WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A restaurant owner is speaking out after she said a family of seven dined at her business but left without paying the bill.<\/p>\n
Speaking with 7News on Tuesday night, Linsey Chen said the dine and dash happened at her restaurant, Uptown Buffet, in West Miami-Dade hours before.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a teenager to a baby. You know, they come here to eat, and they watch us. When we aren\u2019t paying attention, they just run away without paying,\u201d said Chen.<\/p>\n
She said that after the two adults and five children enjoyed their meal, they didn\u2019t bother paying the nearly $100 bill.<\/p>\n
They stood up, but before heading out, Chen said the children were caught on surveillance video, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey took some of the sunglasses, and we also have some tip money that people leave in the front, and the kids grabbed it, and I think the parents saw it as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Video shows two children hopping onto a bench and taking an item from a box.<\/p>\n
Restaurants across South Florida are struggling to stay afloat, especially during crises from the pandemic to people tightening their budgets.<\/p>\n
Chen said lots of her customers have been with them over the last 18 years and are part of the family. However, what happened late Tuesday afternoon disappointed her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe trust people. All our customers are very nice. They finish eating, and sometimes they ask us for the bill. They don\u2019t just run away without paying,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Chen has since filed a report with the Miami-Dade Sheriff\u2019s Office and hopes the surveillance video is sufficient for someone in their group to do the right thing or to get their just desserts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should come back and pay the bill and apologize,\u201d said Chen.<\/p>\n
The restaurant owner also said she wants other South Florida eatery owners to be on the lookout for customers seeking a quick meal on the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s very difficult for a lot of people right now, but if it\u2019s a hard time and you don\u2019t have the money, stay at home. Don\u2019t come out and take advantage of other people,\u201d said Chen.<\/p>\n
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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