If you get a bit too carried away at brunch, there might be some hefty fees coming out of your wallet along with money for the bill. Some Bay Area restaurants are now instituting penalties for brunch patrons who puke anywhere on the premises.
While brunch is certainly a time to relax and unpack before the next work week, a number of diners have started drinking one too many bottomless mimosas and vomiting at the restaurant. This behavior puts a burden on members of staff to clean up after these public pukers. Now, restaurants are taking precautions with some even implementing fees because the problem has gotten so bad.
Kitchen Story, a cheery Asian-inspired restaurant in Oakland’s Rockridge district known for its millionaire’s bacon, the bathroom now sports a pointed sign that reads: “Dear all mimosa lovers, Please drink responsibly and know your limits. A $50 cleaning fees will automatically include in your tap when you throw up in our public areas. Thank you so much for understanding [sic].”
Restaurateur Steven Choi had his staff post the warning in the bathrooms nearly two years ago when his general manager noticed similar signs in bars and suggested it as a possible solution to their problem.
“This was still during the pandemic and it became a very sensitive issue for customers and staff having to clean up,” Choi said. “But this is not unique. It’s there to make the customers stop and think about other people.”
No one wants to clean up someone else’s vomit. Kitchen Story co-owner Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak said that the sign has actually helped in preventing puking patrons. He said he couldn’t remember a time when he actually had to charge a customer the cleanup fee. But, before the sign, it was a much bigger problem.
“It was really tough cleaning. People were scared with COVID. And this was happening a lot. My workers don’t want to do that. It got better. Now [customers] know they have to pay. They understand,” he said.
Source: https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-restaurants-throwing-up-brunch-18411628.php