Social media helps University Village, Chicago restaurant Phlavz Bar & Grille find dine and dash suspects: SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — With the summer-like weather, we are in important time for local restaurateurs to make revenue from outdoor dining.

When some would-be patrons left without paying their bill, some local business owners took to social media.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The outdoor patio is all set at Phlavz Bar & Grille in University Village.

Surveillance footage from Monday night revealed that three individuals left without settling a $200 bill for a shrimp and lobster meal, as reported by the owners.

“It’s truly disheartening, very disheartening to witness this behavior from the community we strive to serve. We give so much to our community,” expressed co-owner Andrew Bonsu.

Phil Simpson, another co-owner, shared, “The server attending to that table has children at home. She relies on that tip percentage, and she put in a lot of effort to serve them because they ordered a lot of food. We run a small business, and incidents like this frequently affect various small businesses across the city, which is why it’s essential to take action.”

So, they posted on social media.

Simpson and Bonsu say it was not long before people identified the trio online.

Simpson said he has been texting one of them, and someone actually offered to pay their bill, but he says it is a bigger issue of would-be patrons taking from the servers and this Black-owned business that struggles to keep prices affordable despite the cost of goods and services going up.

“They apologized. They sent someone to pay the bill, but I declined to accept it. At that point, we are going to pursue this the right way,” Simpson said.

Sam Toia is the president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. He says this theft known as “dine and dash” has been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic, and outdoor dining establishments see even more this time of year.

“We see this dine and dash really hurt the independent restaurants,” Toia said. “It definitely ticks up in the summer months, and in Chicago, what do we get? Maybe 60 days of great weather, maybe you can eat outside.”

The owners say they made a report to the University of Illinois-Chicago police.

“For us to put our hard-earned money into this and set this up for our community, to see things like this happening, it’s tasteless,” Bonsu said.

“It’s important at least let them know Phlavz is not going to be tolerating the dine-and-dash,” Simpson said.

ABC7 reached out to UIC police, who said a report has been filed for Theft of Labor or Services.

In the meantime, the owners hope that word on social media spreads, so that those who might be tempted to dine and dash will consider who is being hurt.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
US-Mexico tariff news: Trump signs order imposing new tariffs on a number of trading partners that go into effect in 7 days

Trump Enacts New Tariffs: US to Impose Tariffs on Mexico and Other Trade Partners in One Week

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing…
Photo of Clinton and Cristen Brink.

Tragic Final Gesture by Mom for Her Children Before She and Husband Are Brutally Murdered on Remote Hike; Suspect Andrew McGann Arrested

THE last moves of the brave mom who saved her daughters before…
Viral video shows allegedly drunk man take airport golf cart on walkway joy ride

Viral Footage Captures Allegedly Intoxicated Man Joyriding Airport Golf Cart on Walkway

A strange incident took place at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in…
Ghislaine Maxwell moved to Texas prison camp

Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Texas Prison Facility

Maxwell’s attorney confirmed the move, but declined to comment on why she…
Florida carries out record 9th execution of year on man convicted of killing his family

Florida sets new record with 9th execution of the year, executing man for family murders

Edward Zakrzewski was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. following a lethal injection…
White House Report Ignites America’s Bid to Dominate Digital Assets

White House Report Fuels America’s Push to Lead in Digital Assets

By Jason Meyers The White House has unveiled the much-anticipated “Strengthening American…
Student loan interest restarts for SAVE plan borrowers on August 1, some are 'crushed'

Interest on Student Loans Resumes for SAVE Plan Borrowers Starting August 1, Leaving Some Struggling

Andrea Murzello holds a doctorate in pharmacy and maintains a secure job…

Cops Discover Enormous $100,000 XXL Labubu Doll During Raid on Notorious Crime Gang

AN XXL Labubu doll worth more than £100,000 was uncovered by Hong…
Heavy rain pummels the East Coast and sparks isolated flash flooding

Torrential downpours hit the East Coast, causing sporadic flash floods

Heavy rainstorms swept across the East Coast on Thursday, causing flight delays…
Trump's new tariffs give some countries a break, while shares and US dollar sink

Trump’s New Tariffs Offer Relief to Certain Countries as Stock Market and US Dollar Decline

In BANGKOK, President Donald Trump of the U.S. has imposed new tariff…
Cincinnati viral beating suspect posts bond for jail release as attorney promises other side of story

Cincinnati Suspect in Viral Beating Released on Bond, Attorney Vows to Share Their Side

CINCINNATI – One of the three suspects in the brutal downtown street…
The Owl Bar, street view.

Granite County Police Pursue Suspect in Anaconda Deer Lodge: Active Shooter Wears Tie-Dyed Shirt and Bandana

A GUNMAN is on the loose after opening fire at a Montana…