Ivan Alexandrovich Khlestakov complains about the quality of the food he is served at the inn.

When Khlestakov first finds out that the mayor is coming to see him, he thinks that he's going to be put in jail. Instead, he's surprised to find himself treated with fawning respect. Once he realizes that perhaps his failure to pay isn't going to be an issue, he begins to complain about the meal.

According to Khlestakov, the beef was as hard as a board. The soup smelled so bad that he had to toss it out the window. The tea only smelled of fish. The entire meal was unsatisfactory and not worth paying for. Since he wasn't able to pay for his meal, he's concerned that he's going to be in trouble for the lack of funds. However, the mayor—who believes Khlestakov is an inspector sent to judge his town—is quick to try to fix Khlestakov's concerns. He gives him money to pay his bill to the inn for his food and lodgings.

Khlestakov is able to keep up the ruse that he is the inspector and leaves town with more money after spending time with the mayor and his family. However, eventually, he writes back and reveals that he wasn't the inspector. He was just a person who didn't have enough money to pay for lodgings and the subpar food he complained about.