Crossword Genius

Untidy as an eating place? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

messy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'untidy' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'an eating place?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'eating place?' could be 'mess' (I've seen this before) and 'mess' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'y' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for messy that I've seen before include "Disorganised" , "Untidy, dirty" , "Dirty and disorderly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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