A restaurant in Los Angeles is facing controversy after an influencer accused it of segregating Asian customers in a particular seating area.
On September 27, Cassidy Cho visited the Great White restaurant in Melrose, California, and claimed she observed that both she and other guests who appeared to be of Asian descent were all seated in a specific, more isolated section.
Cho shared a TikTok video, now viral, showing her experience and pointing out that all the Asian customers were placed in a corner of the establishment.
‘I don’t know if it’s just me, but they put all Asians in one corner… everybody is white in the main seating area.’
She suggested that if the next group seated in that area were also Asian, it would prove her point. The camera then captured a new guest arriving, confirming her observation.
After leaving the restaurant, Cho speculated that the reason might be because the restaurant is ’embarrassed of us.’
The restaurant, originally from Australia, has firmly refuted these claims, dismissing them as unfounded rumors that have affected their business negatively.
Cassidy Cho was dining at the Great White cafe in Melrose, California, on September 27
Cho noticed that she and all other guests who appeared to be Asian were seated in one section of the restaurant
Other customers who claimed to have visited the restaurant chimed into Cho’s story, saying that they were allegedly also placed in the same area of the building.
‘My boyfriend is Korean and they put us in the corner both times we went, oh my god, maybe you’re onto something,’ one wrote.
A second added: ‘I am a person of color – I’ve been to this restaurant one time and will never go back because of that reason.’
A third said: ‘I just realized my boyfriend and I have only been sitting in that same area (I’m Indian, he’s Chinese).’
Those who had experienced this alleged treatment weren’t limited to the TikTok comment section; they also appeared in Google restaurant reviews and on Instagram.
Many also pointed out the irony of the restaurant’s name – Great White – given the context. A Great White is a shark found in Australian waters.
Several comments suggested that the name is perfect for the restaurant: ‘Great White is racist? No wayyyyyyy’ one said.
Another added: ‘Come on people. It’s called GREAT WHITE.’
However, the owners of the chain restaurant have responded to the allegations of segregation – and also slammed the insinuation made about the brand’s name.
Sam Cooper and Sam Trude told The Daily Mail: ‘Great White is named after a shark. It has nothing to do with race.
‘Any notion that we have mistreated customers or employees or seated people based on their ethnicity is absolutely outrageous and completely false. Everyone is welcome here.’
Sam Cooper and Sam Trude responded to the backlash: ‘Any notion that we have mistreated customers or employees or seated people based on their ethnicity is absolutely outrageous and completely false’ (Sam Trude pictured)
‘Everyone is welcome here, that has never changed, and it never will,’ said the owners (Sam Cooper pictured)
The Daily Mail has reached out to Great White for comment.
Great White Cafe originated in Australia, and its Instagram logo features a shark illustration.
The cafe has nearly 71,000 followers on Instagram and has locations in Venice, Larchmont, Melrose, and Brentwood.
The menu does not show prices but features a variety of foods, including but not limited to chicken kebabs, ceviche, and steak frites.
A similar instance of this occurred at the world’s most romantic restaurant on the East Coast of the US.
A TikToker named Annie accused One if by Land, Two if by Sea staff of putting Asian diners together on the second floor and treating them worse than others.
The restaurant responded to the claims in a statement. It said: ‘The reason people love coming here is the way they’re greeted, regardless of religion, nationality and what they look like.’
