. Don’t pay and you get 3/5 at best (I would presume smart hustlers don’t go for 1/5 often to avoid getting too deep into blackmail territory).

This is kind of funny, because in the “reviews” part of Google Maps, a “Local Guide” giving a restaurant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is usually a strong indicator that you shouldn’t eat from there 😉. That has been my experience, at least.