SF Restaurant owner-chef strikes back

[huiray]

http://sf.eater.com/archives/2014/09/19/frustrated_so_owner_skewers_picky_msghating_customers_via_window_sign.php

 

http://eater.com/archives/2014/09/19/restaurants-epically-passiveaggressive-sign-blames-customers-for-closure.php

 

I'd make an effort to eat there the next time I'm in SF!

[Shalmanese]

Oh man, SO is great. Their chicken wings are as good as everyone says.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Shalmanese (log)

[huiray]

The comments on the SF Eater article clearly shows the two camps involved - in the old story of organic/no-MSG vs the doesn't-matter camps.

[Katie Meadow]

A lot of culture and tradition and habit goes into food like the food at SO. Some restaurants make an effort to accommodate  customers with special needs, others don't. Not everyone deals with change the same way, and most likely that's a case by case situation. 

 

It so happens that I don't eat a lot of wheat. I'm not allergic or celiac, but it just doesn't do my body good. I also don't eat much cheese any more to keep my cholesterol down (which it does) and I also have to limit my consumption of tomato products. Guess where I don't typically go out to eat: ramen joints and Italian joints and places that serve nothing but pig fat and mayonnaise. I also find that I get buzzy and dizzy after eating Chinese food that has lots of MSG. So I have learned which places not to patronize if I consistently have that type of reaction to the food.

 

There are plenty of restaurants that most of those on limited diets can eat in without holding it against the owners who are not able or interested in the challenge that challenged diners present. And owners exasperated by fussy customers have every right to say in the most polite way possible, "I'm so sorry, our kitchen just isn't able to do that for you." If that means the customer won't be back, so be it. So chill out, angry patrons and owners. There are way more important things to be angry about. And think how lucky we are in the Bay Area, where just about any kind of food you can imagine can be had without much difficulty. 

[Martin Fisher]

Good for them...bad for "patrons" who feel entitled. 

Some of the comments are quite comical. 

[weinoo]

Yay, restaurant owners.

Edited September 20, 2014 by weinoo (log)

[Porthos]

A simple "We are unable to provide dishes without MSG" at the bottom of the menu would deal with that. Then the potential patrons can decide whether to stay and order or chose not to eat there.

[rotuts]

I like this

 

but not on the bottom of the menu. a sign that can't be missed as you enter, and etc etc

[gfweb]

I  like the show of attitude. He doesn't want any bullshit.    Kind of like a gentle Kenny Shopsin.

[huiray]

ABC News clip.

[lindag]

I'd go there in a flash if I could!

[c oliver]

I  like the show of attitude. He doesn't want any bullshit.    Kind of like a gentle Kenny Shopsin.

LOVE Shopsin!!!

 

I wonder if people do that at, say, The French Laundry.

Edited November 28, 2014 by c oliver (log)

[sculptor]

Celiac Disease is a big deal but the typical restaurant shouldn't have to be expected to cope with it or allergies so severe that the food in question can't even have ever been in the same kitchen were the patorns food was prepared... Now, that said, there are reasonable accomidations that restaurants should make. Note, most vast majority of those with gluten or MSG "issues" have simply simply bought into a silly fad so not accomidating them might make some sense however there are people with legimate gluten issues or wheat allergies...

Edited December 7, 2014 by sculptor (log)