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Laurenzos is known for its prime rib.: Karen Warren : 29-95
This note first appeared on a friend’s Facebook page. She shared it with me with and I reached out to Kim Castillo, who gave me enthusiastic permission to share it with Whine & Dine readers.
Castillo writes:
“Tonight was a first. Dinner at Laurenzo's and a family of 4 asked to be moved from the booth next to us. I didn't think that much about it but shortly after they left the restaurant entirely, glancing at our table as they left (thought I was being paranoid). As it turns out they told the waiter, ‘special needs kids should be kept in special places.’ The waiter promptly told them he was offended by their comment and refused to serve them. Yay for people like Michael, Candace and Eric at Laurenzo's (also waiters who everyone should go tip heavily) who not only love (my son) Milo for who he is -- a customer and little boy with Down syndrome, but stand up for him no matter what.”
Milo Castillo: Photo courtesy of Kim Castillo
No surprise that the restaurant is getting a little love on Facebook today.
UPDATED 11 a.m., Jan. 18: Castillo contacted Whine + Dine after reading some of the comments. She wanted to clarify a few things:
"If I had known the story would carry this much impact I would probably have provided a bit more information. So here is a little background.
"We have been taking Milo out to restaurants since he was born. On the whole, he acts better than most typical children. He has an Ipad and can navigate through his apps and movies basically all on his own. Wednesday night we had just sat down maybe 10 minutes before the other family came in. We had not been in for a few weeks so all the waiters were coming to say hi to Milo. He was responding to them, telling them how old he is (just had a birthday) etc. We, adults, were encouraging Milo to say hi and show off some of his new vocabulary. Was he loud? Maybe a little in the moment, but honestly, the adults at our table were 3x louder than he was.
"If he had been obnoxious, which like any other 5 year old he can be, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the family asking to move. No one wants to sit next to a loud, disruptive child but it had nothing to do with him having special needs. He is just a kid and shouldn’t be discriminated against. He certainly didn’t ask to be born with Down’s syndrome."
UPDATED 4:30 p.m., Jan. 18: Michael Garcia has been a waiter for two-and-a-half years at Laurenzo's and says the family he refused to serve were regulars at the restaurant.
"Did he just say that in front of his own children?" he said to himself. "I had considered whether or not I would lose my job, but I knew it wasn't right. I could find another job and my guests would follow me. ... I was pissed."
Laurenzo's Prime Rib: 4412 Washington, 713-880-5111
In this day and age?
i know the laurenzos family there so sweet and the little boy hes the sweetest little guy and i know the waiter he is the nicest person u know.He was brave to say that
no you don't...
Is this some kind of sick political correctness joke? The customers who were forced to leave did not address those at the table of the child with Down's Syndrome. Apparently they "offended" Michael or whomever. Are we to understand that if we go to Laurenzo's, we must first pass Michael's judgment before we will be seated and served?
If this is a new Houston restaurant etiquette rule, will you please post the names of the wait staff “judges” at Houston restaurants, so we will know who to suck up to.
So, you prefer to stand up, for your "right" to be RUDE, Tactless, Uncaring and Unfeeling, and in general a Boor, or, what is otherwise known as an A**hole? In this, the age of "Political Correctness"? Which has been brought upon us, methinks, by people exactly like you?
No, maybe the customer did not directly address, the child, or the parents, or anyone else at the "table of the child with Down's Syndrome", but, apparently, since it was posted by the Mother of the "child with Down's Syndrome" if was overheard, at least at the "table of the child with Down's Syndrome"! And if it was over heard at that particular table, at how many other tables was it heard at?
Have you no heart? Have you no compassion, no caring? Have you no soul?
Maybe it would be better, for all, if you just stayed at home, that way, you would not be confronted with those who are different from you!
Well said!!!!!
This has nothing to do with political correctness!!!! It has to do with COMPASSION and taking up for the rights of others to live. I'll bet you are for late term abortions too ... Aren't you?? The people that gave the hateful remark ... Should have been removed ... Maybe there is a restaurant that serve hateful people that seem to think they are better than anyone else ... Or maybe they should order in at home. A few years ago I was in a Kentucky fried Chicken with my " Special Child " and my sister, when 3 teens came in Talking very loudly and cutting up ... After few moments one of the boys came to our table and asked if my son had a problem with them because he kept looking at them.. I told him I didn't know what he was ta
King about .. He proceeded to tell us how he was going to whip my sons ass .. I waited for the people working there to do something .. Nothing was done, they only watched while we were being verbally attacked .. As did the other customers sitting there. My sister and I took my son and left to get away from this rude and aggressive person. When we got outside I asked my son why he was staring at the boy ... He said, "mom, I not tell if he boy or girl!" LMBO. THE BOY HAD LONG HAIR AND EARRINGS. I laughed my ass off all the way back into the diner and was more than happy to tell the boy why Travis was looking at him ... I said, "by the way, my son was staring at your brother because he couldn't tell if he was boy or girl !!" then I said , "your Mother must be very proud of you!".
"Maybe there is a restaurant that serve hateful people that seem to think they are better than anyone else...
That would be Chik-Fil-A
Seriously??? You bring up Chick-fil-a? You are way off on this comment. Do your research and really consider your perspective before putting it out there like that. One has nothing to do with the other.
Oh.. By the way thebells ... Is your Mother proud of u???? I applaud the waiter!!!
Establishing guidelines about how we as a society can appropriately address disability = political correctness. NOT discussing the behaviour of a specific special-needs child in his earshot = a basic level of kindness.
I would like this post about five thousand times if I could.
Here's a thought- try spending 5 minutes thinking about someone other than yourself, and how your actions and feelings may affect other people. Just try it once in your life.
Don't go out in PUBLIC and keep your nasty opinions to yourself. Obviously your one that is a hateful piece of shit like the customers who left. Go back under the rock you came from.
The first amendment grants you the right to free speech, but does not grant you the right to not be held accountable for the idiocy that comes out of your mouth. If you think that waitstaff (or anyone, honestly) has to interact with someone that says insulting, insensitive and above all very stupid things out loud, then you are as big an idiot as the family that he refused to serve.
And honestly, as much praise as the waiter is getting, the owners of the restaurant deserve at least a portion themselves for standing behind their employee.
Why would you need to know which waiters would refuse you service for being an ignorant jerk? If you are stupid and rude enough to not normally treat everyone with respect, you don't deserve to eat in public at any restaurant.
Get a grip. Have some compassion, or at least some common courtesy. What ever happened to the Golden Rule?
I will NOT eat in a restaurant where I have to be annoyed by someones Pride & Joy. I pay my money to enjoy my food, not to be annoyed by a child.
Wow, you have a serious jerkiness problem.
Yet another jerk scapegoating 'political correctness' when the real issue is someone's egregious violation of basic decency.
Hey 'TheBells'; I hope that's just a handle and that there aren't more than one of you!
I don't believe I read anywhere that Michael Garcia asked the "rude" customers to leave. I read that "he" refused to serve them. Possibly they could have asked for another waiter or moved out of "his tables". What these customers did was completely RUDE period. Believe me, from the way it sounds,I am sure that this restaurant is over run with customers who don't need to be "straightened out" the way those rude people needed to be! If they cannot act any better in public, maybe THEY are the ones who need to stay home!
That is so true I was not there but according to the story, the waiter was not rude. they should asked to be moved to another side of the restaurant and be treated with another waiter or waitress and this could be solved, special need children should be treated equal like every living human. I don't think that was the only empty table located next to Milo's table, plus special children they are so cute because their minds are so innocent than a normal child, special needs children wants to be treated like a normal person if they do something good they want the same attention as someone else, and since the Castillo family was a regular customer in there, Milo must be feeling like Michael and all the waiters and waitress are part of his family so he confident with them and happy see them again. I think the other family is the one who were rude remember that life has many turns and I hope one day they don't have a special need child because then they would be able to understand how it feels treating a special need child, I have a special need child that I passed difficult times while he was in school now he is already graduated from High School but it wasn't easy for him neither for me as a mother, this is why I completely understand the feelings of Castillo's family. I am really proud of Micheal Garcia for his deep heart feelings why he did it? because he also probably see Milo like part of his family also, and his heart spoke for him. Congratulations to Michael Garcia for standing in front of Milo.
Thebells,
The people were not forced to leave their waiter stated he would not serve them and they chose to leave. I pity you and your family because you also seem that you would be someone to make such an ignorant remark or have money and feel you are entitled to do and say as you please. Educate yourself on special needs children and have some compassion. No one is judging but standing up for a defenseless child and his family. Other patrons stated the child was not rude or loud. I applaud the waiter and the restaurant!
You must be the man and/or the family who said those offending remarks about the sweet little boy, and now you're lashing out from embarrassment, humiliation, and anger as your pride and ego have been hurt. Grow up.
It is unfortunate when we "so called Americans" can become so inconsiderate that we can look at innocent children and judge them because they should kept hidden from public view. I would like to believe that attitude went out with the tipical republican way of life when Obama won his first Presidential election. As a vet I fought in the war so that we Americans can feel whatever we want, but when we try to impose that attitude on every one else, are we truely Americans or just idiots hiding behind a dying breed?
maybe you should stay home and cook your own meals. they were not forced to leave. Those rude ppl choose to leave because the one waiter wouldn't wait on them. And i don't think any of them would have. What kind of example is he setting for his own children? He just made himself look like a fool. I waitressed before, and I would have done the same thing. I however would have lost my job, but at least i did what was right. Speak out against ignorance. and you are one of those ignorant ppl. Just remember you will have to answer to higher ppl then the wait staff at Laurenzo's. I would love to eat there if they were near me. Outstanding ppl to stand for what it right!
I agree with TheBells. These were friends of Michael's and "he" was the one who over reacted and got offended. It seems to me like Michael was looking for his day of fame. Whether a child is handicapped or not, if they are interfering with the dinning of other patrons why shouldn't they ask to be moved? Are we to believe Michael's account that the patrons who asked to be moved actually made that comment, or was Michael so offended he decided to make it up? These people did not interact with the family of the handicapped child, so how is he being rude to anyone? When I and my family dines out, we are also paying to be able to eat and converse in peace. Just because a child has a handicap does not mean everyone else has to give up their rights being violated. Of course the Mother didn't think he was being too loud, she has gone deaf listening to it day in and out and she expects others to do so as well. I too have walked out of restaurants that did nothing with unruly "non"-handicap children, are others just supposed to put up with the noise and disturbances because you can't control your child? If your child is acting up in public it is the parent’s duty to take the child outside and calm the child down or get your food to go and head home so you don't disturb others who are paying for the dining experience. If you think it is alright for your child to be disruptive, then go to Chucky Cheese where everyone is loud and yelling, at least their it is expected. We certainly will not eat at this restaurant when they have employees who can't protect the rights of "all" customers.
