Chez Xue has earned a loyal following in Foster City, California, where diners praise the upscale Chinese restaurant for favorites including tender shredded cilantro beef and its glossy “godfather’s noodles” topped with minced pork.
But the Bay Area dining spot is now drawing attention for something beyond its menu: a firm policy that can make parents financially responsible when their children damage restaurant property. In one case, a family was charged $327 after a child broke a piece of restaurant equipment.
The restaurant went viral after social media users circulated a photo of its posted house rules, which make clear that Chez Xue is “not a playground.”
“Please ensure children remain seated at all times and respectful of fellow guests and the dining environment,” the notice states.
The policy continues: “Running around, shouting, making noise with utensils, etc will not be tolerated.” It also warns that parents will be held “financially liable for all damage caused by their children to restaurant property.”
Guests who fail to follow the rules may also be asked to leave the restaurant.
On the restaurant’s website, Chez Xue lists several recent incidents in which parents were charged for damage. In early 2025, the restaurant says a child dropped a credit card machine and shattered its screen, leading to a $327.03 charge for the family.
In another incident, a family was charged more than $109 after a child used a utensil to carve patterns into a table. Most recently, in January, the restaurant says it added $5.47 to a bill after a child broke a teacup.
Chinese restaurant Chez Xue is located in the Bay Area, just a short drive away from San Francisco
Chez Xue is a non-tipping restaurant, meaning a service charge of 18 percent is automatically added for dine-in customers
This summer, the policy went viral when it was reshared on social media, with X users sharing their thoughts on the restaurant’s decision.
‘If your kids are smashing credit card machines and carving things into furniture, they don’t belong in restaurants,’ one wrote. ‘End of conversation.’
‘Rule of parenting: you remove your children from public spaces when they are not acting civilized,’ another chimed in. ‘Restaurant rule for children: if they are old enough to be free of high chair, they can understand they have to remain seated and not touch things.’
Some said that charging a family for a shattered teacup was ‘a bit much,’ though, noting that restaurants should expect small expenses like broken plates and glasses.
But this policy isn’t just about $5 shattered teacups.
Restaurant owner You You Xue told People ‘the standard of behavior has kind of fallen off a cliff’ recently, defending his policy.
According to Xue, staff repeatedly noticed children running around the dining room, shouting, and, in one instance, parents changing diapers at dining tables.
‘We don’t tolerate disruptive behavior, and we are going to hold guests responsible when their children are acting up and are deliberately destroying restaurant property,’ he said.
‘It’s just really important that we are not only controlling guest behavior, but also creating a welcoming environment for other guests.’
Chez Xue is known for its Chinese dishes like scallion noodles, shredded pork with garlic and orange chicken
He added that it’s not just about the kids and their parents but more about the other customers who are enjoying a meal in the same space.
The owner said he doesn’t want their meal interrupted by ‘some loud screaming at the next table.’
According to him, disruptive incidents have dropped dramatically since the policy was introduced, and he plans to continue enforcing the rules as he expands the business.
‘That extra reminder has really helped improve the overall environment,’ he said. ‘We’ve actually never really received a complaint on the message before, so I’m happy about that.’
Chez Xue has been a longstanding Foster City restaurant just a 15 minute drive from San Francisco International Airport.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Chez Xue for a comment.
