Chef Who Blamed Picky Customers for Shutter Says He's Tired of Trying to 'Satisfy Patrons' - Polidicks

[IMG]http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39418860/sf-so-restaurant-new-sign-fires-back.0.0_standard_800.0.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE][I]The San Francisco restaurant owner who blamed picky diners for the closure of his restaurant is defending his actions. This includes posting yet another sign.[/I]The San Francisco chef that fired back [URL="http://www.eater.com/2014/9/19/6573661/restaurants-passive-aggressive-sign-blames-msg-hating-customers-for"]at difficult customers last week[/URL] with a very sassy sign is[B]at it again. [URL="http://abc7news.com/food/sf-restaurant-takes-stand-against-hard-to-please-customers/317998/"]According to ABC7[/URL], [B]James Chu — the owner and chef of SO Chinese restaurant — posted a new sign on the front door of his restaurants that reads, [/B][/B][B][B]"We work hard to please everyone, but know we can’t. So if you’re hard to please, [B]please turn around and go somewhere else."[/B][/B][/B] [B][B][B]Last week, Chu shut his doors early and stormed off after leaving a two-page sign in the window airing his frustrations with entitled customers: "We are closed[B] because of you (customers), So...yes[B]we use MSG, we don't believe in organic food, and we [B]don't give a shit about gluten free."[/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/B] [B][B][B][B][B][B]The reactions to his actions were mixed: Many Yelpers [URL="http://www.yelp.com/biz/so-san-francisco-4?hrid=vdypopFkYTqYgMA2kwIciQ"]left five-star reviews[/URL] on the restaurant’s business page in response to Chu’s actions. However, others [URL="http://www.yelp.com/biz/so-san-francisco-4?hrid=QWT4SHqt_0w4JXAo7-0JuQ"]left one-star ratings[/URL] with comments that included insults directed at the chef. He was called "a [B]fool," "[B]rude," and "[B]ignorant."[/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/B][/QUOTE] [url]http://www.eater.com/2014/9/22/6827071/chef-who-blamed-picky-customers-for-shutter-says-hes-tired-of-trying[/url] [QUOTE]SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The owner of the SO restaurant in San Francisco temporarily closed his business earlier this week in a battle with what he calls 'hard to please' customers. A sign was posted on the business that they use MSG, do not buy organic, and they don't care about gluten free. Owner and chef James Chu stands by the sign because he says he's tired of catering to hard to satisfy patrons. Chu gave an example of an interaction that prompted him to temporarily close: "The second guy came up to me and said, 'The rule is, if we don't like it we don't have to pay.' And as he walked out he started cursing at me and that's when I went poof," said Chu. The social media response has been huge. People on both sides are debating Chu's actions. One tweet said: 'Alienating potential customers is never a good idea. Business 101.' Some self-proclaimed picky eaters agree to some degree. "Because of my food preferences, as far as quality goes, I wouldn't choose to eat there, but it is his choice," said San Francisco resident Shawn Matson. "The fact that they are outwardly stating they use MSG wouldn't be my preference," said Portland resident Alicia Baker. But those dining at SO had a totally different take. "There are a ton of places to go to get gluten free or non-MSG. There's no reason to turn around and go after a guy trying to run a business," said Fairfax resident Frank Lange. "I think everyone knows that most Asian restaurants have MSG and are not gluten free," said San Francisco resident Gavin Chun.[/QUOTE] [url]http://abc7news.com/food/sf-restaurant-takes-stand-against-hard-to-please-customers/317998/[/url] Video in source. As a cook, I feel for him. The amount of special orders you have to put up with is a pain in the ass. Its okay if guest wants to change like a different meat for burger patties for example, but don't come in shouting when you're a vegan, and we serve mainly meat. Or that you have allergies and then complain when you got the food. This chef has balls to stand up for this shit, I'll give him that. Also, there are so many places that lie about not using MSG and seasonings. That fucking wonderful sauce? Yeah, it probably had MSG. Its probably the reason why you went 'WOW!' after eating the first bite of the dish.

I think the closest thing i have ever done to making a custom order at a restaurant is swap a topping for another one at pizza hut. honestly didn't think they would if you asked at most places.