I pray that you get your children sprayed or neutered so you do not have to worry about where to take any of your special needs familiar members when they are born. I can not believe how ignorant people are today.
THE CUSTOMERS WERE NOT FORCED TO LEAVE, you IDIOT!
In response to "thebells" comment. This has nothing to do with political correctness! It doesn't appear that the customers were forced to leave, sounds like another waiter could have tended to them. They were probably indignant that their RUDE behavior was called in to question, besides restaurants have the right to refuse service. Bravo to Michael for having the courage to call someone's ill natured comments directly to their face. And as for you "thebells" commentator, the only reason you jest about "who to suck up to" is because you have a sucked attitude, and maybe you're the real rude culprit that left the restaurant.
Your a Nazi jerk. You and your ilk go play eugenics on another planet.
I could suggest, if thou art so offended, as illustrated by your head-in-the-sand perception of human rights, 'thebells', try removing yourself from your self-important ivory tower.
As proud as I am of the city of my birth, there are other people who live outside the city of Houston. Don't go to Laurenzo's. You won't like the atmosphere...Furthurmore, if you think by 'sucking up', as you put it, to your waitstaff will get you noticed then you deserve to be milked for every feeble dollar you throw. You sound like a cheap skate who needs to get a life!
It's not about sucking up, it's about having a little common sense, courtesy, and respect for others. You obviously missed that train as well.
Bullies of this world love to say suck it up princess, too bad, get over it... to cover up for the fact that they're essentially morally bankrupt and lacking in capacity for empathy. I'm actually going to plan a trip to Houston, specifically because this gentleman and his employer had the courage to put what is right ahead of catering to vile, shameless people. And I'm going to start reading this blog (first ever) because they felt it was worth publishing. If this offends you thebells, ask yourself is it's hitting a little close to home.
I tip my hat to the waiter. I have an 18 year old Granddaughter with Downs.
Not only is Milo special it takes special parents to have one. Glad that the other family doesn't have a 'special needs' child!
I live in Idaho and about this story on MSN's web page. Way to go Michael Garcia!!!!! We need more to step out of their own comfort level and put their jobs on line as well as to stand up for what is RIGHT,to support someone else. We have become a NATION of IGNORANT people!!! Corporations with money that have lost the human touch and how to treat people with kindness!!! It's all number and the money! Stand up for what you believe is RIGHT !!!
I know I would have done the same. I praise him for standing up for thislittle guy. I really hate people that make fun of or degrade anyone with a disability!!!! I sat next to an individual with Down Syndrome just the other night and had a blast with him. They are such happy people and to be put off by them like that other family is crazy! People need to grow up these days!!!
I myself have a son that is 6 with downs.I also have 2 other children that are 22 and 21. and my 6 year old puts the other 2 to shame, he has so much love and kindness to give, every were we go people know him and greet him happly. how could some one be so hurt full to one of these kids. I am glad that the waiter did say something and stand up for Milo. When I was a kid some 30 years ago, I remember that special needs kids were always looked down at, they were "not like you and me" . but the times are a changing. look we have obama as press. many generations have fought to prove that we are all equial but there are some few of us that think that these kids (that will be adults) are not , because they are special.
I certainly hope that the restaurant gave Michael a huge raise or bonus. Kudos to him! If I ever eat there, I'd give him a great tip!
I would like to commend the waiter and the establishment in this situation. People like the ones who were involved in being so rude and distasteful are the type who are dangers to civil society.
As long as the kid was not acting up then all should have been well. I would possibly say that maybe the kid was doing things that drew attention to himself and he just fed on the attention and of course you being the parents somehow overlook you childs poor behavior
The problem was not that they asked to be moved to another table. We do that for a variety of reasons: too close to the kitchen door or bathroom door, people using bad language at the next table or being too loud, lighting issues, air-conditioning register too close, etc. The problem was the comment:"special needs kids should be kept in special places." If the child WAS acting up, they could have nicely asked to be re-seated. In the unlikely event that they were asked why, they could have said that they would like a quieter table.
Anyone so rudely expressive should not be seated at such a lovely restaurant. A great restaurant must have attentive wait staff. Michael Garcia, in removing this person, upheld the standards of quality his employer, his customers, and his own character require. And, in doing so, ironically, he gave the rude-spoken individual exactly what he requested, a special place for Milo Castillo, Laurenzo's!
Just a nudge...Garcia did NOT 'remove' these people. They REQUESTED to be moved, then after the reported exchange, CHOSE to leave.
Don't make Garcia any more than a hero than he already is.
He wouldn't like it.
I do sincerely hope you never have to experience what this family lovingly deals with everyday. I doubt you could handle it. This is the real world. We no longer keep humans who aren't perfectly built to society's criteria in confined institutions so we don't have to acknowledge they exist.
I hope your view evolves as you go through life. I know you are sincere, but maybe this was a learning experience for you.
Exactly!
Exactly!
Are you friggin' kidding me? "Your child's [sic] poor behavior?" Obviously, you don't have a child with this kind of condition. You are just as insensitive as the people that asked to be moved. If you don't want to see children "drawing attention" to themselves, stay at your house. We don't need you in public, please.
That's not how [sic] works.
Perhaps your disruptive little snowflakes should be kept at home. Let other patrons eat in peace without having to endure the behaviour of your children.
Amazes me that people automatically blame the parents. Shame on you.
Good for the wait staff! Wish we had more people like this in the world. I'll be sure to stop in to eat and bring my business to places like this. It is unfortunate for the people who made these disturbing remarks about this child. I'm sure that they are pretty unpleasant people to be around - at anytime.
This comment summarizes my thoughts exactly. Well said.
Those a-holes are missing out on something that is truly special! If you have spent any time with these children you would know. They would be the only people who would give those jerks a hug and a sweet word!
Right, because they went to Laurenzos to hang out with other families and their special needs children. I always go to restaurants when I feel like a meet & greet with strangers with special needs kids. /sarcasm off
You missed the point because you let the story make you emotional... They were there to dine, and they had every right to a pleasant experience as much as the next family, period. The waitstaff were biased because the family with the child were regulars. Last time I checked, companies do not stay in business solely because of repeat customers, they need new and repeat customers as much as any other business.
This is bad press for Laurenzos, though it seem most of you view it as positive.
It is viewed as positive, a testament to the fact that douches like yourself exist concerned with only your little pathetic world, its a kid for god's sake, f*cking grow up a little bit, the people were out of line , and they were treated accordingly.....
If it had been me, and the table was too loud for me, I would have asked to be moved without any BS comments....
Uhhh, did you miss it?! The table that requested to be moved were Regulars as well?! Unacceptable, EVERYONE has a right to go 'Out to eat', believe me, there are ALLLL Kinds 'Out There' and People (Us as Servers of the 'Public')
have to put up w/ ALL kinds of Ignoramus' so, in the nature of the situation, they (the Wait-staff/Owners) had every right to request their dismissal....Geesh!!
Servers are usually biased against a-holes. That should be industry standard. Yet people like you still roam these forums.
So tell me are mom & dad still calling each other brother & sis since divorce
Nah, your parents have kissed and made up since then.
So I am Milo Castillos oldest cousin and I just want to say your response made my night to this idiots comment. All of you positively supporting us in this means more to us than you know. We never expected it to get this far and we are nothing but blessed for your support. And to all of you commenting otherwise, I guess they weren't lying when they said ignorance is bliss. (;
SaraBeth, I'll tell you one thing, there is NOTHING more solid than the Special Needs/DS community. WE WILL ALWAYS stand by you, even if you think no one will. There are a lot of us. We may be extremely busy with our own children, but when it comes to "our own", NOTHING will stand in our way from speaking up and fighting for OUR children. It's so nice to see others stand up for OUR kids too! This story is WONDERFUL! Milo is a representative for all the other beautiful people like him. This is a great thing for the rest of "us" to witness....to see the heart of others. Makes me smile and my heart sing!
i command this waiter and your employer i have been a waitress and bartender for twenty years and have worked for the same company for over eleven years and there have been many times i wish i could voice my opinion like you did unfortunatley i would probably be fired what a wonderful employee you have he should be commended.
Servers are usually biased toward a-holes and families comprised of them. What kind of example is the family that left setting for their own kids?
The servers were biased because the people were complete jerks? You have a right to a pleasant night out, but if the kid wasnt being obnoxious then whats the deal. And you are defending people where they said special kids need to be in special places? Thats pleasantries? C'mon dude. This nation is comprised of all sorts of people and how long are we to keep brushing them aside and not embracing them? And at the end of the day you know what the restaurant has the right to deny anyone service and obviously the management stoop behind them. Kudos to the waitstaff and dude you suck as a person.
How do you know the kid wasn't obnoxious? We can't know because the imaginary other table won't speak. Sort of like that football player's fake girlfriend.
If he was obnoxious, they could have asked to move and simply made up a reason why they wanted to move.. it's called tact.
The couple that left had their kids with them... where did you get that from? Oh, you made an assumption, I get it. Assumptions, no matter how imaginary or wild, are completely allowed on the internet... LOL
Read the update, genius.
The waiter clearly states that the family that he refused to serve were also regulars, and that the comment was made in front of the children.
You're right that they had the right to have a pleasant experience and IF the child was making too much noise that are will within reason to request another table. However, they made their true feelings known by the asinine comment about 'special people belong in special places.' This shows them for the bigots they are and the wait staff did right to throw their sorry behinds out the door.
Bigot
Best you can do man? One word? Why the moderators let that through I will never know... it adds no point to any of the conversation.
Since you put so much effort into it, I will assume that you have already forgotten about the whole incident because it meant that much to you, LOL.
'Special needs kids should be kept in special places.’ I feel like that may have been the most biased action or comment throughout the story. And you're right, people do have the right to a pleasant experience but deciding to comment on the rights of a special needs person is a bit far.
