We’ve all heard stories of when someone feels like they’ve been given poor service at a store or a restaurant because of being heavily modified. I’ve felt like the scene in Pretty Women before where I’m told the store has nothing for me but last night was the first time in a decade that I have ever been refused entry into a restaurant based solely on the fact that we had tattoos.
Last night around 10:30pm, I headed to CityWalk in Universal City, CA with Norm, Charlie and Vanessa Roberts and our friend Jason. We had tickets to see Avatar at 12:10am and wanted to get dinner first. Everything but Subway and Saddle Ranch Chop House were closed. We walked all the way from the movie theatre to Saddle Ranch where Jason and I went in first and got a table. I noticed that Norm was being held at the door. I went back to see what the problem was and found that they were making him remove his clothing to inspect his tattoos. As I asked what the problem was, I was asked to step aside and Norm and I were escorted out of the line to get in, even though I had already been given a table.
Upon further inspection they told us that we had “gang tattoos” and would not be allowed into the restaurant for the safety of the other patrons. Those of you that know us know that we have no gang affiliations, nor do we have any gang tattoos. I’m covered in Flower and faerie tattoos and that’s it. I guess the “Always” on my hand now stands for some gang that I have no idea about? Norm was a gentleman about it but I wanted to talk to the manager even though we had decided we didn’t want to spend our dollars at a businesss that discriminates against tattooed patrons. We left to go to Subway, which by the time we walked all the way back, was closed.
The lesson that we all need to know is that our dollar effects the decisions that corporations make. I’m asking that you do not visit the Saddle Ranch Chop House or their affiliated restaurants.We should come together and boycott them.
If you want to make a difference, email Alex Chavez (Senior Manager) at [email protected] and let them know that you don’t appreciate rampant discrimination by management against customers who have tattoos and that you and your friends will not be visiting their establishment. You can also call them at 818-760-9680 or send your letter via fax to 818-760-9686. Remember to keep your emails/faxes/phone calls polite and well written otherwise they will just cast us off as they already have.
Do we look like “gang members” to you? Nope, didn’t think so. Using an excuse like that to discriminate against tattooed individuals is reckless and irresponsible. We all want to be able to visit a restaurant and be safe but using a fake claim that we had “gang tattoos” to discriminant against us using their “anti gang tattoo policy” because we are visibly tattooed is unacceptable. Help me to rectify this situation by making sure organizations like this don’t use their policies to discriminate against everyone who is visibly tattooed.
Comments
240 responses to “Saddle Ranch Chop House discriminates against customers”
Sadly to many ignorant fools when some see heavy tattooing they see gang members.
I can see law suit here, but it’s hardly worth the hassle.
Everybody should email this company and let them know that a Hollywood actress was refused entry. I can see a news story here too
The issue of being asked to remove clothes is insane. I would like to know what the right to refuse entry signage is at the front door
Sadly to many ignorant fools when some see heavy tattooing they see gang members.
I can see law suit here, but it’s hardly worth the hassle.
Everybody should email this company and let them know that a Hollywood actress was refused entry. I can see a news story here too
The issue of being asked to remove clothes is insane. I would like to know what the right to refuse entry signage is at the front door
Fairies AND flowers? Obviously that’s the most dangerous type of gang sign – the ones no one would ever suspect in 90 million years. Seriously, forget MS13. It’s that weird, little arm critter that is the real deal. Everything else is just child’s play. And I think I saw something about avatar fans being innate social deviants on Gangland.
At least the movie was good! Please update us with their ‘official’ responses – I hope they grovel and then fire some asses.
Fairies AND flowers? Obviously that’s the most dangerous type of gang sign – the ones no one would ever suspect in 90 million years. Seriously, forget MS13. It’s that weird, little arm critter that is the real deal. Everything else is just child’s play. And I think I saw something about avatar fans being innate social deviants on Gangland.
At least the movie was good! Please update us with their ‘official’ responses – I hope they grovel and then fire some asses.
If you want a boycott to be effective, don’t just say, “we’re never coming here again.”
If you’re never coming there again, what reason do they have to change their position?
Tell them that you’re boycotting them until they do X. Then they know what to do in order to end/prevent the boycott.
If you want a boycott to be effective, don’t just say, “we’re never coming here again.”
If you’re never coming there again, what reason do they have to change their position?
