Restaurant Under Fire for Charging 'Unable to Parent' Fee for Unruly Children

Keeping your kids under control in public can be a challenge. One restaurant in Georgia is under fire for punishing diners who can't corral their children with an extra fee added to their bill.

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in the town of Blue Ridge offers standard American fare in a picturesque riverside location surrounded by trees. At the bottom of the menu, the establishment outlines the gratuity and fee schedule, which contains an "adult surcharge" designed "for adults unable to parent."

Some dissatisfied customers called out the seemingly ridiculous charge in disappointed Google reviews. "If you have children, absolutely avoid this place at all costs," one person wrote. "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. They have a $50 surcharge for 'bad children,'" the person added, noting that their server was great and apologetic for the boss's behavior.

Another diner had a similar experience. "The owner came out and told me he was adding $50 to my bill because of my children's behavior," the customer recounted. "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."

Restaurants have started charging fees for everything, from simple service charges to "vomit fees" if you get sick. Now we can add a fee for unruly children to the list.