[quote]"There are a ton of places to go to get gluten free or non-MSG. There's no reason to turn around and go after a guy trying to run a business," said Fairfax resident Frank Lange. "I think everyone knows that most Asian restaurants have MSG and are not gluten free," said San Francisco resident Gavin Chun.[/quote] They have a point.

dude just wants to cook

Wait people are surprised that a small chinese place uses MSG and can't tailor to your every whim? [quote] San Francisco[/quote] Figures... These yelp reviews are good [url]http://www.yelp.com/biz/so-san-francisco-4?hrid=vdypopFkYTqYgMA2kwIciQ[/url] If MSG is the tipping point for your health, then I wonder why you are eating at what looks like a a small step about a fast food Chinese place.

Honestly, yeah. If his complaints are about San Francisco's weird fascination with celiacal hypochondria, I can't say I blame him. Besides, SF has thousands of restaurants. If you don't want what this guy's selling, just go somewhere else. If there's no demand for his food, he'll just go out of business from lack of patronage.

These customers have a huge sense of self-entitlement imo.

Plus, MSG had gotten alot of bad rep, it is not as bad as you think, and salt isn't the best alternative either.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;46047853]people that aren't even allergic to gluten.[/QUOTE] I'd be willing to bet that half the people who refuse to eat gluten don't even know what it is. The whole craze behind eating gluten free to be healthy is stupid.

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;46047881]Plus, MSG had gotten alot of bad rep, it is not as bad as you think, and salt isn't the best alternative either.[/QUOTE] MSG is scary because it's called MSG. If it were called something like seasoning salt, people wouldn't care nearly as much. It's salt and an amino acid. All the flack comes from a craze in the 60s. Why do we still perpetuate this crap?

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;46047785] Or that you have allergies and then complain when you got the food. [/QUOTE] To be fair, complaining you have allergies to totally legitimate, not just being "hard to please". Whenever I order, I order with no tomato, because I'm allergic to them. Took a bite into a burger at a restaurant a while ago after forgetting to check for tomato, I couldn't breathe and started vomiting. Pretty fucking dumb shafting people for something they can't help. Most requests really aren't that hard.

Comic Sans strikes again

My mother is one of those gluten free people it seriously pisses me off [video=youtube;n5KpeRt-LmY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KpeRt-LmY[/video] shut the fuck up about gluten. You aren't allergic to it and half the shit you eat is worse than you think. Gluten isn't even bad at all, or good, it just binds foods together better.

[QUOTE=woolio1;46047914]MSG is scary because it's called MSG. If it were called something like seasoning salt, people wouldn't care nearly as much. It's salt and an amino acid. All the flack comes from a craze in the 60s. Why do we still perpetuate this crap?[/QUOTE] The brand I use calls itself "essence of umami". Sounds a lot less imposing.

[QUOTE=Tasm;46047917]To be fair, complaining you have allergies to totally legitimate, not just being "hard to please". Whenever I order, I order with no tomato, because I'm allergic to them. Took a bite into a burger at a restaurant a while ago after forgetting to check for tomato, I couldn't breathe and started vomiting. Pretty fucking dumb shafting people for something they can't help. Most requests really aren't that hard.[/QUOTE] The point is, cooks will be more than happy to change orders before hand, but you as a customer, should know your needs and wants. Don't come in changing halfway through or after the meal is served. We don't just serve 1 table, there could be as many as 50 on a busy night.

[QUOTE=Tasm;46047917]To be fair, complaining you have allergies to totally legitimate, not just being "hard to please". Whenever I order, I order with no tomato, because I'm allergic to them. Took a bite into a burger at a restaurant a while ago after forgetting to check for tomato, I couldn't breathe and started vomiting. Pretty fucking dumb shafting people for something they can't help. Most requests really aren't that hard.[/QUOTE] Absolutely. If you have a legitimate medical reason to ask for a substitution, then by all means do so. However, the amount of people asking for "gluten-free" or "MSG-free" at restaurants whose food [I]requires[/I] one or both of those things is insane, and most reasonable people just wouldn't eat there in the first place. When a great majority of the people who claim to have a gluten intolerance or an allergy to MSG really don't, though, this whole situation gets much more ridiculous.

