General Discussion

merrily

(45,251 posts)

243. He's getting some support but also losing some customers.

Tue Sep 23, 2014, 03:57 PM

Sep 2014

And for what? A tantrum?

I don't make special requests at restaurants and I always ask about heat in food before I order, but I would read that sign and never return. I have no patience for people who want to be in business but don't appreciate their customers.

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San Francisco restaurant closes and leaves angry note: "we don't give a f*** about gluten-free" [View all] Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 OP

It took the UK to post this thing? I'm unsure how outraged to be, walked down Grant St. Friday.... NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #1

Grant Street? I love that Wok Shop store on Grant Street! R B Garr Sep 2014 #13

Park at any lot along Mission from 2nd to 6th, lots of construction lately. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #14

One of the best parts of SF is that you don't need a car! Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #33

A car is a curse. I lived in NYC for 10+ years, only bought a car when I left. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #42

San Francisco is tiny Retrograde Sep 2014 #91

That is why I went at 23 tabbycat31 Sep 2014 #275

Thanks for the tip, NYC_SKP! That's good to know. R B Garr Sep 2014 #84

So Chinese Restaurant is in South of Market. I used to work near it and it was pretty good. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #16

Are you kidding? peabody Sep 2014 #50

That would be Sam Woo in LA. Not affiliated with Sam Wo in San Francisco. Oops. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #93

Oh sorry! peabody Sep 2014 #95

And I agree. Sam Woo is tasty. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #99

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #108

Lol, I also heard they got surly because they're open so late and R B Garr Sep 2014 #238

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #264

Well! You are...... R B Garr Sep 2014 #273

Thanks, I'm going to look this up. We love restaurant tips from locals. R B Garr Sep 2014 #87

Oh, totally! It was an experience! And I can understand missing that. PM me the neighborhood Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #92

Great! I'll do that. We'll be coming back from a trip to Chicago, R B Garr Sep 2014 #232

I love the food peabody Sep 2014 #94

Did he resemble this guy? delete_bush Sep 2014 #185

I didn't see this post 'til now, thanks! I'm going to try that Sam Woo's in L.A. R B Garr Sep 2014 #278

Cheap, greasy Chinese food is one of my ultimate culinary guilty pleasures. nomorenomore08 Sep 2014 #132

Is Hunan House Still There? Dirty Socialist Sep 2014 #32

It's still there and there are a couple of other Hunan House's in the city, too. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #35

Googled and bookmarked it! Thanks. n/t R B Garr Sep 2014 #88

I love to cruise Chinatown in San Francisco.. but if you should get bored there.. yuiyoshida Sep 2014 #131

This was all over the SF press days ago. HuckleB Sep 2014 #212

It is his restaurant, he can run it however he wants to. kwassa Sep 2014 #2

uhoh GummyBearz Sep 2014 #11

Nope. Informed consumers, where we expect to be told what's in a dish. Libertarians don't wanna. freshwest Sep 2014 #59

well no he can't. He has to at least comply with state and local regulations. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #40

Is it state and local regulation that you MUST serve gluten free, non-MSG, organic meals? mainer Sep 2014 #163

California and SF have very strict food regulations. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #189

Well..."Fuck off" is iffy, but... Chan790 Sep 2014 #254

Oh course, even if it is right into the ground. ohnoyoudidnt Sep 2014 #186

Finally someone has the guts to face down the food freaks. former9thward Sep 2014 #3

Um, in San Francisco "the food freaks" are also known as "your customers". Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #4

Apparently he has weighed the risks of closing down and made his choice. nt Nuclear Unicorn Sep 2014 #6

He closed for one day. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #12

Yet sent a pretty clear message Egnever Sep 2014 #20

Meh. Opened the next day. Same people eating there. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #26

Oh you know all his customers? Egnever Sep 2014 #27

Yes. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #30

What is the message? MattBaggins Sep 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author Egnever Sep 2014 #20