And if most people think it's good press, it's good press, regardless of your opinion.
You, sir, are missing the point.
The child was causing no disruption.
The family that demanded to be moved to another table was offended by the mere presence of this child, who was causing no harm to them whatsoever.
These cretins allowed their own prejudice to affect the enjoyment of their meal, and the blame and responsibility falls squarely on their shoulders.
You can view it as bad press for Laurenzo's. I plan on dining there even more frequently now.
Oh, and Candace -- she's AWESOME!!!!
I appreciate the civil reply, yours was one of the few.
But I cannot understand how you can say, with such conviction, that the child and the family was not disruptive to others. With only one side of the story, the moms side, how fair do you think it is to assume that the child was not disruptive and that the other folks singled out Milo based solely on his looks? That is A LOT of assuming on your part.
Like I always say, never let facts or critical thinking get in the way of a good emotional internet rant...
The article also mentioned the waiter's statement, as well, so the story doesn't just reflect the mother's point of view.
The kid was mentioned to be liked by the staff, which means that he is, most likely, not disruptive when him and his mother visit the establishment.
The whole point of this is that the family of four has made a prejudiced remark about the kid when they requested that they be moved to another table. If the kid was being overly loud then, yes, they had every right to request to be moved to a different table. Something like, "Will it be possible for us to be seated somewhere a little quieter?", would have worked out perfectly. However, they decided to take the issue to an entirely different level by stating that "special needs kids should be kept in special places" while making the request.
So, in the end, it really doesn't matter if the kid was being loud or not--the family of four pulled off some McDouche Shenanigan Supreme and ended up being shown the door.
Because you seem completely able to "assume" that the child WAS being disruptive. You don't know, and neither does she, the only information you have is what was posted on the story that the child was NOT being disruptive, yet you automatically jump to your own conclusions that the story is incorrect.
You-are the one that is NOT understanding the entire story...The family asked to move and said clearly and distinctly "Special needs children need special places"...If they said--"the children were disruptive, or the child was disruptive...no problem---It does not matter if the mom was lying (which I doubt)--and there is ABSOLUTELY NO Assuming on anyone's part...Talk about "never letting facts or critical thinking get in the way..." You probably are the rude parent...I don't care who you are--but I have the most perfect and special niece with Downs Syndrome and you would not be fit to be in the same world with her--much less the same restaurant...Condescending uppity liberal jerk!!!!
You say "liberal" as if it is true, applicable, and insulting. I doubt it's the first and I know it's not the second or third. In my experience "liberals" tend to be more compassionate and tolerant towards differences. Further, throwing labels like liberal or conservative around like insults does nothing to bring us together as people or as a nation. Let's bring the vast majority of topics on which we all agree back into focus, and let that be the foundation to bring some sanity to the discussion of topics on which we don't.
I agree with you, and they should be moved when asked. That's fine and dandy, right up to the point where he opened his mouth and said that “Special needs kids should be kept in special places.”
His special place is out the door and don't come back.
Well, genius, if the majority sees this as positive, how exactly is this bad press for Laurenzo's? As a matter of fact, several commenters here are planning to go there jus because of this. You must dine alone alot. And other things....
Sorry, didn't realize all 100+ commenters were the "majority" in a city of many million. The majority of the commenters, I can assure you, are not the majority that dines at Laurenzos, they just like to make internet white noise on comment boards about things that make them feel better about themselves.
Tell ya what, how about Laurenzos give the people on this comment section a free entree if they bring in a printed copy of the comments section here and show the staff their comments? Sound fair? Or would you not want others to actually see what you wrote when your anonymity is gone.
Why would I be ashamed of anything I have written? Most of us are anonymous because in these days it is just good sense. I'm not sure where you were going with that second paragraph - that was oddly irrelevant but I'll go you one better - would you like to tell that little boy straight to his sweet face, that he is not wanted? On second thought, you probably would.
Sounds like you are just out here because "you just like to make internet white noise on comment boards about things that make them feel better about themselves." Or maybe you just think yours is the only valid opinion. Just accept you are wrong in this instance and move on to annoy people on another comment board so you can feel better about yourself.
BTW, in case you weren't able to tell, I concur with the vast majority of posters....the family that asked to be moved was well within their right. There should have kept the reason to themselves because the family with the special needs boy was there first and had every right to be there as well.
wow you must lead a really pathetic and boring life to spend so much time on here try to make the poor kid seem in the wrong when the customers who asked to be moved were obviously as big of douches as you are. Shame....hope your mother isn't around to see what a jackass she raised.
wow you must lead a really pathetic and boring life to spend so much time on here try to make the poor kid seem in the wrong when the customers who asked to be moved were obviously as big of douches as you are. Shame....hope your mother isn't around to see what a jackass she raised.
serverswerebiased, why in the world would someone be ashamed of commenting in favor of what the waiter did? If they were stating the comments that you were stating, then yes, I can see being ashamed. You are assuming that the people commenting should be or would be ashamed of their stance, but in reality, I believe that you are confused, and it's really yourself that is ashamed. I think you should contemplate your position on this issue a little more before you carry on.
I'm not anonymous. My name is Jeff Malone. And I will personally pay for your appetizer, entree, bottle of wine, dessert and gratuity if you tell me what day/time you would like to show up to Laurenzo's with a printed copy of your comments. I've read every comment and am so proud of my fellow Houstonians for standing up for this family. You on the other hand, are the only person that would be nervous or ashamed to show your face in public holding your list of comments.
I have never been so embarrassed for someone I haven't met. I'm disgusted with your comments and just want to meet someone that is so blinded by ignorance.
So come out from behind your anonymity. Quit making waves on internet comment boards and come to Laurenzo's so everyone can see exactly who you are.
I may even bring a photographer - so I can take a picture of you and your comments to every restaurant in Houston and leave a copy with the hostess.
majority? hardly. I actually get out past the 610 loop and know nobody in the right mind would bring their kid, any kid to Washington. Something about this story stinks.
that smell would be you....
Restaurants reserve the right to serve or not serve anyone they choose. For someone to say that special needs children should be left somewhere special is just down right rude. and if you support people being that rude, then you are a douche bag.
And for the employees to repeat that back to the family is about as unprofessional as it gets, so if you think I am a douche bag, then you must also think the same of the employees, since they had so many other options besides repeating what someone said and making the family with the kid feel bad...
Think about it, what is the sole reason that Milo had to deal with this stuff? It would be a non-issue had employee(s) not repeated it. From what I can gather from the one-sided story is that the horrible comment was made in confidence to the staff, and the THE STAFF took the initiative of making Milo and his family feel bad. Had nothing to do with the other folks, but yeah, who says things like that about people of any age with Downs.
Folks, all I am saying, is the employees did a really bad job of handling it. Nothing more, nothing less. Move the bad people to another part of the restaurant and don't repeat a hurtful comment to the people it hurts... how hard is that?
It sounds to me as though another waitstaff knew what happened and thought Garcia should be recognized and felt that the family should know. It may well be that the person who told thought that the family may have been aware of what was going on and felt it would be a comfort to show support. No malice there at all. Not a bit unprofessional either. In your opinion, poor judgment. I choose to see the whole thing as an uplift in a dreary, scary world. You, of course, may take it as you like.
I'm curious why you think it is the waiter's responsibility to cover up for the rudeness of the guests.
I agree they could of moved them instead of kicking their butts to the curve I personally think the table next to the bathrooms would of been sufficient since the family seemed to not have control over their comments. Maybe the staff in your eyes did wrong, but the hole ordeal started with the controled words from the family without the special needs child. If you don't have nothing nice to say don't say nothing at all. Simple problem solved. The family that was rude should of spoke with more respect and got nothing any different than what they deserved, other than the table fit for a potty mouth next to the bathrooms.
I work for milo's mother and i can tell you that the employees did not make her and her family feel bad at all, they made her happy, Mrs Castillo is a passionate activist about this subject:disrespect/ignorance of special needs humans, she is also a prominate houston business woman with many prominate contacts - the jerks picked the wrong kid to insult LOL. Boy, that prime rib looks good - they have gained a customer!
That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long time. The child and family should get special treatment because they are regulars. Any business plan suggests that. The fact that they have a special needs son makes that , from the business sense, even better marketing. Everyone is supposed to have a good experience, but there is never going to be 100% approval so you take care of your "bread and butter" clientele. your point was plain ignorant!
It is not the most ridiculous thing you have heard in a long time... that sentence is a just a veiled put-down. It is ok, I can see past the jibberish.
So then we can agree that everyone should have a good experience... Well, had the employees been a little more socially savvy and less emotional and biased, this could have been handled in a few minutes and it would be a non-issue. Instead, here we are on a stupid comments section debating it.
I tell you what pal, you sound pretty big and bad on a message board yourself. First of all, as a father of a son w/ Down syndrome, I would want to know what idiot relative of yours would make such an inappropriate comment regarding my son. Second, you claim everyone speaks freely on a condition of anonymity, lets lift that. You tell me where and when to discuss this like grown men and I would be more than happy to speak with you face-to-face. Your move bub.
Another internet tough guy... lol.
This is the stupidest thing I have read in this comments section. Showing preferential treatment to regulars is poor business etiquette as it implies that new customers receive inferior service. If there is a dispute between staff and customer, the customer is (almost) always in the right. That's a pretty universal rule, sure. But if there's a dispute between two customers, I would side with whoever I felt was in the right (not whoever came the most or had been coming the longest).
The family and their son should receive preferential treatment because they are in the right, not because they are regulars. Your point is just plain stupid because, by your logic, inconsiderate customers like that should be treated better if they eat there frequently.
I don't disagree with your ethics, but with your reasoning. All customers should be receive the same quality of service, regardless of how often they eat there. The rare disputes between customers should be settled based upon your judgement.
read the end of the article. He only refused that one time he is actually willing to serve them again if they come back. Plus the other family he told he wouldn't serve at the time were frequent customers there too.
I doubt they will be back. The waiter cost the business future business from these patrons. It should have been handled differently.