Tell them that you’re boycotting them until they do X. Then they know what to do in order to end/prevent the boycott.
What part of tiny Jewish boy looks gangsta? Seriously. It’s horrible that they did that but it’s also kind of funny for anyone who knows you two. Funny as in absurd…
What part of tiny Jewish boy looks gangsta? Seriously. It’s horrible that they did that but it’s also kind of funny for anyone who knows you two. Funny as in absurd…
Also, I love that shirt Rachel.
Also, I love that shirt Rachel.
Sent an email.
Sent an email.
Email sent. I cant wait to catch that movie!
Email sent. I cant wait to catch that movie!
They did same thing to me when I went there for the first (and last) time back in August. They had to check my neck tattoos, hands, arms, etc. There’s nothing special about that place — food sucks and overrated. The only good thing is watching folks fall off the mechanical bull.
They did same thing to me when I went there for the first (and last) time back in August. They had to check my neck tattoos, hands, arms, etc. There’s nothing special about that place — food sucks and overrated. The only good thing is watching folks fall off the mechanical bull.
Knotts Berry Farm (during Knotts Scary Farm in October) security pulled me aside and asked to see my tattoos. Asked me if I had ever been convicted of a felony or “locked up” at any given point in my life.
What I do have visible are not gang tattoos and I no longer dress the role.
I was asked if I was a gang member and when I said “No” one of the Security staff pointed at one of the tattoos on my hand ( an Ohm) and asked, “Then what does that number 13 stand for?!”
I laughed and told them what it actually stood for. They called their “superiors” (Sheriffs) over and asked them if I should be asked into their offices for further inspection. They looked at my tattoos and said “Let him in.”
It happens.
Life goes on.
You choose your path in life when you get exposed areas tattooed and need to deal with the consequences of it.
A tattooed neck and a flannel are reason enough for cops to fuck with you by labeling you a “gang banger”. I am not saying it’s right but I can’t say that I disagree, being an owner of a business myself.
It’s just how it is on the streets, and in life, “look like a duck, walk like a duck, quack like a duck? Get shot like a duck.”
Knotts Berry Farm (during Knotts Scary Farm in October) security pulled me aside and asked to see my tattoos. Asked me if I had ever been convicted of a felony or “locked up” at any given point in my life.
What I do have visible are not gang tattoos and I no longer dress the role.
I was asked if I was a gang member and when I said “No” one of the Security staff pointed at one of the tattoos on my hand ( an Ohm) and asked, “Then what does that number 13 stand for?!”
I laughed and told them what it actually stood for. They called their “superiors” (Sheriffs) over and asked them if I should be asked into their offices for further inspection. They looked at my tattoos and said “Let him in.”
It happens.
Life goes on.
You choose your path in life when you get exposed areas tattooed and need to deal with the consequences of it.
A tattooed neck and a flannel are reason enough for cops to fuck with you by labeling you a “gang banger”. I am not saying it’s right but I can’t say that I disagree, being an owner of a business myself.
It’s just how it is on the streets, and in life, “look like a duck, walk like a duck, quack like a duck? Get shot like a duck.”
As for what you exactly have tattooed on yourself in those exposed areas?
Not many people look past the ink on your skin and what it resembles.
I go through it every time I go to an Orchestral performance. The other (much older) patrons stare and whisper amongst themselves.
You get labeled “hood” and that’s that.
Prop’s to Norm though. You should never change your attire for what is “acceptable.”
I wouldn’t have showed the management a damn thing upon request. I give him prop’s for that and also for him keeping his cool.
As for what you exactly have tattooed on yourself in those exposed areas?
Not many people look past the ink on your skin and what it resembles.
I go through it every time I go to an Orchestral performance. The other (much older) patrons stare and whisper amongst themselves.
You get labeled “hood” and that’s that.
Prop’s to Norm though. You should never change your attire for what is “acceptable.”
I wouldn’t have showed the management a damn thing upon request. I give him prop’s for that and also for him keeping his cool.
emailed, i kept polite, but added a nice ‘congratulations on the boycott, you’ve earned it’ as a closing statement.
um, glad to hear avatar was decent?
emailed, i kept polite, but added a nice ‘congratulations on the boycott, you’ve earned it’ as a closing statement.
um, glad to hear avatar was decent?
I’m working on sending them a piece of my mind.
