A confrontation between an Evanston, Illinois, restaurant owner and a non-tipping customer sparked backlash against the former. After deciding not to leave a tip, a customer exited Table to Stix Ramen, only to be followed and confronted by owner Kenny Chou.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The confrontation, recorded by the customer identified only as Capital Gentleman on Instagram, soon became viral across social media. In the now-deleted post, the customer detailed that he had paid for a 20-dollar meal at Table to Stix Ramen. However, he started recording owner Kenny Chou as he began following him across the street. Reportedly, the customer did not leave a tip.
As Chou followed the customer, the latter asked him why he was following him, saying that he had paid for his food, telling him to get back.
"I paid for my food. I handed you $20. You can't charge more than what the menu says. What are you talking about?" the customer said, as per the video. As Chou appears not to let go of his intentions, the customer gets more agitated. "Bro, I am not legally required to give you a f****** tip. Get the f*** back!" the customer added.
As the customer raised his voice, Chou appeared to match his tone, yelling at the customer.
"Are f****** with me, you f****** piece of sh*t? Are you f****** yelling at me?" Chou said. "Shut your goddamn f****** mouth. I'll smack the s*** out of you, punka*** man. How are my f****** staff supposed to make f****** money, huh?"
The customer tried to de-escalate the situation as Chou began to shout. "I paid for my food, we can solve this, chill," he said. However, he insisted on asking, "Why are you following me down the street?"
Owner Apologizes
The video cuts and, ever since it was published, Kenny Chou and Table to Stix Ramen had drawn a wave of backlash that prompted protests outside the restaurant as well as Yelp review-bombing. According to the Daily Mail, the Evanston Police Department has confirmed that a harassment report was filed and an investigation will ensue.
Following the backlash, and after reviewing the video himself, Chou expressed remorse and shame while talking to CBS News.
"Bringing shame to my wife as a husband, as an owner. At the same time to my mom and dad," Chou said.
"I apologize to him and to his family, and I was just asking if he could pass this message along to his little brother," Chou added, inviting the customer to his restaurant. "My door is open for you, man. You know, come on by anytime."
As a result of the incident, Table to Stix Ramen deactivated its social media accounts and stopped taking orders online, as per the outlet.
