Dining out can be a stressful experience for parents. Trying to control your kids in public isn’t always easy, and it can make for an unpleasant outing. But what if a restaurant decided to charge parents for their inability to parent? This is exactly what happened at the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Georgia.
Situated in a picturesque locale, tucked away in the mountains and perched along the Toccoa River, this well-known restaurant introduced a surcharge for “adults unable to parent.” It’s a controversial move that hasn’t been received well by most parents.
While the menu doesn’t specify the amount, several Google reviews suggest that parents are being charged around $50 for this surcharge. Understandably, many parents are unhappy with this decision.
One diner recounts their experience: “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.”
Another reviewer shares their disappointment: “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.”
However, the restaurant’s owner, Tim Richter, has responded to these claims. He explains that the surcharge was actually introduced a few years ago during the COVID-19 outbreak. The decision was prompted by an incident where a family with nine children visited the restaurant. Allegedly, the children were “running all over the restaurant.” Instead of charging the family at that time, Richter gave them a warning.
“We want parents to be parents,” says Richter, defending his decision.
The introduction of a surcharge for “adults unable to parent” has sparked mixed reactions among guests. Some, like Laura Spillman, think it’s crazy. “For real? I don’t think you should do it because kids are cute,” she says. On the other hand, guest Anne Cox believes that a potential charge may be a useful reminder for parents to take responsibility for their children’s behavior.
Dining out should be a pleasant experience for everyone involved. While it’s important for parents to control their kids’ behavior in public, finding a fair and effective way to address this issue is crucial.