Do they think they're the only Chinese restaurant in SF? tblue Sep 2014 #123

You nailed it. Good restaurants care about serving good food and make an effort pnwmom Sep 2014 #125

Good chinese food just isn't gluten-free... Chan790 Sep 2014 #257

That's ridiculous. There is no cuisine that is completely gluten-free, but Chinese food pnwmom Sep 2014 #267

um, er, that was my point. Obviously I wasn't clear. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #136

Right now I'm thinking it would be Nuclear Unicorn Sep 2014 #5

This food freak gets intestinal bleeding when she eats gluten. pnwmom Sep 2014 #45

Well then would you go to his shop Egnever Sep 2014 #66

I'm glad he's open about it at least, but what really bothers me are the intolerant pnwmom Sep 2014 #67

And wheat free soy sauce tastes like crap MattBaggins Sep 2014 #77

You have got to be kidding. All traditional soy sauce is wheat free. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #97

I don't think that is true MattBaggins Sep 2014 #101

You think wrong. Traditional Chinese soy sauce is 100% soy. pnwmom Sep 2014 #115

I am going to go ahead and disagree with you MattBaggins Sep 2014 #169

I just gave you a link that shows traditional Chinese soy is 100% soy. pnwmom Sep 2014 #192

Traditional Japanese soy sauces contain wheat, but Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #139

Tamari vs. Shoyu. Real tamari, not American labeled "tamari", is 100% soy. Shoyu or soy sauce KittyWampus Sep 2014 #140

The Japanese soy sauce I linked to is called "shoyu" Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #148

Traditional Chinese soy is 100% soy. Wheat was a modern addition. pnwmom Sep 2014 #194

No, it tastes like soy sauce. Wheat isn't a necessary ingredient. Soy is. n/t pnwmom Sep 2014 #114

No that roasted wheat is an integral flavor component MattBaggins Sep 2014 #171

Restaurants use... DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #85

Shouldn't I expect every restaurant to follow the laws that apply to them, pnwmom Sep 2014 #116

Most don't unless DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #120

Not true. Most good restaurants will accommodate even though they don't have a gluten free menu. pnwmom Sep 2014 #121

Then do your research... DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #80

I have fish sauce in my fridge ...... kwassa Sep 2014 #158

Why? I already know that 100% soy sauce is the traditional Chinese sauce. pnwmom Sep 2014 #195

But... DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #209

In my experience in Seattle, they usually already have it. But if they don't, they're happy pnwmom Sep 2014 #210

So, you have celiac disease? HuckleB Sep 2014 #214

No, I'm not mad at them at all. The more people ask for gluten-free foods, pnwmom Sep 2014 #223

So, you want to ignore the fact that many more people than those who have celiac disease... HuckleB Sep 2014 #244

Why are Celiac people the only people with a right to be concerned about gluten in food? pnwmom Sep 2014 #247

So supposition is your next response? HuckleB Sep 2014 #252

According to you, people with Celiac and other gluten sensitivity should never be able pnwmom Sep 2014 #269

Me too. Same deal here. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #279

Thanks customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #133

Food freaks? upaloopa Sep 2014 #180

People who want to foist their food views on everyone else are food freaks. former9thward Sep 2014 #193

Where is this "elsewhere" that they can eat? Chinese restaurants have no more trouble pnwmom Sep 2014 #197

Restaurants do not have to cater to every taste. former9thward Sep 2014 #199

Restaurants are bound by the ADA to make reasonable accommodations. pnwmom Sep 2014 #202

You have posted this before and it is untrue. former9thward Sep 2014 #205

I posted the link from the government's own website about the requirements of the ADA pnwmom Sep 2014 #206

I did read it. former9thward Sep 2014 #225

You can ask a restaurant what is in the food and that is not upaloopa Sep 2014 #198

The restaurant in the OP is not stopping anyone from asking what is in the food. former9thward Sep 2014 #200

Fine and they do not care to serve people like me upaloopa Sep 2014 #203

The owner of that restaurant was mad that night because someone said his food was too spicy pnwmom Sep 2014 #208

