This exact scenario pushed one Georgia establishment to take a bold – and controversial – stand. The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, nestled beautifully in the mountains alongside the flowing Toccoa River, has implemented what they call a surcharge for “adults unable to parent.” The policy appears discretely at the bottom of their menu, but its impact has been anything but subtle.
The Controversial Policy
While the menu doesn’t specify an exact amount, frustrated customers report being hit with approximately $50 fees. The policy has sparked heated debates and scathing online reviews from outraged parents who feel they’ve been unfairly targeted.
One disgruntled diner vented their frustration online: “The owner approached me and slapped an extra $50 onto our check because of how my children behaved. My kids quietly watched their tablet until dinner came, ate without incident, and my wife even took them outside while I handled the payment. The whole experience left us feeling terrible.”
Another family shared an even more dramatic encounter: “Parents with kids should steer clear of this establishment entirely. The owner was incredibly rude and caused a massive scene in front of everyone, claiming our children were ‘racing through the restaurant’ – when they were actually playing down by the riverbank. We were told to take our business to Burger King and Walmart instead, and were branded as terrible parents.”
Owner Defends His Decision
Restaurant owner Tim Richter hasn’t backed down from the criticism. He traces the policy’s origins to a particularly chaotic incident during the COVID-19 pandemic when a family arrived with nine children who, according to Richter, were “racing throughout the entire establishment.” While he didn’t charge that family, he issued a stern warning that led to the current policy.
“Our goal is simple – we want parents to actually parent their children,” Richter explained, standing by his decision despite the backlash.
Mixed Public Reaction
The policy has divided public opinion sharply. Laura Spillman expressed her disbelief, saying, “That’s absolutely insane. Seriously? I don’t think that’s appropriate because children are adorable and should be welcomed.” However, Anne Cox offered a different perspective, suggesting that the potential fee might actually serve a valuable purpose in encouraging parents to be more mindful of their children’s restaurant behavior.
