Parents Are Forced to Pay Extra $50 for 'Bad Parenting' at Restaurant

An American eatery found itself at the center of an online storm when users vehemently protested against one of its policies, which many considered remarkably drastic. The dispute began when a customer shared their dissatisfaction after being charged extra for what the restaurant deemed as poor parenting during their visit.

Customers anticipate more than just savoring their favorite dishes at a restaurant; they seek a delightful experience encompassing a warm ambiance and exceptional service. The atmosphere plays a pivotal role, enhancing the enjoyment of the culinary delights on offer.

Additionally, restaurant policies set the tone for customer interactions, ensuring a smooth dining experience. Clear policies guide staff behavior, ensuring patrons are treated with respect and courtesy. However, occasional unexpected situations can occur, leading to less-than-pleasant outcomes challenging the otherwise harmonious dining experience. A similar scenario unfolds in today's story.

The Restaurant's Unusual Policy

Nestled in the scenic mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia, the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant offers a picturesque setting alongside the meandering Toccoa River. It's a popular spot, reportedly evidenced by the long line of cars that stretches along the roadside during both lunchtime and dinner.

However, Richter declined an on-camera interview.

However, recent online backlash has surrounded the eatery due to a controversial policy. Customers have criticized the restaurant's management for imposing an additional charge under an unusual circumstance—poor parenting.

A Reddit post revealed a snapshot of the menu, displaying an explicit "adult surcharge" for those deemed "unable to parent," alongside a share charge of $3. The menu also supposedly stated that disrespectful behavior towards staff, property, or oneself would result in no service.

A dissatisfied customer, frustrated with the restaurant's strict policy regarding disruptive children, openly shared their discontent online, giving the eatery a mere one-star rating out of five. In their online review, they expressed:

"The owner came out and told me he was adding $50 to my bill because of my children's behavior. My kids watched a tablet until the food arrived, ate their food and my wife took them outside while I waited and paid the bill. Pretty sure the owner is doing drugs in the back. Disappointed by the experience."

A representative from a local media outlet visited Blue Ridge, where they spoke with the restaurant owner, Tim Richter. However, Richter declined an on-camera interview. He explained that he initiated the surcharge a few years ago during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Richter stated that he had never threatened to charge anyone until a couple of weeks ago when a family with nine children visited. He described the children as "running all over the restaurant." He clarified that he never actually imposed the charge on the family, opting to issue a warning instead, emphasizing, "We want parents to be parents."

More Negative Reviews

Surprisingly, it's been reported that additional customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the North Georgia restaurant. Another visitor to Toccoa Riverside took to Trip Advisor to voice their disappointment:

"Terrible place, dirty, cold food and ridiculous prices. I don't agree with such a small portion size, and the waiter was quite slow. The food was served sour and cold. Lastly the $50 bad parenting fee on the menu is disgusting [sic]!"

A Reddit user, who labeled the restaurant as "trash" due to its unlikely policy, shared comments from more dissatisfied customers. According to one account, individuals with children were advised to avoid the restaurant due to an incident where the owner accused them of inadequate parenting, imposing a $50 surcharge for perceived misbehavior.

The customer, part of a group of 21, praised their server but criticized the restaurant's practice vehemently. Another customer discouraged families with kids, recounting an encounter where they received disapproving looks upon entering. The manager allegedly scolded the customer's wife for rocking a non-crying baby, moved their stroller rudely, and criticized their choice of restaurant.

What Do Other Customers Think?

Customer Laura Spillman, from Florida, was taken aback upon learning about the restaurant's policy. She expressed her surprise, stating that it seemed unbelievable, and questioned the rationale behind it, mentioning, "That is crazy. For real? I don't think you should do it because kids are cute."

A second customer, Anne Cox, who visited the restaurant for lunch with her family, shared that the extra charge could motivate parents to control their children better. She emphasized the importance of teaching kids etiquette and proper behavior, stating that parents should educate their children about being considerate of others.

Federico Gambineri, who had his toddler with him at the restaurant, expressed concern about the policy. He mentioned that it was the first time he had heard of such a charge. Given that his 20-month-old might not always behave perfectly at a restaurant, he hoped he wouldn't be charged. He stated that if he were charged, he would be very unhappy and probably wouldn't recommend the place to someone else.

Jack Schneider, a regular patron, shared his mixed feelings about the surcharge. He noted that everyone had sat near noisy children at restaurants before, thinking that parents should do something about it. He believed the responsibility primarily lay with the parents in such situations.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you believe the restaurant should reconsider its policy, or should it maintain its stance despite public opinion? Click here to read another article about 30+ customers who experienced instant karma for their awful behavior.