Katie Leach had been looking forward to a delightful family dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the popular eatery seemed like the perfect place to enjoy a meal. However, what was supposed to be a pleasant evening took an unexpected turn when fellow diners approached Leach’s table and slammed down a note complaining about her 10-month-old son’s loudness.
Understandably, Leach was taken aback by this sudden display of disapproval. Her son had been crying, yelling, and making a lot of noise, causing some inconvenience to other diners. However, as a mother, Leach understood that her son’s behavior was simply a part of his developmental stage. At ten months old, he was learning to vocalize and communicate, just like any other child his age.
Living in Nampa, Idaho, Leach had always felt a sense of warmth and acceptance in her community. However, this incident at Texas Roadhouse challenged that perception. In response, she decided to share her experience on Facebook, and her post quickly went viral, resonating with thousands of people.
In her post, she explained that her son would yell when excited, happy, or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. Leach was doing her best to teach him appropriate behavior, including using his indoor voice and not yelling back when told “no.” However, she emphasized that he was still very young and in the process of learning.
On the day of the incident, the family was enjoying their meal at the Nampa Texas Roadhouse when baby Drew started his usual bouts of yelling. Given the lively atmosphere of the restaurant, Leach had assumed that her son’s noise wouldn’t bother anyone. Unfortunately, she was mistaken.
“He had been screaming off and on just as everyone was singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ And whenever a waitress approached, he would scream to greet them,” Leach recounted. “We tried to calm him down, and most of the time, he complied. But he was simply excited and happy to be amidst all the commotion. His yelling wasn’t meant to be rude or because he was upset; it was purely out of joy.”
To their surprise, halfway through their meal, two older diners in their late 50s or early 60s slammed down a handwritten note on their table, blaming them for ruining their dinner with Drew’s screaming. Leach, determined to address the situation, approached the woman who had left the note and explained that her son was still learning and didn’t fully understand his actions. However, the upset woman firmly stated that her own grandchildren never misbehaved like Drew.
Leach felt that the diners’ behavior was rude and believed they could have handled the situation more tactfully. The restaurant manager also agreed with her and comped their meal, extending an invitation for the family to return to Texas Roadhouse at any time.
Travis Doster, a spokesman for Texas Roadhouse, expressed the company’s stance on the incident, emphasizing their commitment to hospitality. He acknowledged that Texas Roadhouse is a lively restaurant and takes pride in its vibrant atmosphere. He added, “If you prefer the clinking of wine glasses and forks, our restaurant might not be the perfect fit for you.”
In the end, this unfortunate incident served as a reminder that understanding and empathy go a long way, especially when it comes to little ones who are still discovering their voices.