Right. And I often ask what they have that's good for people with Celiac. pnwmom Sep 2014 #207

This message was self-deleted by its author merrily Sep 2014 #218

I doubt he will do fine with that attitude toward customers. merrily Sep 2014 #220

The customer is not always right. former9thward Sep 2014 #226

Irrelevant. The customer always pays his mortgage. merrily Sep 2014 #230

A group of people refused to pay because the food was too spicy at a place that is known Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #231

Yes, I know. Still, an fu to all customers is not a smart business move. merrily Sep 2014 #234

This city is experiencing an influx of twitterjerks who treat staff Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #241

He's getting some support but also losing some customers. merrily Sep 2014 #243

He could give Basil Fawlty some lessons in customer diplomacy. n/t Crunchy Frog Sep 2014 #7

+1 ! lunasun Sep 2014 #79

I can't say I blame the guy. Aristus Sep 2014 #8

then he's in the wrong line of work. unblock Sep 2014 #34

Or the customer could go to a restaurant that serves food more closely in line with their dietary Aristus Sep 2014 #38

i have plenty of food issues (migraine triggers) but i've eaten at many restaurants no problem. unblock Sep 2014 #48

A Chinese restaurant is typically one of the better options for a person with gluten sensitivity. pnwmom Sep 2014 #129

Oh God. Here we go again. I'm not a "trained diagnostician." Just a trained diagnostician. Aristus Sep 2014 #149

Uh, no. A restaurant chef is not one's personal chef. Read the menu; like it or leave. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #44

then the menu should say no substitutions or modifications or something, and the chef unblock Sep 2014 #53

It's a small family owned restaurant that does a robust lunch business. There are plenty Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #63

no one's disputing their right to run their business poorly. unblock Sep 2014 #72

It is a popular restaurant and I've little doubt it will continue to be popular. Funny thing... Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #81

Your comment makes sense get the red out Sep 2014 #250

I have to disagree.... sendero Sep 2014 #130

doesn't sound like the complaint is about one-offs unblock Sep 2014 #135

It isn't actually such a small number. And don't those people matter, too? They do under the ADA. pnwmom Sep 2014 #47

Then don't go to the restaurant. former9thward Sep 2014 #103

The ADA does cover restaurants, according to the government's ADA website. pnwmom Sep 2014 #110

Try again. former9thward Sep 2014 #147

That would assume its prepared from scratch Travis_0004 Sep 2014 #259

I have fibromyalgia and it is not a fad disorder. It is diagnosable and It is no fun. yellowdogintexas Sep 2014 #69

I didn't say it wasn't diagnosable. I'm a trained diagnostician. Aristus Sep 2014 #90

i am deathly allergic to fish, so i order crab noiretextatique Sep 2014 #181

Nobody wants it. I certainly don't want bleeding and cramps every time I eat gluten, pnwmom Sep 2014 #127

PLUS ONE, a huge bunch! Enthusiast Sep 2014 #282

Sounds like he's really tired of his customers. merrily Sep 2014 #222

Try: Gluten-free 5w-30 All-weather Detergent Motor Oil! Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #9

Oooo, Vani Hari, the "Food Babe" will show up and smack him. GoneOffShore Sep 2014 #10

Correct... Oktober Sep 2014 #15

I'm sure his Yelp will be trashed.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2014 #17

Nope. The majority of the reviews have been very positive since the local reporting a few days ago. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #23

The Yelp comments are amusing, many supportive of the chef. mainer Sep 2014 #161

I will definitely try them out next time I'm in Frisco. Throd Sep 2014 #18

Wrong state. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #19

Thank you. CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #24

De nada. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #29

If I wanted good Chinese in SF I'd go to CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #22

The best Chinese food served in San Francisco is in the Richmond District. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #25

Right on! peabody Sep 2014 #57

Dim Sum to die for and some of the best spicy Chinese food to make your hair stand on end. Luminous Animal Sep 2014 #65

