A Georgia restaurant charges a $50 fee for ‘adults unable to parent’ unruly children
A Georgia restaurant is going viral for its “unable to parent” surcharge.
Screenshots of the bottom of the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant’s menu listing the added charge was posted to Reddit.
“Adult surcharge: For adults unable to parent $$$” The menu reads.
The menu does not list a specific amount, but according to several Google reviews, some said they were told they would have a $50 surcharge added to their bill.
“If you have children, absolutely avoid this place at all costs. Holy moly – the most disrespectful owner made a huge scene in front of the entire restaurant because our children were “running through the restaurant” – they were down by the river.. we were told we need to “go to Burger King and Walmart” and that we were bad parents,” one review said.
“They have a $50 surcharge for “bad children”. We were a group of 21 and our server was AMAZING and was overly apologetic. Terrible business practice, we will never be back.”
Another patron, Bryan Caracciolo told Atlanta News First that his experience at the restaurant was a “nightmare.”
Dining dilemma over children
Caracciolo said a large group of five families including 11 kids were on vacation when they stopped into the restaurant in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
“He basically said he has raised his children and he’s not going to raise ours,” Caracciolo told Atlanta News First.
Caracciolo said the group was finishing up their meal when someone approached them and said they should pay the surcharge. Caracciolo, the owner of a Florida restaurant, said he thought it was a joke.
Another Google review said a manager took issue with them rocking their four month old baby.
“Don’t go if you have children. We were 3 adults, 2 children and our 4mo baby and since we entered to the place they gave us a bad look. Later my wife was rocking the baby (not crying, just to make him sleep) and this ‘manager’ told her that you don’t do that in a fancy restaurant (of course this is not a fancy restaurant) and later moved our stroller in a bad way,” the review read.
Owner claims policy rarely enforced
The restaurant did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment but the owner told Atlanta News First that the charge was implemented during the pandemic but was rarely ever used. He added that a group had to be particularly bad to even have the charge brought up in conversation.
He told the outlet Caracciolo and his group were not charged.
Caracciolo said none of the kids were misbehaved.
“I don’t suggest a family go there,” he said.
Source: USA Today
