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
Black and white photo of Donald Trump pointing at Vladimir Putin.

“Alleged Time Traveler Seen in Photo of Trump Pointing at Putin”

SOCIAL media sleuths say they have spotted a time traveller after Donald…
National Guard troops on DC streets for Trump's crackdown will start carrying guns

Armed National Guard Troops to Patrol DC Streets Amid Trump’s Enforcement Efforts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed National Guard troops…
Max Fried snaps out of funk to look like ace Yankees need

Max Fried Recovers Strongly, Showing the Yankees What an Ace Looks Like

This was the Max Fried of April, May and June. The ace…
Ghislaine Maxwell tells DOJ she doesn't believe Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in federal prison

Ghislaine Maxwell informs DOJ of her doubts about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged suicide in federal prison

Ghislaine Maxwell, the only person convicted in relation to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes,…
Trump delivered strategic blow to Iran regime with bold Azerbaijan-Armenia pact

Trump Strikes a Strategic Blow to the Iranian Regime with a Bold Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia

President Donald Trump’s new deal in the South Caucasus has ended a…
Lil Nas X jailed on suspicion of charging at police on LA street where he walked nearly naked

Lil Nas X Arrested After Allegedly Confronting Police in LA While Nearly Naked

Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested and briefly took a trip to…
Scorpion on clothing.

20-Year-Old Student Stung by Scorpion in Zara Changing Room, Leading to Urgent Hospital Visit

A STUDENT was rushed to hospital after being stung by a scorpion…
EXCLUSIVE: Marine Corps wife, mom blasts blue state for wrongful levy on savings: ‘Left us with pennies’

Marine Corps Wife and Mom Criticizes State for Unjust Savings Levy: ‘Left Us Nearly Penniless’

Master Sgt. Ogasian has served in the Marine Corps for over 20…
Couple holding a missing child poster.

Tragic Development: Parents Arrested in Case of Missing Baby Emmanuel Haro After Alleged Abduction

THE parents of 7-month old Emmanuel Haro have been arrested a week…
Mom shoots family dead at home before killing herself, spares toddler: AG

Mother Fatally Shoots Family, Leaves Toddler Unharmed Before Taking Her Own Life: Authorities

This story covers the subject of suicide. If you or someone you…
Photo of a large stealth flying-wing aircraft over China.

China’s Massive Stealth Drone Takes to the Skies After Being Seen at a Hidden Base in Satellite Images

A TERRIFYING Chinese stealth drone has been spotted on a major test…
Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain.

Unanswered Questions Linger Around Mother’s Final Moments as Family Reacts to Husband’s Arrest for Murder 15 Months Later

The family of a mother of four who vanished 15 months ago…