Is Henry's Hunan hifiguy Sep 2014 #188

Seems there are more people asking for gluten-free than there are people who are allergic to it. RandySF Sep 2014 #28

How would you know? And what difference does it make? I'm glad more people are asking for it pnwmom Sep 2014 #51

Gluten aggravates my Morgellon's Disease jberryhill Sep 2014 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #109

Gluten gives me the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including bleeding and cramps. pnwmom Sep 2014 #119

My wife is allergic to tomato sauce and citrus jberryhill Sep 2014 #134

Its part of the "paleo" fad diet. Which is pretty much the old Atkins diet, with more pseudoscience Erose999 Sep 2014 #174

And Atkins is little more than an age old low carb diet, once known merrily Sep 2014 #246

My five year old sons are gluten free because one of them has autism Crunchy Frog Sep 2014 #277

Anyone who has a gluten allergy and/or Jenoch Sep 2014 #31

+1 840high Sep 2014 #37

The Chinese restaurant near us never uses MSG, and it's no problem for me pnwmom Sep 2014 #52

You have found a solution to solve your situation. Jenoch Sep 2014 #60

Ever hear of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? It covers restaurants, too. pnwmom Sep 2014 #68

I am not sure the ADA requires restaueqnts Jenoch Sep 2014 #75

The link you are asking for is what I just gave you -- the government's own website pnwmom Sep 2014 #112

The ADA does NOT require "fundamental alterations" Rocket_Scientist65 Sep 2014 #150

I never said it did. But in the Seattle area anyway, most Chinese restaurants can easily omit MSG pnwmom Sep 2014 #165

The accommodations for real Celiac Sprue and not the fad disease everyone claims to have MattBaggins Sep 2014 #82

I guess I am one of those fad people because I only have gluten-sensitive Crohn's disease, pnwmom Sep 2014 #113

Why would you you attempt to eat food from an Asian restrauant? Jenoch Sep 2014 #117

For the exact same reason you would. It tastes good. pnwmom Sep 2014 #118

"When it is easy to do so" Retrograde Sep 2014 #98

It is no hardship not to put MSG in food or to substitute a wheat-free brand of soy sauce. n/t pnwmom Sep 2014 #124

I dont think the chef is sprinkling msg on the dish as it leaves the kitchen Travis_0004 Sep 2014 #262

They use base sauces. Either bought in or made in-house. Then they add flavorings to make each of th Erose999 Sep 2014 #265

Many Chinese restaurants can either put it in or leave it out. pnwmom Sep 2014 #266

"PF Chang" is Mandarin for "Olive Garden" jberryhill Sep 2014 #106

ROFL gollygee Sep 2014 #142

here hear MattBaggins Sep 2014 #175

and, if you have food allergies, you should be cooking your own food SoCalDem Sep 2014 #54

"Gluten allergy?" You mean celiac disease, right? HuckleB Sep 2014 #215

Itallian food has a lot more MSG than chinese food Quixote1818 Sep 2014 #36

And? Scootaloo Sep 2014 #39

Why would you want to smack someone when you see a gluten-free label? pnwmom Sep 2014 #74

Because fruit doesn't have gluten, it is a dumb label. Rather like cholesterol free hard candy. uppityperson Sep 2014 #100

Better overdone than not done at all -- which is more common, pnwmom Sep 2014 #111

Should bottled water be labeled Gluten and Cholesterol Free? uppityperson Sep 2014 #155

Why not? They are already labeled 0% protein and 0% fat -- right on the standard label. pnwmom Sep 2014 #162

Do you think it fair to require things obviously not there to be listed. Like that h2o bottle? uppityperson Sep 2014 #167

Of course it's fair to have a standard label, even though some of the answers may be ZERO. pnwmom Sep 2014 #201

When you stoop to insulting replies, I am done with you. eom uppityperson Sep 2014 #228

I would have expected a nurse to be more understanding. Sorry if you view that as an insult. n/t pnwmom Sep 2014 #233