[quote]"The second guy came up to me and said, 'The rule is, if we don't like it we don't have to pay.' And as he walked out he started cursing at me and that's when I went poof," said Chu.[/quote] Sorry cuntdrop, but it doesn't work that way. You use a businesses resources you fucking pay for it you little shit. But it's California, not surprising.

The chef seems cool. Must be hard to deal with picky vocal minority twats.

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;46047881]Plus, MSG had gotten alot of bad rep, it is not as bad as you think, and salt isn't the best alternative either.[/QUOTE] It does for instance generally causes headaches, stomach cramps and similar for me if it's used in larger amounts. Of course the normal reaction to that = let's avoid some ready made meals and chinese places. Not boo hoo use something else.

[QUOTE=Tasm;46047917]To be fair, complaining you have allergies to totally legitimate, not just being "hard to please". Whenever I order, I order with no tomato, because I'm allergic to them. Took a bite into a burger at a restaurant a while ago after forgetting to check for tomato, I couldn't breathe and started vomiting. Pretty fucking dumb shafting people for something they can't help. Most requests really aren't that hard.[/QUOTE] very few people have legitimate allergies to gluten. the rise of gluten free foods is almost entirely a cultural fad from people who think gluten is bad for them

[QUOTE=fulgrim;46047817]I think the closest thing i have ever done to making a custom order at a restaurant is swap a topping for another one at pizza hut. honestly didn't think they would if you asked at most places.[/QUOTE] Domino's has served me, at my request, a large pizza with a little tomato sauce, extra cheese and garlic butter. It's a 13" Cheesy Garlic bread and it is delicious.

customers have no right to deny payment for food unless there's actually a problem with the food and the staff wouldn't solve it. having gluten and or MSG in your food is not a problem -- and if it is because of an allergic reaction to either of those things, you can go to the many other restaraunts and stores that do specialise in that kind of thing you wouldn't go to a sushi bar and get mad when they serve you fish, would you?

[QUOTE=wraithcat;46047984]It does for instance generally causes headaches, stomach cramps and similar for me. Of course the normal reaction to that = let's avoid some ready made meals and chinese places. Not boo hoo use something else.[/QUOTE] Has anyone ever conducted a solid experiment with you? Double Blind. MSG added to multiple dishes.

it's easy to lay blame on having an upset stomach after eating x food on one media-hyped ingredient. but in all truth, chinese food generally has a makeup of ingredients that will do that to you anyways much like many other regional dishes the media and social reactions to MSG and gluten are very much similar. sure, it's making the food market for those with actual professionally diagnosed intolerances much better, but in the end they're still buying in to a [I]total[/I] placebo

[QUOTE=wraithcat;46047984]It does for instance generally causes headaches, stomach cramps and similar for me if it's used in larger amounts. Of course the normal reaction to that = let's avoid some ready made meals and chinese places. Not boo hoo use something else.[/QUOTE] I don't think any of the guest I had served before, could tell the difference, unless you're used to it. Hint: its like salt, but with chicken powder. Fuck it, MSG taste like chicken powder. Yeah.

MSG can be and often is beneficial to your health in how it's optimally used. because of how it works, 'enhancing' flavours in a sense, you can reduce literal salt content and still have the food be perceived as salty as it was before. things like that i think people are scared of the name. like it's some death chemical

I'm allergic to dust mites and otherwise do not care what the fuck I eat. Gluten free food also tastes like fucking paper. Hell, I bet you a sheet of paper tastes better than gluten free bread.

I'm allergic to wheat, soy, beans, dairy and egg :v: It's not lethal, but life is still hell. [editline]23rd September 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=pentium;46048141]I'm allergic to dust mites[/QUOTE] Also these lil' fuckers

if you're so picky cook for yourself, christ alternatively I'm fairly sure dirt is msg and gluten free

To be fair on the guy, customers can be stupid as fuck when it comes to restaraunts. Swapping out things if you have allergies is fair enough, no matter what the allergy is, back when I was a chef, I absoloutely would NOT fuck around with people and allergies, as it can be a matter of literal life and death. [quote]'The rule is, if we don't like it we don't have to pay.[/quote] Nope, that's theft of goods or services, you are absoloutely required to pay, even if you didn't like it, it's up to the managers to try and resolve it so that you come away happy and possibly return in the future, but you don't just get to skip paying.