A Bay Area restaurateur has gone viral for charging parents as much as $327 for failing to control their rowdy children at his Chinese eatery Chez Xue — after witnessing “insane” behaviors like kids running laps around his restaurant and parents changing smelly diapers at booths.
You You Xue, who operates two restaurants south of San Francisco, says he’s slapped financial penalties on parents of spirited tots who smashed credit card readers, carved “designs” into tables using utensils and broke teacups at his Foster City restaurant.
“My staff, my servers were being forced to parent children on behalf of other parents. That’s not their job,” Xue told The Post.
A Bay Area restaurateur has gone viral for charging parents as much as $327 for failing to control their rowdy children at his Chinese eatery Chez Xue Chris Behroozia for CA Post
You You Xue, who operates two restaurants south of San Francisco, says he’s slapped financial penalties on parents of spirited tots Chris Behroozia for CA Post
“Parenting has become so relaxed, and I know if I acted some ways these children are acting, I would have gotten my a— beat,” he added.
The casual restaurant’s menu, activated through a QR code, includes an advisory that asks parents to “Please control your children.”
“Chez Xu is a family-friendly restaurant. However, we are not a playground,” the message reads.
“Parenting has become so relaxed, and I know if I acted some ways these children are acting, I would have gotten my a— beat,” he added. Chris Behroozia for CA Post
The casual restaurant’s menu, activated through a QR code, includes an advisory that asks parents to “Please control your children.” X/@raymmar
One family was charged $327.03 after their child dropped a credit card reader, damaging the screen, while another parent was fined $109.38 after their youngster carved a table with a utensil. Another unlucky parent was charged $5.37 for a shattered teacup, according to the advisory.
Parents aren’t charged if children break things entirely by accident — but Xue felt the policy was necessary after witnessing “deteriorating” behavior from customers in recent years.
“We don’t blame the kids — I’m very proud to the fact that this is an unpretentious restaurant where people can come with their whole families,” he said.
“It’s to remind this very small group of parents who are not doing their jobs — please do your job so we can do ours.”
Foster City eatery Chez Xue is known for its cilantro beef. Instagram/@youyouxue
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After the strict policy went viral, Xue was applauded by many commenters on X.
“’Gentle parents’ are raising mini terrorists change my mind,” wrote venture capitalist Camilo Acosta, referring to the trendy “gentle parenting” philosophy.
Chez Xue went viral for its policy on unruly children. Instagram/@chezxue
Xue shared on X that bad behavior at his Bay Area restaurants has dropped “precipitously” since he posted the notice. Instagram/@youyouxue
“They should give discounts to parents who publicly discipline their kids when they act up or for kids who behave wonderfully,” added another user named Zach Stevens.
Others questioned whether it was too petty to charge $5.37 for a broken teacup.
Xue’s Chez Xue is known for its spicy Cilantro Beef, Godfather’s Noodles and Green Onion Pancakes, according to Yelp.
Chez Xue’s sister restaurant, wonderful in Millbrae, was recognized in the 2021 Michelin guide.
Xue shared on X that bad behavior has dropped “precipitously” since he posted the notice.
The 10-year restaurateur said he’s happy the viral story “sparked dialogue” about what restaurants deal with.
“I can see we’ve definitely struck a chord,” Xue said.
“The policy of respecting the restaurant and other guests, and not treating it like a playground … is just common sense.”
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