Shall I tell them their food is driving me away?

[surprisepotbelly]

We've been going to our very local cafe since it opened three years ago. The kids love it. Very good cheap food and I've grown friendly with the owners. Live in inner London so lots of other cafe around - even next door - but this is our favourite.
Six months ago the owners hired a new chef. He may even be a new part owner - not sure. The food since has gone down hill. Small things... the eggs are now always overcooked and yesterday I was served something that was off (the waitress noticed I'd left it, apologised and told me it was old).
My kids still love this place as it has lots of space and they like the waitress ... but I've started taking them elsewhere, simply because when I think about the food I can't face eating it. When I walk past I notice that the tables are often empty.
The new cook also has quite a strong, unpleasant body odour.
So: I feel I ought to tell the owners. Part of me thinks they need to know as I am probably their most loyal customer and if I'm being driven away then the situation must be quite bad. I know they are struggling financially and need the business to work. But another part of me can't bring myself to criticise the food, particularly as I think the cook may be their new business partner.
My friend suggested an anonymous note but that's not really my style.
What would you do?

Have they got a feedback box?

I would tell them, yes. I'd also have told them I was served sonething off and sent it back. They'll go out of business if they carry on like this, so better they know

I would tell them.

It's a business. They need customer feedback.

It's not personal.

tbh though, unless they are stupid, they will surely be able to see the quality of the food, smell the chef, see the decline in trade and do the maths?

However, having a customer actually say it may give them the jolt they need.

If you care, which it sounds like you do, then tell them. I can't quite believe the waitress told you the food was old. I hope you complained about the food that was off.

They are never going to run a successful business with bad food practices and no feedback.

Go for it, be brave.

Yes. Be brave. You are right.
I'm quite friendly with the waitress and like her. She noticed I'd left the food. I don't normally leave food as I'm greedy. I paid the bill.
Afterwards she came over to me and said, I noticed you left the food and you don't normally do that. So I tried it and it's very bad. It's old. It's been in the fridge a long time. I told the boss and he said to give you the money back.
Sadly, I hadn't complained. Instead I wondered if something was wrong with my tastebuds (!).

I think they must know and perhaps can't do anything as they have a relationship with the new cook/business partner. The owner and the cook are often sitting together in a very many kind of way chatting.