I’m working on sending them a piece of my mind.
e-mail sent. Funny, exploring the website and the menu has something about rockabilly on it….hmm….anti-tattoo and pro rockabilly?
e-mail sent. Funny, exploring the website and the menu has something about rockabilly on it….hmm….anti-tattoo and pro rockabilly?
emailed. sorry this happened to you, guys.
emailed. sorry this happened to you, guys.
I knew my comments wouldn’t get posted.
God forbid an opposing view to yours be posted.
I actually wasn’t in opposition of them (Your position) as much as I “understood” their stance.
Oh well.
From the looks of their site, they have a “night life” that is probably looked over by security. I am guessing that it was security members that pulled Norm to the side and questioned him?
You have to consider the area and if you are not from here then you also have to consider that there’s prejudice happening on many different levels here in L.A. based on the City you’re in.
Hell, I grew up out here in North East L.A. and I know to stay out of certain areas like Burbank.
I could go into why I stay out of that area for the tattoos that I have or why I don’t belong there that aren’t based on race but what is the point. This reply won’t get the time of day on your site.
Norm is from MSK.
MSK has been tied up to some major shit in the past year, truth be told. If you go by that alone? You could say that security made a GREAT judgement based on what they perceived as being “unruly”. Little did they know but boy oh boy did they make an educated guess!
Good night.
I knew my comments wouldn’t get posted.
God forbid an opposing view to yours be posted.
I actually wasn’t in opposition of them (Your position) as much as I “understood” their stance.
Oh well.
From the looks of their site, they have a “night life” that is probably looked over by security. I am guessing that it was security members that pulled Norm to the side and questioned him?
You have to consider the area and if you are not from here then you also have to consider that there’s prejudice happening on many different levels here in L.A. based on the City you’re in.
Hell, I grew up out here in North East L.A. and I know to stay out of certain areas like Burbank.
I could go into why I stay out of that area for the tattoos that I have or why I don’t belong there that aren’t based on race but what is the point. This reply won’t get the time of day on your site.
Norm is from MSK.
MSK has been tied up to some major shit in the past year, truth be told. If you go by that alone? You could say that security made a GREAT judgement based on what they perceived as being “unruly”. Little did they know but boy oh boy did they make an educated guess!
Good night.
I just emailed them! Short and simple. What they did was wrong and upsetting! I got ya back yo!
I just emailed them! Short and simple. What they did was wrong and upsetting! I got ya back yo!
Wow, refusing service based on the color of one’s skin.. what decade are we in?
I sure won’t be eating there again.
Wow, refusing service based on the color of one’s skin.. what decade are we in?
I sure won’t be eating there again.
the dude on the left does look like a creepy thug but that’s no reason to discriminate. btw i went to that restaurant once and it was NASTY so you didn’t miss a thing … consider that a favor.
the dude on the left does look like a creepy thug but that’s no reason to discriminate. btw i went to that restaurant once and it was NASTY so you didn’t miss a thing … consider that a favor.
There are a lot of companies like that. I tried to order some clothes from American Apparel to have printed up for my shop and when I called they asked what type of business it was for, and when I told them a tattoo and piercing studio they refused to sell to me, saying “We don’t want THOSE type of people wearing our clothes and we would never sell them to a tattoo shop.” I find that really funny that they’ll hire people with tons of tattoos and/or piercings, but don’t want “those people” wearing their clothes.
There are a lot of companies like that. I tried to order some clothes from American Apparel to have printed up for my shop and when I called they asked what type of business it was for, and when I told them a tattoo and piercing studio they refused to sell to me, saying “We don’t want THOSE type of people wearing our clothes and we would never sell them to a tattoo shop.” I find that really funny that they’ll hire people with tons of tattoos and/or piercings, but don’t want “those people” wearing their clothes.
This was the only picture I had of the two of us where we aren’t making kissy faces or wearing sunglasses.
Norm wasn’t the only one told that he had “gang tattoos”. They didn’t notice my tattoos until I came back out because I was wearing a jacket and had my hair down.
This was the only picture I had of the two of us where we aren’t making kissy faces or wearing sunglasses.
Norm wasn’t the only one told that he had “gang tattoos”. They didn’t notice my tattoos until I came back out because I was wearing a jacket and had my hair down.
Sur Sider: Your comment was posted so I’m not sure what you’re complaining about.