Expect a nurse to have knowledge and common sense, not to blindly go along with silliness. uppityperson Sep 2014 #236

Because I've never known a nurse to take that dismissive attitude about gluten sensitivity. pnwmom Sep 2014 #245

The "dismissive attitude" is towards labeling plain water as gluten and cholesterol free. uppityperson Sep 2014 #248

I'm asking for gluten to be labeled IF IT IS IN THE PRODUCT. pnwmom Sep 2014 #251

Yet you said you want it on bottled water labels,even though it is not in there. uppityperson Sep 2014 #256

I want it listed on the standard label. Even bottled water comes with standard labels, pnwmom Sep 2014 #268

Maybe the commercials for Green Giant etal. whistler162 Sep 2014 #280

But juice drinks sometimes have gluten added as a thickening and flavor agent. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #284

I wouldn't be at all surprised to find gluten in some juices. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #283

Good for them. bigwillq Sep 2014 #41

Restaurants are covered by the ADA law. pnwmom Sep 2014 #73

I have to really question your understanding of Celiacs if you think MattBaggins Sep 2014 #83

This isn't just about people with Celiac disease. But most of them can still be accommodated pnwmom Sep 2014 #122

Wonton wrappers, potstickers, steamed buns, egg roll wrappers all contain wheat REP Sep 2014 #177

Same with peanut allergies. And Chinese cooking uses peanut oil, which gets into everything. mainer Sep 2014 #179

So? I can eat most stir fry dishes, and it's not too hard for them to use a clean wok. pnwmom Sep 2014 #191

Ever work in a Chinese restaurant? I have, in the kitchen REP Sep 2014 #271

You worked in a filthy restaurant that was ignoring safety codes. pnwmom Sep 2014 #272

How does one "not believe in" organic food? WinkyDink Sep 2014 #43

They probbaly mean they don't believe in getting clucked at Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #46

That was probably just an "and another thing" he added SoCalDem Sep 2014 #58

At a guess, I'd say it's a matter of whether you believe so-called "organic" food... Silent3 Sep 2014 #64

Imported foods and cost DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #102

Its a Chinese fucking restaurant! Don't go there if your food allergies are a problem!! riderinthestorm Sep 2014 #49

So? MSG isn't a key part of traditional Chinese food. My mother learned to cook it from pnwmom Sep 2014 #55

Would all these nasty posts against people with food sensitivities/allergies be tolerated pnwmom Sep 2014 #56

Of course they wouldn't be... a la izquierda Sep 2014 #126

Good luck on the challenge. I hope you get it figured out soon. pnwmom Sep 2014 #128

I cook when I visit my parents. a la izquierda Sep 2014 #285

I'm sorry for all the rudeness and insensitivity. tblue Sep 2014 #213

Thank you, tblue. pnwmom Sep 2014 #221

Thanks so much. a la izquierda Sep 2014 #286

+1 The arrogance of the fortunate. They sound like Republicans tblue Sep 2014 #211

The key word in your post is " traditional". riderinthestorm Sep 2014 #70

I was responding to YOUR post about traditional Chinese restaurants. Should all Chinese restaurants pnwmom Sep 2014 #71

you've posted it a gazillion times, do you understand it? Scout Sep 2014 #224

No skinny, organic, gluten free General Tso's Chicken? Barack_America Sep 2014 #61

I'm picky, but I suffer in silence ecstatic Sep 2014 #62

yes, but do they speak Cat fluently? (SFW, but barely) MisterP Sep 2014 #78

Um... DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #86

it's based on an--interesting--cafe that appeared on Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" MisterP Sep 2014 #96

Oh Jesus, I don't know if I can handle that trainwreck awesomeness. nt DRoseDARs Sep 2014 #105

Thanks for enlightening me to a subcultural reference I had no idea existed. KittyWampus Sep 2014 #143

LOL ... Tuesday Afternoon Sep 2014 #196

I don't understand the problem. Xyzse Sep 2014 #89

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #107

'Cause gluten-free soy sauce is so fucking hard to find... SidDithers Sep 2014 #137

