Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
3.1K
Restaurant Menu Says That There Is A Fee “For Adults Unable To Parent” And Netizens Are Raging
Every time we go to explore some new restaurant or cafe, a real adventure can await us. No, I don’t mean a ‘culinary adventure’ with incredible new tastes and foods, but a real thriller, when your bill may suddenly turn out to be much more impressive than you previously expected.
We recently wrote about a woman who was charged $11 for a few extra slices of sourdough bread, and today we’ll tell a story about a restaurant where you can easily get a hefty surcharge for your kids’ bad behavior… or for something the owner of the restaurant considered to be ‘bad behavior’. Intrigued? Then let’s read on!
RELATED:
Turns out, there’s a restaurant where a customer can get a surcharge in case the owner isn’t satisfied with their kids’ behavior
Image credits: Mochi Mochi (not the actual photo)
Just a small disclaimer – we also found this restaurant on Google Maps (it’s actually not that difficult), but we won’t reveal its name – just note that this is an American cuisine restaurant located near Blue Ridge, Georgia. The average rating on Google Maps is 4.1 with 2,033 reviews, but Tripadvisor users give the establishment a slightly lower score: 3.5 based on 1,256 reviews.
And now that you’re already roughly up to speed, here’s a photo of a menu fragment from the user u/LPineapplePizzaLover, who recently visited this restaurant. And a whole set of warnings immediately catches your eye, due to which the restaurant can potentially inflate your check amount to the skies.
The information on the surcharges is written at the bottom of the menu, and it really leaves quite some room for interpretation
Image credits: u/LPineapplePizzaLover
Here you can see both an ‘adult surcharge’ and ‘share charge’, and the wording is highly ambiguous. They say that when in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte needed to justify the coup d’etat he had committed from a legal point of view, he ordered his lawyers: “Write briefly and abstrusely!” I’m not sure if the owner of the restaurant is familiar with this story, but they fulfilled Napoleon’s behest flawlessly.
Image credits: Yan Krukau (not the actual photo)
Okay, let’s go over the reviews – maybe we’re just misreading the owners, and they don’t overuse passive-aggressive declarations in their own menu. But no, they still overuse them. At least a few reviews point directly to this. Especially to the restaurant management’s rejection of unruly kids.
For example, one of the customers writes that he received a surcharge for his kids’ bad behavior – even though, while waiting for food, the children sat peacefully with a tablet, then ate calmly – and left with his wife outside, leaving dad to pay. Perhaps the boss of the establishment believes that watching a tablet is harmful for children? Who knows?
Some reviews on various services claim that the owner behaved rudely towards some categories of customers
Image credits: Danielle Hampy
Image credits: Kyle Landmann
On the other hand, another review is really very upsetting. It turns out that an army veteran who lost a leg in the war once came with a group of friends, accompanied by his service dog – and the owner never wanted to let the dog into the hall, demanding documents confirming that it was a true service dog and whatnot…
The most annoying thing is that many visitors are really satisfied with the restaurant’s food, and many people also like the interior of the establishment. But the higher-ups’ attitude towards some clients, and these requirements regarding various surcharges written in the menu – this is quite possibly what lowers the restaurant’s ratings.
At the same time, many reviewers do say the restaurant really offers tasty food
Image credits: toccoariversiderestaurant
“Some restaurants and cafes actually prescribe such surcharges, but at the same time, it is considered a kind of good form to prescribe in detail what amount and for what a customer can face in addition to the bill,” says Vlad Ostrometsky, the administrator of UNIT Cafe in Odessa, Ukraine, whom Bored Panda asked for a comment here. “Otherwise, there really is quite a lot of room for misuse of vague language. After all, if someone’s toddler is running around, one person may consider it a nice and cute fun activity and another may consider it an outrageous disgrace.”
“Accordingly, the check will change. And the experience of visiting a restaurant, even if the food was incredibly tasty and the service was decent, will turn out to be ruined. As for that very 3.5% non-cash adjustment, it seems to me that this is nothing more than an ugly attempt to divert part of your income ‘into the shadows.’ It’s also not very graceful, although, alas, some also do this…” Vlad ponders.
Most of the commenters massively sided with the author of the post, claiming that even tasty food isn’t an excuse for such an attitude towards clients
People in the comments to the original post also noticed this, and many other strange requirements written on the menu, and completely agree with the original poster. “From the laundry list of extra charges they have, this just seems like a restaurant that uses any excuse it can to gouge customers more,” some of the folks in the comments don’t mince words.
However, some commenters also note that to compensate for such requirements, the cuisine in the restaurant must be truly delicious. “The food must be amazing for people to put up with that attitude on the menu,” one person aptly wrote in the comments. And as for you, our dear readers, what is more important – delicious food or decent service in a restaurant? Please feel free to share your points of view in the comments below.
Image credits: Francesca Cinel (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Anastasia Shuraeva (not the actual photo)
What do you think ?
Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
Speaking as an ex waiter who has had many, many unruly children run into me whilst carrying food and drinks, I fully agree with this guy. If you can't keep your children under control, please don't go out to eat, not only is it selfish and rude on your part but it is potentially bloody dangerous for your kids !!! 20 + years ago I saw a kid run full pelt into a waiter (This is what we were called back in the day folks ...) who was carrying a tureen of Chicken Noodle soup to a table, he got unbalanced and as much as he tried he couldn't stop the soup going over both himself and the kids BROTHER who was chasing the first brat round the restaurant despite their parents having been told several times to keep them under control. Nick ( the waiter, who btw was quite badly scalded) carrying the soup sued the boys family, fully supported by the restaurant owner, won the case and I believe took them for around £20k. The brother was scalded too but hey, he had s**t parents. Feel sorry for him.
PeepPeep the duck 2 years ago
I was gonna say the same thing, but if the comment about being charged for the kids being on iPads at the table, I’m not sure this particular manager is sane. And f**k yes to everything your said though 😂 I always hated the ones too that would put a newborn in a pram in the main spot you do your serving, not a parent but f**k it’s stupid. And I’m glad the waiter who was burnt got some retribution, cos we never get that 😂
Load More Replies...
detective miller's hat 2 years ago
People who let their children run wild in restaurants should be kicked out and banned from the premises, never mind fined.
Laura lee 2 years ago
Agreed. And those kids on tablets at the table: was the freakin sound on? Cuz that is annoying AF.
Load More Replies...
Seonag Udell 2 years ago
Why is everyone only focusing on the children bit, there are so many shifty things here to talk about. A sharing fee no way, would end up arguing like hell about this and not pay a penny
JayWantsACat 2 years ago
Yeah, the other fees are ridiculous and, sure, it could be taken advantage of but if parents actually parented their children and were considerate of the staff and other patrons by doing so then the 'lack of parenting fee' wouldn't even be a thing. Don't blame the restaurants for having this fee, blame your fellow a*****e parents who ruin it for everyone.
CJ Avant 2 years ago
I would hunt this place down and eat there just to know that people with obnoxious, loud, rude and screaming kids won't be there. I have HAD IT with people who think that any behavior from their kids is perfectly acceptable because, after all, they are just kids and don't know any better. I live these owners and appreciate that they are making parents either parent their kids or take the brats to McDonald's
Tiffany R 2 years ago
Very true, it's usually the parents who refuse to take action. My former god daughter was night and day when she was with my husband and I and her dad(mother was worse... Like peed in the bed, move to moms bed(still in pee clothes) then mom will handle all of itit when she finally gets up). Her dad tried to get her diagnosed with ADHD, but she was a normal child with me. After a week of parenting her, I would be able to take her to a restaurant, while Dad can't even take her to McD's. Well, now he can because she's a 7 year old drugged out zombie from ADHD medication she doesn't need...
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 2 years ago
If he's trying to force cash-only I can guarantee you it's so he can avoid paying sales tax to the IRS.
Alexandra 2 years ago
Part of the problem is that the owner did not specify what unruly behaviour on the part of children is, which leaves the situation open to arbitrariness. The owner should be clear in what he doesn't want so that prospective guests with children can make an informed choice not to go there instead of being blindsided. To be fair, the owner strikes me as a sourpuss....
Lori McCormack 2 years ago
Finally! Thank you BoredPanda! When I first saw this story I went to read the restaurant's review and I was absolutely appalled by the numerous reports about this owner's awful attitude, particularly towards vulnerable people like children and the disabled. I've been trying to tell people about it ever since because so many are just blindly supporting this policy and assuming that anybody fined must be bad parents. I've been so disappointed on the lack of news coverage showing this side of the story - the truth that this restaurant owner is an absolutely awful person who is abusive towards his staff & diners and is trying to milk them for every dime that he can. So I really appreciate y'all looking deeper into this story and sharing with everyone what you found. It's literally just the tip of the iceberg... There were so many reviews that were similar about the owner treating people poorly that there's just no way that they aren't true. Thanks again!
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
Agreed. Just a single deeper look raises many red flags.
Load More Replies...
LittleWombat 2 years ago
Plate sharing fees are not uncommon. In the US in re: gratuities, parties of 6 generally the tip is added and in these other scenarios, it isn't a bad idea to add a fair tip. (I know people who come for discount birthday meals and then only tip a "discounted" amount which is rotten; or check splitters who suddenly don't tip fairly.) If you're planning to tip fairly, it isn't a big deal. Lots of people don't think they're children are disruptive or unruly!!! That's WHY someone else has to tell them, although to be fair, they should get a single warning and the $ amount should be on the menu. And the restaurant is obviously just passing along the credit card processing fee they are charged along to people who use a credit card... even my veterinarian does that and simply encourages people to pay with a check or CareCredit, where there are no extra fees. The restaurant could just charge everyone the credit card price, as most restaurants do, so at least you have the option.
Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
Speaking as an ex waiter who has had many, many unruly children run into me whilst carrying food and drinks, I fully agree with this guy. If you can't keep your children under control, please don't go out to eat, not only is it selfish and rude on your part but it is potentially bloody dangerous for your kids !!! 20 + years ago I saw a kid run full pelt into a waiter (This is what we were called back in the day folks ...) who was carrying a tureen of Chicken Noodle soup to a table, he got unbalanced and as much as he tried he couldn't stop the soup going over both himself and the kids BROTHER who was chasing the first brat round the restaurant despite their parents having been told several times to keep them under control. Nick ( the waiter, who btw was quite badly scalded) carrying the soup sued the boys family, fully supported by the restaurant owner, won the case and I believe took them for around £20k. The brother was scalded too but hey, he had s**t parents. Feel sorry for him.
PeepPeep the duck 2 years ago
I was gonna say the same thing, but if the comment about being charged for the kids being on iPads at the table, I’m not sure this particular manager is sane. And f**k yes to everything your said though 😂 I always hated the ones too that would put a newborn in a pram in the main spot you do your serving, not a parent but f**k it’s stupid. And I’m glad the waiter who was burnt got some retribution, cos we never get that 😂
Load More Replies... detective miller's hat 2 years ago
People who let their children run wild in restaurants should be kicked out and banned from the premises, never mind fined.
Laura lee 2 years ago
Agreed. And those kids on tablets at the table: was the freakin sound on? Cuz that is annoying AF.
Load More Replies... Seonag Udell 2 years ago
Why is everyone only focusing on the children bit, there are so many shifty things here to talk about. A sharing fee no way, would end up arguing like hell about this and not pay a penny
JayWantsACat 2 years ago
Yeah, the other fees are ridiculous and, sure, it could be taken advantage of but if parents actually parented their children and were considerate of the staff and other patrons by doing so then the 'lack of parenting fee' wouldn't even be a thing. Don't blame the restaurants for having this fee, blame your fellow a*****e parents who ruin it for everyone.
CJ Avant 2 years ago
I would hunt this place down and eat there just to know that people with obnoxious, loud, rude and screaming kids won't be there. I have HAD IT with people who think that any behavior from their kids is perfectly acceptable because, after all, they are just kids and don't know any better. I live these owners and appreciate that they are making parents either parent their kids or take the brats to McDonald's
Tiffany R 2 years ago
Very true, it's usually the parents who refuse to take action. My former god daughter was night and day when she was with my husband and I and her dad(mother was worse... Like peed in the bed, move to moms bed(still in pee clothes) then mom will handle all of itit when she finally gets up). Her dad tried to get her diagnosed with ADHD, but she was a normal child with me. After a week of parenting her, I would be able to take her to a restaurant, while Dad can't even take her to McD's. Well, now he can because she's a 7 year old drugged out zombie from ADHD medication she doesn't need...
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 2 years ago
If he's trying to force cash-only I can guarantee you it's so he can avoid paying sales tax to the IRS.
Alexandra 2 years ago
Part of the problem is that the owner did not specify what unruly behaviour on the part of children is, which leaves the situation open to arbitrariness. The owner should be clear in what he doesn't want so that prospective guests with children can make an informed choice not to go there instead of being blindsided. To be fair, the owner strikes me as a sourpuss....
Lori McCormack 2 years ago
Finally! Thank you BoredPanda! When I first saw this story I went to read the restaurant's review and I was absolutely appalled by the numerous reports about this owner's awful attitude, particularly towards vulnerable people like children and the disabled. I've been trying to tell people about it ever since because so many are just blindly supporting this policy and assuming that anybody fined must be bad parents. I've been so disappointed on the lack of news coverage showing this side of the story - the truth that this restaurant owner is an absolutely awful person who is abusive towards his staff & diners and is trying to milk them for every dime that he can. So I really appreciate y'all looking deeper into this story and sharing with everyone what you found. It's literally just the tip of the iceberg... There were so many reviews that were similar about the owner treating people poorly that there's just no way that they aren't true. Thanks again!
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
Agreed. Just a single deeper look raises many red flags.
Load More Replies... LittleWombat 2 years ago
Plate sharing fees are not uncommon. In the US in re: gratuities, parties of 6 generally the tip is added and in these other scenarios, it isn't a bad idea to add a fair tip. (I know people who come for discount birthday meals and then only tip a "discounted" amount which is rotten; or check splitters who suddenly don't tip fairly.) If you're planning to tip fairly, it isn't a big deal. Lots of people don't think they're children are disruptive or unruly!!! That's WHY someone else has to tell them, although to be fair, they should get a single warning and the $ amount should be on the menu. And the restaurant is obviously just passing along the credit card processing fee they are charged along to people who use a credit card... even my veterinarian does that and simply encourages people to pay with a check or CareCredit, where there are no extra fees. The restaurant could just charge everyone the credit card price, as most restaurants do, so at least you have the option.
Related on Bored Panda
43
28