Georgia restaurant has fee for unruly kids, fining 'adults unable to parent'

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
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One Georgia restaurant is adding a fee to tables with unruly children.

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge is in the spotlight for its extra charge that fines "adults unable to parent," according to the restaurant's menu.

Owner Tim Richter told WSB-TV in Atlanta that he started this a few years ago but only started charging families a few weeks ago. Two customers were among those charged recently and gave reviews of their experiences on Google:

  • "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."

  • "The owner came out and told me he was adding $50 to my bill because of my children’s behavior. My kids watched a tablet until the food arrived, ate their food and my wife took them outside while I waited and paid the bill...Disappointed by the experience."

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An exact amount is not listed on the menu, but both of the previous reviewers said they were charged $50.

Other customers did not indicate they were given the surcharge, but expressed their resentment over the surcharge on review sites like Yelp and Trip Advisor:

  • "Our child is normally well behaved and we’ve only had 1 bad incident ever. But who can predict that and who’s to judge who needs a surcharge?"

  • "You can't just charge extra money to people because one child might be a little fussy or something like that. Just imagine when you charge someone for a child you deem 'out of control' and apparently they have autism or ADHD."

But not everyone is angry. After the restaurant was highlighted by multiple news outlets, several individuals laughed and expressed their total support for the idea on Facebook:

  • "Love this! Good for the restaurant."

  • "That’s awesome! We have been to this restaurant several times!"

  • "Good. Too many parents let their kids run wild in restaurants."

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is a secluded, cabin-like eatery offering scenic views and American cuisine from signature pastas and sandwiches to higher-end dishes like filet mignon and crab-stuffed shrimp.

The restaurant could not be reached for comment as of Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge charges for kid misbehavior