The mother admitted that the son can be obnoxious but he wasn't at that moment. I have two special needs kids and at 5 years old they were no more disruptive than any other 5 year old kid. Most adults are louder than these kids - especially if they are drunk. The bottom line is, if you want to be seated somewhere else, you don't have to make disparaging remarks about others. Just ask to be moved. End of story. I don't think the waiter would have hesitated to move and serve them. As for Laurenzo's losing customers? I don't think so. Next time I am in San Antonio I will make a special trip to Houston to have lunch there. I hope I get to meet Milo. :) This story put the restaurant on the map.
Buddy I think I could understand your BIASED point, except I can't get my head up my butt as far as yours is
Emotional much? Jack, does your husband know you are on the internet again?
The server(s) made a mistake, as simple as that. They had the power to keep that comment to themselves, but they just had to go and tell the family with the little boy. How smart is that? Or would a better solution have been to keep that comment to themselves, move the complainers to another part of the restaurant and then get revenge by spitting in the food, pubes, slow service, etc...
There are better ways to skin a cat, and all in the world I am saying is the employees did a poor job of handling it.
I don't understand why you are blaming the servers and defending the outrageous and inexcusable bad behavior of the patrons over and over again. I am trying to see your perspective, but I am not able to.
I know why RaoulSilva. After reading all of his posts it has dawned on me he was the patron that said that awful remark about special needs children and is trying to defend himself.
You're right, they should expect a pleasant experience. BUT they didn't want to sit around a special needs child and made it known. How is that different than not wanting to sit next to a family of a certain race, or a mixed race family? What they did was wrong. Not everyone is perfect like them, thankfully.
And I think I will go to Laurenzos this week.
You must be part of the family of four.
Did you NOT read the part where they wanted to move because the child wasn't "normal"? And the ones they did not serve were also regulars.
Maybe you should read the article before you comment.
You sir, are a total jerk. It was stated that this child was not causing a disturbance of any kind. My guess is that this restaurant will now be getting much more business and that this incident did not harm them at all.
"The waitstaff were biased because the family with the child were regulars. Last time I checked, companies do not stay in business solely because of repeat customers, they need new and repeat customers as much as any other business."
Exactly and this is why accommodating Milo's family is just as important - read it again:
"..and says the family he refused to serve were regulars at the restaurant." - not Milo's family.
1. seems like your bias clouded your reading and
2. by saying "special needs kids should be kept in special places" as in not their regular place they dine, they had a sense of entitlement. They showed their true, miserable colors with that comment and could of just asked to be moved like everyone else does when they are not content with their current seats.
/sarcasmnotneededhere
If you read the article, the family he asked to leave were also regulars. Had they not made the special needs comment, im sure he family would have been accommodated. If I owned the restaurant, I would ask that family not to return.
They stated the family that was refused the service were also regulars if you read the article correctly. Lorenzo's is a 'family' restaurant and the "family of four" were welcomed into that enviornment as your family or mine would be... without bias. You are correct that they have the right to enjoy their dining experience and you do too; it would seem a warm, generous and friendly place like Lorenzo's is not the place for them or you... And to tell you the truth, your company (and theirs) won't be missed!
The devil doesn't need an advocate.
You are an idiot. It is people like you who are ruining this world. you probably are a bully and think your s*** doesn't stink. Well, it does. "Special" people LIKE YOU should have your own special places...at home! By the way....this was AWESOME publicity for the restaurant. Your intelligence is just to low to see that.
If most people view it as positive, it is by definition good press. You are a certifiable moron.
No one asked or expected the other family to "meet and greet" with the special-needs child. All they had to do was sit down, order, behave themselves, and mind their own business. Something that was apparently beyond their ability, so who's the family in this story with the real 'special needs'?
I'm a little person and have spent a lifetime dealing with people like you... and your ill-mannered, intrusive brats. I've learned one thing from the experience: the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.
No, YOU missed the point. The family that was asked to leave were also regulars. They were not asked to leave because they asked to be moved, but rather for the comment made about "special" kids. Last time I checked, the restaurants I go to have a little sign that says "We reserve the right to refuse service." and that's what happened. Rude public behavior is not rewarded.
I think YOU missed the point. Why does this rude family have more of a right to enjoy their dining experience than the other? Milo's family didn't ask not to be seated near the rude assholes. They were the one with the problem so they should go somewhere else. Although this is great press for Laurenzos, again you missed the point....it is more importantly a story about the human kindness of a waiter, and that makes me want to spend my money in a place like that.
Apparently you missed the statement that the customers who were refused service were also regulars.
I'm trying to figure out how a child simply by having down syndrome would create an "unpleasant experience" for other patrons, if the child is not being disruptive. Is it because he may look or act differently than others? Sounds like the OP is an elitist and reminds me of the attitude of another group of people who were known as Nazis. Think about it, same type of discrimination taken to the untimate extreme. You're just a person with an ugly soul - go spread your hate somewhere else. I feel for the people that are subjected to your arrogance and bigotry in day to day life.
OMG! What rock did you crawl out from under? Until you walk in the shoes of a parent who has a child with special needs you should probably keep your comments to yourself. The wait staff at Lorenzo's did exactly the right thing. You need to re-read the article. The family he refused to serve were regulars at the restaurant, too.
OMG! What rock did you crawl out from under? Until you walk in the shoes of a parent who has a child with special needs you should probably keep your comments to yourself. The wait staff at Lorenzo's did exactly the right thing. You need to re-read the article. The family he refused to serve were regulars at the restaurant, too.
We are not mistaken, this IS a positive story for everyone but the family that complained. Restaurants are public places, that's a news flash, isn't it. If you need a controlled environment, stay home. The reason that we're all siding with the child, his family and Laurenzo's is because we still live in a civilized society, or as long as we make it so.
Very well said Eric ... :)
The article states that the family who was refused service were regulars as well. And that they could have been moved for any reason they requested, e.g. too close to kitchen or restrooms, lighting, anything. But they made a point to insult a special needs child. In front of their own child(ren).
The family who asked to move were the regulars, NOT just the family with the child. Those people are simply ignorant.
The family that made this outrageously rude comment were also regulars, read it again. You are in the same category as they are & I doubt very seriously Laurenzos loses business.. Most people STAND UP for kids!!
The family that made this outrageously rude comment were also regulars, read it again. You are in the same category as they are & I doubt very seriously Laurenzos loses business.. Most people STAND UP for kids!!
...and you, sir or madam, are as bigotted and rude as the family who were refused service...since when is the presence of a well behaved special needs child sufficient for that kind of outrageous behavior??? I can only pray you never have a special needs child because he or she will obviously not receive the loving treatment he or she deserves. Shame on you.
...and you, sir or madam, are as bigotted and rude as the family who were refused service...since when is the presence of a well behaved special needs child sufficient for that kind of outrageous behavior??? I can only pray you never have a special needs child because he or she will obviously not receive the loving treatment he or she deserves. Shame on you.
We get emotionals because we are parents, and honestly I would hate to hear a comment like that, we are all human. I will go to this restaurant. We already pass that time where kids with disabilities were confined in institution, and it hurts people ignorance. Those are the one that should stay at home.
i think you missed the point so im going to say it slower for you of course they had a right to sit elsewhere but to slam a special needs child was uncalled for they could have used 1 of 100s of reasons no need to mention the child this family should be thankfull someone like me wasnt within hearing range because i love beating on bullys
Apparently you need to re-read the article...the family that was not seated were also regulars. Would it have been acceptable if this family had refused to be seated beside a black family and suggested that they should be sent back to Africa? There is nothing at all wrong with asking to move your seat if the restaurant is not overly crowded, but you cannot insult those sitting close to you. It is completely unacceptable to refuse sit somewhere because you are a prejudiced idiot!
I think you need to read the story thoroughly first. The family that left were also regulars to Laurenzo's. So this wasn't about being biased towards regulars at all. It was about moral compassion and principles. And companies do need repeat customers to stay in business, because it means they did a wonderful job. That's what will bring new customers. So you need to learn to read and then learn about business. But first you need to acquire a moral compass.
TO: SERVERSWEREBIASED=obviously you are not HUMAN!!! I will pray for your soul. GOD BLESS to MILO & MICHAEL!!!
Yes people have a right to dine and have a pleasant experience but the key word is people When a human degrade, insults and verbally hurt
another human the title of People/person id taken away and animal it more their class. That vicious comment that they made was said for someone to be heard most likely the patents of the child. If they said "children should be" instead of Special Needs" then it would have been a rude comment by tagging out that one child was a
personal attack and should have been treated as bullying and treated as such remarks like what those adults made are reasons why bullying is so common among the young and also people like you how justify it.
When in your eyes did insulting another human become ok???? You should go back to that point in your life and look deep into the approval you received from it and right the wrong before you raise a Bully with your morals
To all that replied to my comment (you must all be servers and waitstaff) with hateful remarks and name calling... Self control over your emotions is what many of you seem to need.
Since I know many of you are foaming at the mouth and cannot handle some civil discourse, please feel free to keep name calling, while you are furiously typing in the hate, I am laughing at your comments to me.
One more time, three deap breaths, take the emotion out of it, and you would find that the servers were in the wrong, and that this was a simple problem that got handled childishly by biased servers. If you think that is was OK to handle it in that manner, you have never run a business. The customer is not always right as someone said, well, neither is the staff.
Anyone that called me names or implied other nasty things about me, tell me, do you still consider yourselves above the couple that complained about the child, or you just like the anonymity that the internet brings, and in person you are nowhere near that hateful?
And finally, just to poke a stick in your eyes, there is an old saying about arguing on the internet... "It is like running the special olympics, even if you win, you are still "special".
ServersWereBiased is clearly the ignorant person in question here. It seems pretty obvious he is the one who was at the restaurant that night. Now he's on this forum wanting to.. "oh boooo freaking hooo" about a waiter being bias. Sounds like if you don't want to go out in the REAL world and see people who are different from yourself then you should just STAY at home in your own rosey colored world.
Someone is trolling and should just be ignored.
it really is interesting how on many forums which discuss important issues you get a couple of trolls that specifically post ignorant and/or non-socially redeeming flames just to get somekind of vicarious thrill, i guess it's some kind of dark part of human nature - just like the family man (!) who insulted milo
Are you, sir not running in these special olympics with the rest of us?
You know, you're right - we're all just "emotional", and you are the agitator in the washing machine of life. Just putting stuff out there to start something. That tells me you are small-minded and don't have a life.
