This Restaurant In California Banned Loud Kids, And People Are Not Happy

It’s no secret that bringing kids to a restaurant can be a little difficult, especially if they are loud and messy. In fact, bringing kids to certain restaurants is often seen as a controversial issue. Still, children are welcome into dining establishments, even if their behavior is a little out of control — well, most establishments, at least. A restaurant in California took a stand against disruptive kids, and people are really not happy about it.

Old Fisherman’s Grotto, a restaurant in Monterey, California, has always had a strict rule when it comes to children: If kids are loud or disruptive in any way, they won’t be allowed to dine inside. This isn’t a new rule, as it’s been in place for years. But after a string of bad Yelp reviews pertaining to this rule in particular, the place has come under fire and is gaining a lot of media attention. Many parents and other diners are not happy about the restriction, and they aren’t about to let the issue go quietly.

A sign outside of Old Fisherman’s Grotto makes their stance on kids clear, as it states: “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.”

At first glance, it might seem like the restaurant doesn’t allow kids at all, but that’s not the case. The owner, Chris Shake, spoke to KTVU to defend the years-old policy, saying, “We have many families who dine with us with their children who are well-behaved and understand our policy with respect to other diners. What we have found on those who write negative reviews about our policy are those who have not dined here, but become offended by the sign and our policy.”

[FACEBOOK_IA_AD_TAG_1]

The restaurant is known for their stance on disruptive children, and Shake said that many people actually go there because they agree with the policy. One review, by a Yelp used named Jenny B, stated, “I support your child-free/no screaming kids policy! The irony of these self-centered parents complaining is that THEY are the reason this exists in the first place. EVERYONE is tired of having their meal ruined by a screaming kid and apathetic, inconsiderate, indignant parents who refuse to do anything about it. If you don’t like it, GTFO.”

Many parents, however, do not feel the same way. Angela Espinoza, from Pittsburg, also spoke to KTVU about the sign, saying she had cancelled her reservation at the restaurant after seeing the picture on Yelp. Espinoza, who has a 19-month-old baby boy, told KTVU that she had planned to celebrate her four-year anniversary with her husband at Old Fisherman’s Grotto, but changed her mind after seeing the sign. She said, “The sign is discriminating toward any children who need a booster seat and younger no matter what… I also feel it’s the wording, it’s not nice at all. Maybe ‘adults only’ would be more understandable.”

Shake told KTVU that the restaurant was careful with their wording on the sign, which was approved by an attorney and legally does not discriminate against anyone.