A popular restaurant is catching some heat after visitors noticed a sign posted at the front of the establishment. The owner succeeded in sending a clear message to parents, leaving many furious.
Old Fisherman’s Grotto in the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf of Monterey, California, is no stranger to making national headlines and stirring controversy. In fact, a sign they’ve had posted for years has repeatedly drawn negative attention for the establishment. First gaining attention in 2014, it seems owner Chris Shake is standing firm since his “anti-children” sign not only remains posted but has once again resulted in the ire of a new crop of mad moms.
Restaurants having and posting rules is not unusual, but perhaps what Chris Shake requests of his customers is a bit uncommon. “No strollers, no high chairs, no booster chairs. Children crying or making loud noises are a distraction to other diners, and as such are not allowed in the dining room,” a sign placed outside of Old Fisherman’s Grotto boldly states.
“I think it’s ridiculous. I think kids need to know how to behave in restaurants, and if you, don’t take them to them, they don’t know how to behave, and they shouldn’t be kept hidden away,” tourist Teresa Colombani said, voicing her displeasure over the sign that she found offensive. “Kids should be allowed in restaurants.”
“I would probably not go there to not deal with that sort of atmosphere,” Kelly Lozano added, expressing her feelings on the sign. “It surprises me because this is a family place — where you go with your kids for vacation.”
Another customer claims she was turned away when she asked for a high-chair for her 6-month-old baby. “I’m completely shocked because I never had that happen,” she said. “Usually, they cater, at least have a high chair for the child, but it seemed like they didn’t want any child. They said the child can’t make any noises so they turned us away.”
More recently, Angela Espinoza of Pittsburg posted about the restaurant’s policy in a Facebook group geared toward Bay Area moms after she and her husband had planned to celebrate their anniversary at Old Fisherman’s Grotto. “Whoa. I’ve never seen this before. I’m canceling my reservation at the restaurant after seeing this picture on Yelp – and I will not even have my toddler,” the mother of a 19-month-old boy wrote.