You are right ... You are not worth the time and energy replying to!! Although I just did ... But that was for my own satisfaction. Now I can sleep tonight!!
You are right on. This child would be the first to give the nasty man a smile & a hug. Down syndrome children are the most loving children I've ever been around. They want to please & they are almost always happy. They're world is beautiful & we should all be so lucky to see the world through their eyes.
I know its only January, but BEST WHINE AND DINE OF 2013!!!!!!
God Bless these waiters.Bless them for not serving these rude, disrespect customers and sending them on their way..
Never been to Laurenzo's (not my area of town) but that's going to change as soon as possible! Thanks for posting this--it's nice to read good news for a change!
As the sibling of an Aspy whose mom taught Spec. Ed. for 30 years, I will make it a point to go to this restaurant next time everyone comes visit. In fact, I may have to go over and shake this man's hand with a bill in it for him to take.
A'men!
This waiter should be complemented, compensated and praised for his options. As to the offended family, damn them to hell.
No shoes, no brains, no service!
How offensive can people be?? I think you handled it very well, and am proud of the waiters. I hope their managers backed them up in doing the right thing!
great news! while there is nothing more aggrevating than people who either do not know how or choose not to make their children behave in a restuarant, there is no excuse for someone reacting this way to a special needs child. way to go to both the waitstaff AND the owners!
Wow! All I can say is...wow!
If your Down Syndrom child was disruptive, excessively loud or screaming his head off then those guests would have had a good reason for moving their seats. They would not need to comment to the wait staff except to explain why they chose to be reseated.
I , once, was at a nice resturant and the family had an austistic child that was throwing his food, screaming at the top of his lungs and making my, otherwise evening, miserable. The parents sat and did nothing. Myself, would have removed the child so the other paying guests could finish their meal in peace. We finished our meal quickly, left the resturant and never returned.
So what you're saying is that you showed some class, took stock in everything you have in life, understood some others are not as fortunate, ate your meal without asking for anything to be discounted, and went about your blessed life, what a good human being you are...
It sounds like this place does nothing and kicks the paying customers out to get good publicity.
Aaahhhh. Bobby Joe....obviously the spouse of serverswerebiased or one of his alias'. There couldn't possibly be two people from different families that are this uncompassionate and neanderthal like. Sooo sad. You guys are the ones with special needs. The kid with down syndrome is just fine.
Aaahhhh. Bobby Joe....obviously the spouse of serverswerebiased or one of his alias'. There couldn't possibly be two people from different families that are this uncompassionate and neanderthal like. Sooo sad. You guys are the ones with special needs. The kid with down syndrome is just fine.
Beautiful. I wouldn't want those kind of people in the same building with me, much less at the next table.
If a restaurant doesn't want to serve a customer, they'll always find a reason.
I can't believe horrible people like this still exist. Laurenzo's you have a customer for life!!! ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING!
This story sounds like BS. No waiter has that kind of authority and more than likely would lose his job for making that kind of unilateral decision on his own. If this story is even partly true, the owner would have had to have been involved. And if he was, and he really refused service to these people, he took a terrible risk. You never know you might end up offending and what kind of power they might have. Yes it's a feel-good story. Yes we all want to believe that a waiter (or even an owner) told rude guests to take a hike. But it's totally unbelievable.
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Any server has the right to refuse service. If the management feels that the server is wrong, they can assign another server. But as a restaurant manager, I would fully back the server in this case.
i work for milo's mother who is a prominent houston business woman with many well connected contacts - this issue - people acting unbelievably insensitive to her son and other awesome kids like him is a major part of her life as a mom and a child and animal activitist - her family has many admirers who they inspire - it's not bs - it's their life ;)
@vt500ascott
I agree. I'm calling BS on this story as well.
so you two inbreds sisters or something
We're not talking about some fast food joint. In a quality restaurant the waitstaff is EXPECTED to make the dining experience enjoyable for good customers. Had things been handled differently they would be LOSING clientele rather than gaining it. Read the comments. You might learn something about people.
You do not have a clue what you are talking about. Even if the waiter did NOT (which he did) have the right to refuse service to this group of ignorant patrons in this establishment he had every right to stand up to bullies; yes they are bullies and chances are they may not have special needs children but ignorant ones, having been raised with this way of thinking. I will go to this resturant, I will ask to be served by this waiter and if that is NOT possible I will leave a huge tip in general as it is shared between them nonetheless. EVERY person in this place deserves to be commended. Risk or no risk.
Not true. A friend of mine refused to wait on a table when a male at it touched her bottom. A male took over the table, and she kept her job. They do have the right to refuse to serve someone.
Hey, so I'm Milo Castillo's eldest cousin and this story is not BS. It was simply a post on Facebook that went viral. Nothing meant to catch as much attention as it did. It is completely and totally legal & possible for a waiter to refuse service. The restaurant can not force a waiter to serve someone they do not want to serve just as you can't force ignorant people to keep their mouths closed. I would suggest doing your research before calling BS on something you know nothing about.
Great Kobe Beef Hotdog! good chili! :)
Welcome to my neighborhood.
I don't see the problem. Retarded children are often rude, disruptive, and very loud. None of these things are conducive to fine dining. If I wanted loud children with prime rib, I'd go to Quiznos.
My goodness. What a hateful post you made. To use the R word in todays world and to say that they are rude, loud and disruptive only shows your ignorance. Kids don't have to be special needs to be rude, loud and disruptive - all kids can be at any given time. In this case, the child was not being any of those things. The other family on the other hand was being mean and obviously intolerant of special needs anything. You are just as bad as that family. I certainly wouldn't want to be in the same room or restaurant as you. You are part of the reason the world is filled with so much hate today.
Syd, please talk to the parties involved - the restaurant, the waitstaff - to confirm the story as it was written for the nonbelievers. It did happen exactly as it was stated. I witnessed it.
I respectfully disagree with you, RightWingDino. However, I'll flatter your ignorance and steriotypical assumptions for a moment. Assuming the child was in fact being disruptive, a simple request to be moved would have sufficed. A request, might I add, not uncommon as a result to ANY child (or adult), with or without Down syndrome, being disruptive. However, this particular request was made in such an ignorant manner that, simply put...was/is NOT conducive to the standards of Laurenzo's...or Quizno's for that matter.
That's a horrible generalization you brainless twit. I suppose in the same logic I could call you an imbelcile, ignorant, child hating, low life, republican wingnut mouth breather but I won't since my Mom raised me right.
You are right that there are disruptive children in restruants but to say that and not witnessing the actual event shows you are a hateful person. Why not spend some time self auditing your perception of special needs kids? Volunteer to help a school, or try to get to know a family that deals with these issues? Noisy kids are the cause of two factors, parenting and/or if the kid is not his or her best self at the moment. I can tell you, from, guess what, personal observation, that this couple are fantastic parents.
Please change your mindset or do the world a favor and get sterile. We don't need any more hate filled progeny in the world.
"...imbelcile, ignorant, child hating, low life, republican wingnut mouth breather...."
Anyone who would start calling names and associate them to a difference of opinion in political ideology is as ignorant as the above, admittedly and obviously stupid (and the worst kind of scum) commenter.
Uncle...there are thousands of LIBERALS who post this hateful swill to demean people they hate..with little to no regard of facts
I think you need to read this....http://www.r-word.org/
First of all watch your lip. Second, you need to catch up with the rest of society. If you haven't noticed in our society, "normal " kids with ignoring parents, are way worse than "retarded" ones , as you so eloquently put it. Grow a vocabulary and some class!
Dino...am betting you ain't a conservative at all....you go around posting BS like this to defame people you have not a chance of knowing because of your sick prejudices
This coming from a person who made the brother/sister comment? What a hypocrite.
Right wing, I rarely comment on boards like this but you couldn't be further from the truth. My son is Special needs and is usually is the most well behaved child in the restaurant. Sounds like a comment Hitler would have had...
I can not believe you just said that. Please remember that we do not use this word anymore to describe anyone. I am a mother of 2 great little boys and one of them just happens to have Down Syndrome. We have faced this kind of discrimination in lines at movie theaters, grocery stores, and public parks. When people say mean things like this out loud, my "typical" son usually thinks this rude remark is directed toward him. When I try to explain that they were referring to his brother, his little lovey, he gets upset and then doubles his effort, and usually his decibel level, to make his brother feel all the love he has to give! I do have hope that future generations will learn to love each other, and realize we all want to be accepted.
Hooray for Laurenzo's and its staff. My condolences to the family that left, particularly their children, as it is clear that they are being taught prejudice and intolerance and are sure to grow up as horrible as their role models--or lack thereof.
Glad to see this happen' it's long overdue. Congratulations to Lorenzo's for backing their wait staff.
That is great. It's always so nice to find good people. My suggestion for people who are bothered by the general public is that they should either join a private club or hire a chef.
That's really sad that someone would say something that cruel. Sounds like they need a special place to eat, like their own kitchen table. Kudos to the waiter for speaking up.
Thank for advocating for those who can't advocate for themselves
Wish there was photos of the jerks! That's about as arrogant and offensive as anything I've heard lately. There should be a photo posted in the paper and on the internet so those people could be publicly shamed for such actions! Just who the h e l l do they think they are?
What would that serve? They are people with an opinion and the right to hold those opinions. You can deny them sevice and be upset that people my say such things but what would posting their images do? Why dont we just get a branding iron and brand them as meanies. Get over it. If, indeed, they said such things, the resturant did what they had a right to do and deny service to them...they left, problem solved. Sorry, you cant chastise and mariginalize everyone who says things you dont agree with. If this story is true, it was handled well, case closed. Maybe whoever in that family that said this learned something...but probably not.
K Mlls, your sanctimonious comment offends me. Send me a photo immediately so that you may be shamed in the public square.
You better get a really good lawyer to do that.
K Mlls, the prospect of you raising children is actually more frightening to me than that of the family in question who made the rude remark.
I couldn't believe this story when my husband first showed me I had to read 3 times !!!!!! I cannot believe that their are people that STILL THINK like this! It's sad,ignorant ,stupid . And it doesn't set a good example to there children, who will grow up and be JUST AS IGNORANT as they are. My husband are going to this restaurant request this waiter and give a really BIG TIP! and a HUG or a HANDSHAKE if he will accept it!