From what I can tell the place turns into a “Club” late at night but we weren’t going into the bar/club area. We were going to sit down at a table and have dinner. Neither management nor security handled the situation in an appropriate manner. To ask someone to remove their clothing to inspect their tattoos goes too far.
The question that is being begged is if I have a concealed tattoo that is only shown after security forces me to expose it, how is that appropriate and how does it affect their security policies? It’s like being kicked out of a public pool because you have pornographic tattoos that nobody would see because you swim in board shorts instead of a speedo. The tattoos were a non issue.
I understand these policies are there for our safety but the problem becomes when they’re abused, which they clearly were in this scenario. Had they said “Sorry guys, your clothing doesn’t meet our dress code” I would have understood but to be told that I have gang tattoos is unacceptable.
Sur Sider: Your comment was posted so I’m not sure what you’re complaining about.
From what I can tell the place turns into a “Club” late at night but we weren’t going into the bar/club area. We were going to sit down at a table and have dinner. Neither management nor security handled the situation in an appropriate manner. To ask someone to remove their clothing to inspect their tattoos goes too far.
The question that is being begged is if I have a concealed tattoo that is only shown after security forces me to expose it, how is that appropriate and how does it affect their security policies? It’s like being kicked out of a public pool because you have pornographic tattoos that nobody would see because you swim in board shorts instead of a speedo. The tattoos were a non issue.
I understand these policies are there for our safety but the problem becomes when they’re abused, which they clearly were in this scenario. Had they said “Sorry guys, your clothing doesn’t meet our dress code” I would have understood but to be told that I have gang tattoos is unacceptable.
Love that photo of the two of you. That anyone would ever think Norm looked like a gang member is just weird.
Love that photo of the two of you. That anyone would ever think Norm looked like a gang member is just weird.
norm and Racheal Reprasentin the “cold patatoes Krew”
thugs
norm and Racheal Reprasentin the “cold patatoes Krew”
thugs
“Sur Sider: Your comment was posted so I’m not sure what you’re complaining about. ”
I spoke (wrote) too soon on that one. I apologize for that.
My stance stands on the rest of what I typed.
I don’t agree with what happened but I can see the opposing stance on the issue. It’s the Republican in me, I suppose.
“Sur Sider: Your comment was posted so I’m not sure what you’re complaining about. ”
I spoke (wrote) too soon on that one. I apologize for that.
My stance stands on the rest of what I typed.
I don’t agree with what happened but I can see the opposing stance on the issue. It’s the Republican in me, I suppose.
Rachel: I am not a legal professional. However I don’t think they can “make” you show your ink or such. They can refuse you entry/service if you don’t but that is a different thing all together.
I do not know the laws that govern the “right to refuse service” but as they are a private business they have a right to do business with who they want to. I am not sure how this works with discrimination laws either.
I am part of an “alternative lifestyle group” which was kicked out of the restaurant where we used to meet for years after an issue of collars came up and the management stated members could not wear them in anymore. I am talking Goth/BDSM type collars. Nothing can be done about beyond getting them to learn a bit of acceptance.
As mentioned things like this do happen and it is unfortunate. I seriously doubt the boycott will work simply because it doesn’t look like this place caters to “our kind of people” in the first place and won’t lose any business because of it.
You might however consider taking your story further to the local media such as any newspapers or even a local TV station that might be interested. This may cause some pressure on them in the long run. Who knows. May be worth a shot and get some publicity for yourselves too.
best of luck
Rachel: I am not a legal professional. However I don’t think they can “make” you show your ink or such. They can refuse you entry/service if you don’t but that is a different thing all together.
I do not know the laws that govern the “right to refuse service” but as they are a private business they have a right to do business with who they want to. I am not sure how this works with discrimination laws either.
I am part of an “alternative lifestyle group” which was kicked out of the restaurant where we used to meet for years after an issue of collars came up and the management stated members could not wear them in anymore. I am talking Goth/BDSM type collars. Nothing can be done about beyond getting them to learn a bit of acceptance.
As mentioned things like this do happen and it is unfortunate. I seriously doubt the boycott will work simply because it doesn’t look like this place caters to “our kind of people” in the first place and won’t lose any business because of it.
You might however consider taking your story further to the local media such as any newspapers or even a local TV station that might be interested. This may cause some pressure on them in the long run. Who knows. May be worth a shot and get some publicity for yourselves too.
best of luck