Ruckus in the Restaurant

November 18, 2011

in Kitchen & Chef & Boss Stories

I went to a local chain Italian restaurant a few years ago with my sister. This was a restaurant that we frequented about once a month up until this incident. Over the years we had become “friends” with the manager in that he would come over to chat when we were there. What happened was as we were sitting and eating our lunch, the manager came over to talk to us for a bit. Then he was pulled away to the kitchen. We turned back to our lunches and were happily chatting when all of a sudden there was a great ruckus from the kitchen area. Loud voices and what sounded like a fist fight broke out. We were all bug-eyed as we silently listened to the ruckus. We clearly heard a very loud male voice yelling “F@!# you, man! F@!# you.”

A large, muscular man stormed out of the kitchen, still yelling obscenities. He was followed by the manager, who we noticed now had a telltale bruise forming on his left cheek that wasn’t there previously. It was very scary to see this big guy all upset and yelling, especially when we could see  from the bruise forming on the manager’s face that he had no problem getting physical. The manager was calmly telling the large man that he did not belong there, he had to leave, he had been fired last week and was no longer allowed on the premises, and the police had been called.

So they took the fight outside, and we proceeded to continue our lunch. A few minutes later my sister pointed out that the police were indeed here. I turned so I could see out the window and there were two police cars parked out front. We both gave each other that “oh no” look and continued our lunch. When we were just about finished and had already asked for the bill, the manager came up to us. He asked if we had heard anything that happened in the back, and we said we did. He then asked if we would be willing to give the police a statement about the incident. After a little hem-hawing on my part (I could just see this big guy turning up at my house and I’m single unlike my sister, so no husband to protect me), we agreed to each fill out a statement. The good news is we were never called upon after that to testify or anything, so thankfully the written statements were apparently enough for whatever legal pursuits the restaurant sought.

We have been back to the restaurant since then, just not as frequently. The food is still good and the manager is still there, but we have never asked what came of the police report. Having an incident such as this happen makes you a little weary of frequenting a place.

– Sagann

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

theblonde November 19, 2011 at 10:03 am

While that does sound scary, it was no one's fault but the ex-employee. It was a freak incident that you just happened to be there for, and I'm sure you'll never see again in your lifetime.
As you said, the food is still good and the manager still there, so I see no reason no to dine there as much as you ever did. Don't be WARY.

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Sagann November 21, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Shoot, I knew I should have just went with the common word (“disenchanted”) instead of thinking people would figure it out. Have a great day. =)

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Tara November 21, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Oh, trust me when I say we weren't confused by your usage of "weary". We just think you're kind of a jerk.

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jack December 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Sagann, you are a moron. Don't give up your day job.

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Cat_M December 30, 2011 at 5:13 pm

You don't have a husband to protect you? LOL Whatever. I am willing to bet if the guy had severely injured the owner you would not have testified either. Boring , boring and makes you look like a gutless fool.

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Jill February 21, 2012 at 2:43 pm

OH my god. What does a scuffle in the kitchen have to do with your side salad and slice of pizza?!! Get over yourself.

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Sarah March 2, 2013 at 1:34 am

You sound really annoying. Ugh…please GET. OVER. YOURSELF.

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Ray June 24, 2013 at 2:37 am

if everyone's point is to be so mean and rude on these posts…why are you all commenting?

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Amber May 11, 2016 at 9:39 am

Shit happens. It's not the manager's fault he was assaulted by a former employee, nor is it his fault he had to call the cops to have said disgruntled ex-employee removed from the premises. It's not right to fault the restaurant for this incident, and them asking you if you could provide the police with statements about what you witnessed is just being legally smart. Sure that would potentially ruin the visit on that day, but when you have had so much previously great experiences you shouldn't let one bad day ruin it forever.

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