The Daily Fail... tenderfoot Sep 2014 #138

meh, he's out of business. Javaman Sep 2014 #141

i have problems with lactose-so i do not go to ice cream stands--i do not demand that dembotoz Sep 2014 #144

I like MSG and organic food and extra gluten. Renew Deal Sep 2014 #145

Me too! get the red out Sep 2014 #183

Not asking questions is the most important part. Renew Deal Sep 2014 #229

I read this thread and wanted more 10 minutes later. (nt) Inkfreak Sep 2014 #146

Diversity foe struggling to cope with diversity-friendly neighborhood. Orsino Sep 2014 #151

So now one is forced to honor diversity by catering to vegans who REFUSE diversity? mainer Sep 2014 #166

Yeah, that's exactly what happened here. Orsino Sep 2014 #172

When I go to a vegan's house, I have to eat vegan. When he comes to my house, I have to cook vegan. mainer Sep 2014 #178

When a vegan comes to my restaurant... Orsino Sep 2014 #182

Drop your vegan acquaintances or find an activity other than eating. merrily Sep 2014 #235

Find me a different set of relatives and then I could. mainer Sep 2014 #239

Again, try doing something other than a conventional meal. merrily Sep 2014 #242

LOL sorry had to do it Mr Dixon Sep 2014 #152

You can't be allergic to MSG. mainer Sep 2014 #153

I'm sensitive to MSG. Eric J in MN Sep 2014 #156

Are you sure it was the MSG causing your symptoms and not something else? It's ubiquitous mainer Sep 2014 #157

Yes. Eric J in MN Sep 2014 #160

The Mayo Clinic has a less dismissive perspective on this than you do. pnwmom Sep 2014 #276

MSG gives me heart palpitations TexasMommaWithAHat Sep 2014 #173

The nocebo effect is getting stronger in the age of the Internet. HuckleB Sep 2014 #216

Baloney. You can be allergic to it. There is a difference in merrily Sep 2014 #240

Maybe you can find the controlled double blind study that proves it. mainer Sep 2014 #258

No, but some people can be sickened by eating MSG. He vented because pnwmom Sep 2014 #274

…no wonder they couldn't succeed in San Francisco librechik Sep 2014 #154

Didn't succeed? Go Vols Sep 2014 #263

I told a neighbor that the trash behind one "organic" themed restaurant was full of SYSCO boxes KurtNYC Sep 2014 #159

He got pissed off because a customer walked out without paying mainer Sep 2014 #164

MSG is awesome. And its not just in Chinese food, its used in Indian and Mid East food a lot as well Erose999 Sep 2014 #168

"Naturally occurring." Precisely. mainer Sep 2014 #170

Mock duck. Is that Muck? MattBaggins Sep 2014 #176

My favorite Chinese restaurant in St. Paul that is nearby MineralMan Sep 2014 #184

There are people close to me who want gluten-free MSG-free everything wyldwolf Sep 2014 #187

I get annoyed by people who ask stupid questions. Like, is your bread Gluten Free? dilby Sep 2014 #190

for you... Phentex Sep 2014 #227

Yeah, that is really funny and almost how I feel when I am eating with some friends. dilby Sep 2014 #260

People who need a gluten free diet should call ahead to see merrily Sep 2014 #237

Agreed. n/t dilby Sep 2014 #261

I'm going to be in SF on Thursday, I will stop there for lunch Sen. Walter Sobchak Sep 2014 #204

+1 HuckleB Sep 2014 #217

his restaurant, good for him! Scout Sep 2014 #219

Yes, posting on your door a "fuck you" to your customers and potential merrily Sep 2014 #249

I sympathize with Mr. Chu Warpy Sep 2014 #253

Asshat. merrily Sep 2014 #255

Don't let the refrigerator door hit ya on the way out MoonRiver Sep 2014 #270

Obviously his motto isn't.... whistler162 Sep 2014 #281