And we might even get lucky and Milo and his parents will be there , and we would love to share our table with you and your family!!!
Sincerely ,
Debbie & Bill Sorensen
Houston, Texas
Hope to see you all SOON
I just read the story again I'm embarrassed for the family that requested to be moved.... They missed out on maybe meeting a really wonderful family with a little boy named Milo, milo I hope I get the chance to meet you and your family, I may ask for another table yours to mine or mine to yours, that's my wish.
Milo hope to meet you and your family
Its great to hear people standing up for what's right!
Bravo!
How could anyone be so cruel to an innocent child? Especially people with children of their own? They should be ashamed of themselves! It disgusts me to think of the horrid example they are setting for their own kids! Kudos to the staff for telling them off!
Wohhhh, back the bus up. We can probably all agree the family was ignorant, and offensive to the server by asking to move becuase of Milo (we dont know what exactly they said), but they did not cross the line of being cruel to Milo. I certainly support the servers decision.
Back your own bus up - it's called an opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
Yeah everybody has an opinion but not an intelligent opinion.
Makes me want to drive to Houston for some prime rib. Bravo to Michael, Candace and Eric for serving real customers and not those thoughtless clods who "left the restaurant entirely." I hope all three are there when I arrive.
Kudos to the staff at Laurenzo's I will be sure to dine there next time I am in the area.
Bravo!
All God's children are a blessing! Thanks for parenting with style for Milo's sake.
The wait staff at Laurenzo's appear to have done a very laudable service in support of social acceptance. My only question is what was the explanation for the move request. If the child was noisy and disruptive, the reason is valid to be move to a more calm and quiet area. Why did they accuse the child of being "special needs? The story requires more factual reporting so that political correctness does not hide self righteous indignation. Respect for others is also an important social responsibility.
Down syndrome is categorized as "SPECIAL NEEDS". Almost all people with Down syndrome have physical characteristics that show they have Down syndrome. That's how they qualified Milo as "Special Needs". What more "factual reporting" do you need? They asked to be moved when they SAW Milo, assuming because his physical characteristics showed that he indeed did have Down syndrome, also assuming they are inexplicably ignorant. The mother stated that Milo is a calm child...just as my children, 2 with Down syndrome are also very calm...their disposition tends to be very complacent, unlike Autism. I think people need to get educated about the differences in disabilities before generalizing that ALL children with special needs are loud and misbehaved. Then the people couldn't leave it at just moving to another table, they decided to vocalize their ignorance by stating that Milo basically should not be out in public establishment "special needs kids should be kept in special needs places". HOW OFFENSIVE! This isn't Eastern Europe where they institutionalize children with Down syndrome and let them suffer, this isn't the 1960's where here in the U.S. did indeed institutionalize children with Down syndrome. It is the 21st century people, wake the hell up! These kids go to school, they work, they go to college and they get married. They do everything that we do, but with 1100% effort AT ALL TIMES. They love unconditionally and NEVER make judgements toward anyone. So again, what more factual reporting to you need. Looks pretty plain and simple to me.
"...their disposition tends to be very complacent, unlike Autism..." I agree with almost all of what you said except this point. It sounds like Milo's parents, as do you and I, make very good parenting choices and restaurants appreciate that. My son happens to have autism - I plan ahead for outings with him and he is almost always cooperative and complacent. I think one point of this article is that we shouldn't make assumptions based on any disability.
I'm only making a generalization comparing DS to another disability that is as common if not moreso. Realizing that generalizations are dangerous, but there seems to be a lot of "chatter" within this thread from those that have no clue or experience. My oldest daughter has Down syndrome and Autism, and my youngest daughter has just Down syndrome. I'm very aware of the different characteristics of both disabilities...I'm around it every day and not just with my own children, but my children go to a special needs school, all self contained classrooms with children of all disabilities, Autism and Down syndrome being the most common.
That is a first and all I can say is WHOOPEE. Being a 24 caret jerk sometimes has consequences. Several HUGE thumbs up. Ignorance being defeated in tiny little steps. But those little steps become huge strides when taken together.
AND, FOR SURE SPECIAL WHINING CLIENTS SHOULD BE ESCORTED OUT OF THE DOOR AS HAPPENED. HOW THE HECK DID THEY KNOW THAT MILO DIDN'T WANT TO EAT NEAR THEIR DISCRIMINATORY BEHINDS EITHER?
Hooray for that waiter and that restaurant, if those people who made the comment about special kids were so offended by just sitting next to them, then who don't THEY just keep their butts at home period and then they won't get offended. I live so distance away from this restaurant but now I will make the trip for a meal there.
What horrible people to say something so hateful.
Hooray for the waiter who supported that family! He showed that he had the style and class that the complaining family obviously lacks.
I hope the rude and crude family see these comments "in print" and realize they are ignorant bigots.
It sounds like the family with the special needs child dines there fairly often, and the waiters/waitresses know them pretty well. Since we only got one side of the story, it is hard to tell. IMO, perhaps this is why the server(s) overreacted to a simple complaint from another customer, albeit delivered with a bitter, poor choice of words.
Special needs kids can be very loud, difficult to control and abrasive to those with little patience. I would say that families with a special needs child have much, much more patience than almost any other family or adult.
So, was the child yelling, staring over the booth, kicking the back of the seating area or disturbing the other customers to the point they had every right to complain? Since the story is so one-sided we may never know.
Every single paying customer has the right to a pleasant dining experience, even if that means moving one party to another area of the restaurant. Why the offended party just didn't ask to be moved to another area, without the ugly comments, I don't understand.
This is a really, really simple problem, that when handled by real adults without all the emotional attachment, is solved in 3 minutes with no hard feelings. Sheesh, Laurenzos servers and The Chronicle, can you make a bigger deal out of it?
Mama Ninfa would be proud!
Nice one sided story...I find it hard to believe someone is bothered by the mere presence of this child, with no other things going on, but if that truly is the case GOOD for the waiter...
Kim I am so sorry you had experience that! How awful! Kudos to Laurenzo's and the waiter - how awesome! What are people thinking these days - they don't think before they speak and that's the problem. My cousin has a baby with Downs and she is on her way to Bulgaria right now to adopt a little girl who also has Downs!
Biggest tip EVER coming for you! Being a Dad of a little boy with Down syndrome, this is incredibly special and moving.
AllI can say is "WOW" ... I have not encountered anyone like that with my son, Angelo, but I hope I never do. You know it's sad that they wouldn't want to surround themselves by "Special People."
Syd, can you do some digging and see if there is more to this story?
I sure hope the SNOB family of 4 reads this., but Im sure they have their heads stuck so far up "Where the sun dont shine" that they wont. Kuddos to Lorenzos and the waiter !!!!
Having a six year old son with Down syndrome, I would like to thank all those that supported Milo and his family.
If more people took the time to get to know our kids, their lives would be filled with much more joy!
Amen Susan! Love ya Dear!
While I certainly disagree with the sentiments of the family who left, I finde the waiters response abhorrent. It is never ok to respond to rudeness by being rude yourself. It just lowers yourself to their level. The people were just expressing their views, and as long as they were not posing a threat to anyone, there was no reason for the waiter to treat his own customers that way. If it bothered him hat much he should have maybe told his supervisor or asked if some other server would like to work his table. I for one will never go to a restaurant where I or anyone else can be booted out for peacefully exercising our first amendment rights to free speech.
That isn't how the first amendment works. The first amendment protects one from the government infringing on speech - a private business absolutely has the right to deny service based on statements from ignorant customers.
I'm getting a kick out of all of the people here that have their knickers overly twisted into a bunch, especially Beanie. I LOL's at her post.
I agree with the people that believe that this story is BS and / or incomplete. If the kid was behaving himself I seriously doubt that there would have been a story. I suspect that this kid was yelling or somehow carrying on more than what the parents acknowledge in their e-mail and they were acting oblivious to their snowflake's tantrums.
The waiters apparently are friendly with the parents, so they backed them up and tossed out the other group despite the fact that the other group may have had a valid point. The waiters were all puffed up with their own do gooder egos and they probably got a great tip too. Everyone won except for the group that likely got tossed out unfairly.
I have found ignorant people making ignorant comments out loud do not tip very well either....
Yeah, don't be so quick to get your own underwear in a bunch either, of course unless you have children of your own with special needs. You wouldn't BELIEVE the kind of discrimination they go through on a daily basis...just because they look like they have DS...they don't have to act any specific way and they are discriminated against. And actually children and adults with DS tend to be very quiet and complacent. So I find it very hard to believe that Milo was "loud and disruptive". I have two with DS and I see and hear the RUDIST discrimination toward my girls and friends with children with DS very frequently. So don't defend the ignorance that you find hard to believe happened. I see it ALL THE TIME, unfortunately.
The story states quite clearly that the child was not being
"loud and Obnoxious". GuidoTheMan, you are a bigot and not only
that, you would do well to read a story before you go off "half
Cicked"! I would put you in the same class as the idiot who made the
original comment. Hitler would be proud of you Guido!
Well, there is a "special" place for people that make such rude and insensitive comments! Yay for the staff at Laurenzo's for not putting up with such hatred.
Some customers, who are not regulars, got railroaded out the door by a bunch of whiney, over-emotional servers who came to the defense of a family that are regulars, end of story.
After reading the update, it is obvious the servers were biased and had no business dictating restaurant policy, even if they had the authority to do so. They knew this family well (by the authors own admission in the update), and went completely overboard in their reaction because of the relationship with some restaurant regulars.
Of course the family with the child is going to downplay what happened as much as possible.
In business, you take the emotion out of it, always. Leave the emotions for the two sets of customers. You don't have to like what is said to you at work when you serve the public, but you are required to do your job without discrimination or bias.
And, where in the world was restaurant management during all of this?
You are what is wrong with any service industry currently, guess what , the customer is not always right, and sometimes they need a little lesson in social graces.....
Amen TexMex01
First, the people were jerks, no denying that, I don't disagree with that at all. All I am saying is that you take the emotion out of the situation and handle it in a professional manner, always. They were in a place of business and the situation should have been handled as such. Instead it was handled like a high-school clique handles people that they don't like.
Since the employee was the one who told the family with the child what the other customers said, which was completely unneccesary, you can throw the server(s) into the pile of people that need lessons in social graces.
