(Almost) all you can eat - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #1 01-03-2008, 09:57 AM

Large Louisiana men claim restaurant banned them because they ate too much from the buffet

The Associated Press
Thursday, January 3, 2008

HOUMA, Louisiana: A 265-pound (120-kilogram) man says a restaurant in Louisiana overcharged him for his trips to the buffet, then banned him and a relative because of how much they consumed during their visits.

Ricky Labit, a 6-foot-3 (190 centimeter) disabled offshore worker, said he had been a regular at the Manchuria Restaurant, eating there as often as three times a week. But on his most recent visit, he said a waitress gave him and his wife's cousin, Michael Borrelli, a bill for $46.40 (€31.60), roughly double the buffet price for two adults.

"She says, 'Y'all fat, and y'all eat too much,'" Labit said.

Labit and Borrelli said they felt discriminated against because of their size.

"I was stunned, that somebody would say something like that. I ain't that fat, I only weigh 277," Borrelli said.

Accountant Thomas Campo, who spoke for the restaurant because the owner's English is limited, said the men were charged an extra $10 (€6.81) each on Dec. 21 because they made a habit of dining exclusively on the more expensive seafood dishes, including crab legs and frog legs.

"We have a lot of big people there," Campo said. "We don't discriminate."

The argument over the bill grew heated, and police were called. The police report states that the disagreement was settled when the restaurant said the bill was a mistake and, to appease Labit, the meal was complimentary.

Labit said he insisted on paying but was told not to come back. He complained that when seafood on the buffet line runs out, the restaurant only grudgingly cooks more. Campo said the proprietress tries to reduce waste of quality food.

Hatterasguy · #2 01-03-2008, 10:00 AM

Not sure how to react to this one...

Brian Carlton · #3 01-03-2008, 10:00 AM

The restaurant was trying to help him lose weight.

Charge him more money...........and he'll eat less.

Pete Geither · #4 01-03-2008, 10:07 AM

I have seen those people gorge themselves when the price is nothing, or less than it should be. When you ever see an "All you can eat" deal advertised, go watch the antics. It will make you sick at times.

Jim B. · #5 01-03-2008, 10:14 AM

One time I went with friends to a place like that. One woman was so fat, and had a butt so big, that she had to sit down on TWO charis that were placed side by side for her.

UFB. Americans.

E150GT · #6 01-03-2008, 10:53 AM

Yeah i've seen that. One time my cousins were asked to leave a CiCi's pizza once for eating too much. They aren't fat, just very tall and very hungry after returning from a hunting trip. While people can overdo it sometimes, if you advertise all you can eat then you should honor that. there are far less people that overeat than those who just eat a normal fill. Besides most buffets charge $10.00 which is more than enough money considering that buffet food is more about quantity than quality. just my .02 cents.

G-Benz · #7 01-03-2008, 11:05 AM

I have no problem with restaurants touting the "all you can eat".

I have no issue with people who are capable of consuming large quanities of food at such establishments, regardless of size.

What I do have a problem with is the common courtesy lacking in folks who partake of food as if they are the only patrons there! You know the ones...they despise having to get up to make several trips to the buffet bar, so they pile on as much food as their plate can accomodate. In doing so, they liberally clean out an entree or several sides, leaving the rest of the people in line to wait for more to be brought out!

You can witness the carnage at any local "Golden Corral".

aklim · #8 01-03-2008, 11:18 AM

Didn't this happen once in the Simpsons? IMO, if you want to advertise "All you can eat", you best be prepared. I don't care if a 600# person walks in. After all, you don't tell the 80# supermodel watching her diet that she can't come in because she doesn't eat enough. Now if you want to exclude certain people, feel free to do so. But please state it publicly and not come tap me on the shoulder and ask me to leave.

Years ago, I heard a few cruise lines stopped serving buffets when they were going to and leaving Singapore because those clowns don't understand what a buffet is. They hog all the food by scooping large portions of food onto their plates and then eat bits and pieces. Hell, I have heard techniques of eating that would scare you. They would eat what they can eat, go barf it up so they could start again. OK, fair enough. cut off the buffet. In any case, make it a standard so we don't get shocked at the last minute. Let me know that "all you can eat" means up to X pounds of food. If you can do that, I have no issue with what you want to do.

aklim · #9 01-03-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

What I do have a problem with is the common courtesy lacking in folks who partake of food as if they are the only patrons there! You know the ones...they despise having to get up to make several trips to the buffet bar, so they pile on as much food as their plate can accomodate. In doing so, they liberally clean out an entree or several sides, leaving the rest of the people in line to wait for more to be brought out!

You can witness the carnage at any local "Golden Corral".

Actually, I'm fine with that. Why? Because I prefer the wait of a few minutes for the fresher food instead of the 10 dried out chicken wings.

G-Benz · #10 01-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Actually, I'm fine with that. Why? Because I prefer the wait of a few minutes for the fresher food instead of the 10 dried out chicken wings.

They'll take all of the freshly-made offerings too!

aklim · #11 01-03-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

They'll take all of the freshly-made offerings too!

I line up there to swoop in when I can.

SwampYankee · #12 01-03-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Didn't this happen once in the Simpsons? IMO, if you want to advertise "All you can eat", you best be prepared. I don't care if a 600# person walks in. After all, you don't tell the 80# supermodel watching her diet that she can't come in because she doesn't eat enough. Now if you want to exclude certain people, feel free to do so. But please state it publicly and not come tap me on the shoulder and ask me to leave.

Yup, to Homer at the Frying Dutchman.

Damn, like the guys in the article I'm 6'3" 270ish, depending on which side of the holidays I'm weighed on. While I've got a good beer belly going I'm hardly the 5'8" 400 pounder I was expecting to read about.

Quote:

Accountant Thomas Campo, who spoke for the restaurant because the owner's English is limited, said the men were charged an extra $10 (€6.81) each on Dec. 21 because they made a habit of dining exclusively on the more expensive seafood dishes, including crab legs and frog legs.

Sounds to me like they were smart eaters. Why fill up on fried rice, dumplings and bread?

Skid Row Joe · #13 01-03-2008, 12:15 PM

Perhaps the language-barrier keeps the proprietress from accurately pricing the buffet. She got what she wanted, getting these two individuals banished from entering the premises.

PaulC · #14 01-03-2008, 12:18 PM

I tried to dine at one of those all-you-can-eat buffets once, but they threw me out because I wasn't sporting a mullet.

Hatterasguy · #15 01-03-2008, 12:23 PM

I can't eat at a buffet anything.