The employees handled it poorly, at best.
Guess what, the employee(s) and business is not always right. There was a much, much better way to handle customers with two different agendas sitting next to each other.
Everybody has gotten your point that the server did not have to act as he did. But I think what you missed in some basic way was that the server got pissed because these people acted like douchebags. Which they probably are in other places as well. He made a choice to tell said d'bags that he was not going to serve them. If the family with the Down's child had been black and the annoyed family used the N-word, would that have been different? Should the server have reacted "professionally" in such an instance and simply re-seated them? Or should have tossed their ass out on the pavement? Oh, but you say, race is different. Hogwash. Bigotry is bigotry, whether it is spurred by race or intellectual disability. Their comment showed them for the obnoxious a-holes they are. (The Third Reich had "special places" for such individuals. Maybe that is what these people had in mind.) Tell you one thing: Had I heard them say such a thing about my child, I'd be in county jail that night for punching his lights out. This person deliberately pushed his bigotry onto others, of making a public point. You may have a right to say it. But you better expect consequences when you do.
Change "special needs" in the sentence uttered by the family who wasn't served to any other biased word and most would get the point.
Sadly, I think you'd still argue.
Troll much?
Wow! You sure want to take emotions out of everything! What a cold, hard person.Emotions are what makes us human. I guess from now on when we go to restaurants we should ask at the door to not be seated by drunks, or obnoxious people, or rude people who stare, or someone who's hair I don't like. If you don't want to eat around other people , stay home
A lot of strong feelings here from a second hand story about a third hand comment. I'd like to hear the other family's take on the situation.
Regardless, even as a one-sided piece it's great press for Laurenzo's. Almost to Manti Te'o levels.
This 5 y.o. has been going to Laurenzo's since he was born yet Laurenzo's opened in December of 2009.
I'm skeptical too, simply because the accused hasn't even been named, much less had a chance to defend himself.
But nobody claimed he's been going to Laurenzo's since he was born. Castillo said they've been taking him to restaurants since he was born.
Exactly. If they are regulars, maybe they saw the business was not doing well and came up with a scheme to get sympathy by saying an imaginary family came to the rescue of their Downs child. It's a far more plausible story. Just because someone said it doesn't mean it's true when there is 0 proof.
Well you're such a math whiz but you didn't learn how to read/comprehend. The article clearly states they have been taking him to restaurants since his was born.."restaurants" with no specific name of one. Genius!
even though i think the "family man" who insulted milo is very unfortunate as a father, i hope his identity does not come out - look what happened to the greece bullies - they had to go into hiding for a while
Congratulations to the Chronicle for linking this on their homepage as if it's a news story or something. I guess it beats running paid classified as "news," at least.
Last year I was riding a Metro Bus and a Mom and her child sat across the aisle from me. Mom looked like she had a bad day and she told me her little boy had ADD. The kid was restless and everyone was frowning. I dated a lady who had two special needs kids who were awesome and smart. So I took out my smartphone and put cartoons on the Youtube channel which quickly got the kid's attention and he got quiet.
I would have fired that waiter.
A person has the right to go to a restaurant and NOT be annoyed by kids whether they have special needs or not.
Does the story mention if this kid was one of those special needs kids who are always loud and throwing things? My cousin was that way. I loved him to death but not even I enjoyed going out to eat with him.
More than likely this kid was a disturbance.
Do I think he should have to stay home? No.
Do I think other patrons have a right to eat undisturbed? Yes.
Many posters here seem to be under a couple of false impressions.
1. The First Amendment protects public speech. A restaurant is a private establishment, open to the public at the whim/will of ownership. They don't have to take walk-ins (although, it'd be stupid not to), they can require a reservation, dress code, membership fees, whatever they like. You exercise your First Amendment rights by choosing to whether or not to comply. Granted, your decision may exclude you from the services provided, but that is your choice, and your right. For example, you have every right not to wear a coat and tie, and they have every right to not seat you. Don't like it? Dine elsewhere. Them's the breaks.
2. You do not have the right to be unoffended. Let me explain: There is no guarantee, legal or otherwise, that you will have a pleasant, peaceful, calm, quiet meal, day, whatever. Doesn't matter how loud the other guy's radio is, or the language people use on the street, or whatever. Be offended. You have the right. You do not have the right to insist that people bend their behavior to avoid offending others. Is that fair? Completely. I'm appalled at some of the comments here. That is my right. Can I do anything about it? Other than not reading the comments, no. It is not my right to infringe on the personal choices of others unless they are a.) on property that I own or am a legal conservator of, in which case I can ask them to leave, or have them removed by law enforcement if they refuse, or b.) in an establishment of which I am the owner/manager/security staff, in which case I can refuse them service and/or ask them to leave, and may also have them removed by law enforcement if they refuse.
You are not free to act the fool. That right is not guaranteed anywhere, by anyone, ever.
Let me further clarify that I say "bend the behavior of others" I am speaking only on behavior that is not prohibited by law. You are within your rights to place any other person under Citizen's Arrest if they break the law in your presence and you personally witness same. I am not referring to instances where behavior, language, manner of dress or anything else relating to a law abiding citizen's word or deed is in or of questionable taste. "The Right To Be Free From Public Annoyance" isn't in the Constitution.
A person has the right to go to a restaurant and NOT be annoyed by kids whether they have special needs or not
A person does not have that right...as long as noone touches him he is in public and must deal with public.
Every paying customer has the right to a peaceful, quiet meal. They had every right to ask to be moved to a different table if Milo was disturbing them.
They aren't jerks for doing that.
IF, and that's a big IF, they REALLY said what they waiter said they did (and the waiter wasn't just sucking up in order to build up his tip)...THAT would make them jerks..but even JERKS have rights, too.
But I have a hard time that in this day and age, esp as litigious society tends to be, that someone would.
Believe even less that a waiter would sass a customer the way he says he did. THAT is harder for me to believe than someone making a comment like those patrons supposedly did.
Laurenzo's is a fine dining establishment and as such, its waiters are experienced and well versed in meeting the needs of it's clientele regardless of the request or level of curt demand. So WHY WOULD a waiter take offense at a customers request, to the point of refusing service?
Because it was absurd, offensive and unnecessary, that's why. Instead of condoning and entertaining it, he refused to serve them. He didn't eject them from the establishment, he just refused to work their table himself. The couple could have remained and requested another server, they didn't. They could have escalated their complaint to the management, they didn't. Surely had the child in fact been overly loud or disruptive, the family requesting a move would have simply brought that to someone attention? But instead they left, essentially hanging their heads in shame and standing behind their needless unnecessary comment.
The only relevant side in this story is Milo's and his right to access and acceptance in spite of his genetic disposition. And the only wrong doing is on the part of the family who couldn't see past their own ignorant stereotypes and better vocalize their desire for a quiet evening out.
Learn how to behave, or stay home.
lol so you just take them at their word without any proof of the existence of the other party and what they said? Do you have a girlfriend in Hawaii? You just made anything you said invalid.
The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is at Stewart Beach tomorrow morning at 10 am...I've registered and will be there...Get $60 for entry and go show your support for special needs kids, the proceeds go towards funding their events year round...the event is named Polar Plunge "Freezin for a Reason"...
http://sotx.convio.net/site/TR/TorchRun/General?sid=1064&type=fr_informa...
The child is 5 yrs old has been going to Laurenzo's since he was born? Laurenzos opened in December 2009.
The update text above only mentions restaurants in general, not Laurenzo's specifically. Maybe there's other statements that create the timeframe question but I don't see it here.
I've reached out to the Laurenzo family and hope to have some comment soon.
Ask them if he has a girlfriend in Hawaii.
Good for Laurenzo's. Proud of them for standing up for this little boy. I can guarantee this will net them more business- myself included.
On another note- I went their for lunch about a month ago, dropped my glass on the table and it shattered, cutting me. Totally my fault, but the waitstaff and manager were over in a heartbeat, got band-aids and made sure I was okay. I was impressed at how much they seem to care about me, not just about the cleaning up the mess.
I will make a point to try and dine at Laurenzo's. Its a little out of my price range, but I'll save up. I want to business with businesses like this.
Hope they went somewhere else, choked on their food, and needed resuscitation!
As a paramedic w/ a son who has Down syndrome, I would have loved to have been there myself and seen it.
Don't you find it odd that nobody else in a big restaurant saw this except for the waiter and a friend of the restaurant? Not even a little curious that this might have not happened at all?
Not at all, the comment was made in passing, not yelled for all to hear outside of the waiter and party who said it....
To all those that find this story hard to believe, do you have children of your own with disabilities??? If you don't and are making the comment that this story is BS, then you are clueless and your opinion is dead wrong. I have two children with Down syndrome. And MANY friends with children with Down syndrome. Did you know that people with Down syndrome specifically are the people to be most discriminated against than any race, sexual orientation, religious group and other disabilities??? They are discriminated and abused monetarily, sexually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and discriminated regularly by people just like in this story. It happens EVERY SINGLE DAY. The reason you don't hear about it is because the general population doesn't give about kids like mine. And secondly most mothers and fathers are too darn busy taking care of their children to get on forums to complain about the mistreatment of their children. We're too busy fighting schools and taking our kids to countless doctors to keep them healthy and alive!! I can walk into a restaurant with my two girls, 6 years old and 4 years old, the most beautiful children, loving, kind girls you would ever see. They DO NOT misbehave, and they get the stare down by ignorant people all the time! Even in a large play ground, I have seen other mothers talk about my children as if we were in high school and they were the nerds of the school. It's disgraceful! So stop with the "this story is BS" because it happens every single day. And as a mother to two gorgeous girls, that are pure perfection, THANK YOU to the waiter and this restaurant for doing the right thing. If only everyone would, this would be a better place for people that are considered outcasts.
No problem with them asking to be moved, but the comment was uncalled for. Loud shrill noise will trigger a migraine with me, so I have had to ask for another spot on occasion when seated near screaming children. I don't make a big deal out of it and neither has any server. I do note that in the clarification, the writer said that the adults were "3X louder" than the child. How many adults? 3? 5? More? If the scenario started with a table full of people encouraging a child, special needs or not, to try and be heard over them, it may have looked like the beginning of a long noisy time. And was it really necessary for the server to repeat the comment to the family? I'm assuming that he was asked why the family left and could have said, "Oh, they thought it was too cold/hot/dark/etc." I hope he didn't come over bragging about his good deed for the day.
Milo looks like such a sweet little kid. Only a miserable excuse for a human could direct such nastiness towards him. Special needs kids are very special and I'd rather be around them than "normal" people any day.
I have never dined at Laurenzo's but will be headed there on our next evening out. I love prime rib and I now love Laurenzo's. Thank you for defending those who need it most. Special needs families seek and deserve as much of a "normal life" as they can have and I'll happily dine next to a special needs family anytime.
As the grandmother of a severely disabled child, I applaud the waiter and the restaurant. These special needs children will never know nor experience the everyday pleasures and joys that most people take for granted. All I can say to those of you who are so arrogant and shallow that you cannot think beyond yourselves,the world does not revolve around you; and someday you, too, might be faced with the challenges and heartbreak that families of special needs children deal with on a daily basis. All this family wanted was a night out with their child. My granddaughter cannot stand or sit, smile, or even swallow or blink. However, on the rare occassion when she gets to go to a restaurnat or any other public place, although she is in her special chair, she gets so excited and is delighted just to be out among other people. These kids deserve every opportunity they can get to lead a "normal" life. I can tell you that although this restaurant is nowhere near us, and we have not been there before, we will definitely be going there soon.
I don't have a hard time believing that some people are still stuck in their own little world and think that they are better than everyone else. I see it more often that I like...but to do what those people did was SO WRONG! It is a good thing that I was not present when that happened, because I would have definitely told them what they could do with their request!
I hope Milo continues his journey through life with love and doesn't let the nay-sayers bother him because they certainly are not worth the trouble and they are the ones that usually need 'help'.
As for the staff at Laurenzo's, I salute you ALL. I am sure you will all continue to stand up for the special needs people, as you have all shown the respect that EVERYONE deserves.
I actually feel sorry for the people who directed whatever issues they were having in their life towards that wonderful child. I suspect that they have/had some very sad issues going on that they were so disconnected from their fellow human beings. I hope that they are seeing this outpouring of support for the child and are having a serious reflection on their own "special" issues.
I think a lot of folks posting missed the writer's more subtle point. The mother is saying in her follow up that, even if her child was acting disruptive, it was discriminatory of the other restaurtant patrons to make a snide public comment that associated the child's behavior with his disability.
I applaud the restaurant and to anyone who would defend this action of the patron, republican or not (I am an American, humanitarian, Republican) is beyond my depth of understanding. Tact is everything and the best disguise for people so socially and morally inept. I wish you the best in your life, because you are truly the handicapped.
How is it so may of you are missing the part where the family that was refused service was ALSO A REGULAR PARTY?
"...the family he refused to serve were regulars at the restaurant."
I waited tables at multiple finer dining establishments and steakhouses. I'm not overselling the job, but at that level, yes - the waiter does typically have a lot of control/authority over the parties and their experience. First and foremost the right to refuse service to anyone. The family should feel fortunate they were asked to leave, the stories are true: waiters WILL get you one way or the other if you've offended, disrespected, or otherwise maligned them.
This just makes me wish that I still lived in Houston and could go to Laurenzo's and overtip the waitstaff. The whining family was more than welcome to ask for a different table and the restaurant accommodated that request. And as a childless couple, we would generally prefer not to sit next to families with children. That has nothing to do with whether or not said children are special needs kids. But to announce that special needs kids should be relegated to a special place and not out in public with others is beyond the pale. Nice example those parents are setting for their children. My guess is that their kids are precisely the ones that create an unpleasant dining experience for other diners in a restaurant because they believe their family is beyond perfect. Wow, are they ever wrong.
We are also regulars at Laurenzo's and I can say that it has some of best wait staff in the city. The food is great too. Best clam chowder in town.
I am proud of Michael the waiter for standing up for his principles. As the mother of a special needs child myself, our family is accustomed to long stares and thoughtless comments but rarely do people ever behave the like the family in this story did. What a shame. If only they could know how truly rewarding it is to know our children and their sweet spirits. I have never been to Laurenzo's but plan to visit soon and hopefully Michael will be there to shake his hand.
Kim, I do believe that is the sweetest face I've evcer seen!
Congrats, Michael - and Laurenzo's! We are so proud of you and feel honored to 'know' you! We frequent Laurenzo's and we very lucky to have Michael assist our family and friends on New Year's Eve. We love the food, love the service and truly - we had the best New Year's Eve in years. We will continue to be loyal patrons!
Mr. Garcia's attitude and character will carry him far in life. Doing what he knew was right, no matter the personal consequences, is true demonstration of integrity and fine character. His parents raised a fine man.
We were at Laurenzos on Wednesday night, our first visit. I believe we saw the family of four. Man was wearing a cowboy hat. Five minutes later I glanced in their direction again and that family was gone. I thought that odd and wondered "where did they go?" Well, now I know. We NEVER heard any disruptive behavior from ANYONE in that restaurant. Can't say that I would dine at Laurenzos again but it wouldn't be because of bad behavior on the part of anyone.
The Waiter is a Hero. We need way more Heroes and far less Trolls...
My fellow adults!!
You're all amazing!
The Waiter is a Hero. Some of these Trolls need to learn compassion...
I have to call BS on this story and it sounds like a cheap publicity stunt like that Notre Dame player's girlfriend. Maybe the restaurant was struggling so they're trying to play at the heartstrings of people who are overly emotional.
Let's assume that some of this story is true and nobody is imaginary.
Do we know what the kid was doing to draw attention to himself? I know everybody thinks their child is precious but "special" or not "special", kids are annoying and ruin the dining experience of others. Maybe that's ok at IHOP but when people are shelling out $50 a plate with drinks, they have every right to move to another table.
I for one don't plan on going to this place - especially after reading the comments by readers who claim they're going to take their brats, err kids there too.
I think this little publicity stunt is going to backfire.
Let's repost the facts again since you have chosen to ignore them. Kim posted a small note about this on her facebook. Someone reached out to HER about it and wanted to know more and they took this "viral" as we like to call it. It was neither the family involved or the restaurant. I didn't even want to give this post a thought but I love this family and they deserve better than your obviously jaded self-consumed existence. You wrote this post only to point out what YOU would do, and clearly this isn't about YOU at all.
The wife and kids of the man who said the special needs quote must be tearing him a new one right about now if they didn't the night of the incident. This is the modern equivalent of being tarred and feathered. From the story it seems the man made the statement, maybe he was just having a bad day, frustrated, who knows, but nowhere do I see anything about the 'family' all taking shots at the kid. I'd suggest this get toned down before someone says "git a rope!". A lesson in going viral, not to mention to employ the golden rule at all times, lol.
Check out the health inspection report from just over a week ago: http://houston.tx.gegov.com/media/search.cfm
They had two violations plus many many more over the years. Their yelp reviews have also been slipping. It's entirely plausible this whole thing is a hoax, yet people who are overly emotional because a downs syndrome kid is involved. One thing we know for sure is that this family are friends with the restaurant. We also know nobody else has come forward and there aren't witnesses except for the restaurant and the family involved. Weird huh? Allegedly.
Question everything. EVERYTHING.
If not, then maybe you'll believe a story of a football player with a fake girlfriend.
I do question everything except this truth, you are a douche.....
1. The rude customers have also been identified as "regulars" by the article, so they would be just as familiar in the restaurant as the child's family.
2. There is no reason why there would be other witnesses, as there is no indication that this was broadcast to the whole restaurant. I don't listen or pay attention to the booth next to me when I go out, and I wouldn't have any idea if someone were asked to leave for making a bigoted comment. As the article CLEARLY stated, the child was NOT being disruptive or overly loud, so any bystanders would have no reason to notice any byplay between waitstaff and the customers.
3. I'm quite familiar with health department reviews, probably moreso than you are based on your assertions. Many reputable restaurants get far more tags than this facility, as do health care facilities. It is next to impossible to get a perfect review. The last facility I inspected had far more severe tags, and they remain in business and popular with their customers.
4. Reviews from online sources are rarely fully indicative of the restaurant's actual quality. On the Yelp site you referenced, there are 115 reviews that predate this article, dating back to 2010. That's roughly 38 reviews per year, or 3 reviews per month. Hardly representative of the number of actual clients stopping through. The reviews have also stayed relatively constant over the years, with the expected highs and lows. You also have to keep in mind that with any online review system, people with negative reviews tend to outnumber positive ones (this is basic human nature, we are less likely to rush out and review a positive experience, but rather are more inclined to tell the world about a bad experience, either to be helpful to others or to seek vengeance for supposed wrongs). The fact that this restaurant has so many good reviews is certainly telling.
Please remember that there is a difference between "question everything" and "manufacture and skew evidence and facts to support your personal conspiracy theory."
the castillo family and kim in particular are known far and wide in many houston business and other venues as being the real deal - good honest peeps with LOTS of friends - the only bull is messing with milo - then you get the horns!!
If this is true, good for the restaurant! I've asked not to be seated near small children, or requested a booth over a chair (back was bad) or a table away from smoking (asthma). Most eateries are very gracious about such requests. I can understand if the family didn't want to be seated next to people who had an unruly child, or were unbearably loud. However this doesn't seem to be the case. It sounds like they took one look at Milo and decided to say something rude. I'd munch with Milo over bigots like that any day!
Special needs kids should be kept in special places--the hearts and presence of those who love them.
Love love love it!.I get the tables with kids quite often! (Give that one to Tina, she's a mom of 4 lol). I have had the opportunity at OG to develop some great bonds with kids with special needs. :) I would SOOOO do the same thing even if it meant getting fired! I would however reply back to the rude people "Really? They also have special barns for special jackass**es like you!" <3<3
Hats off to this establishment for fighting discrimination. As a parent of a severly disabled teenager i applaud my employer who accepts disabled children openly in his cafe and in fact embraces them.
The days of people being locked in institutions are well over, this moron needs to accept that.
Curious as to why the use of the word 'Retarded' invokes so much angst?
It literally means- slow. It conveys information. You know that a person who is retarded may not process information at the rate other, non-retarded people do. You can adjust accordingly.
The PC term- Special Needs conveys nothing in the way of information. Aren't all kids special? If not how do you identify the ones who arent special, so you can tell them that they arent special?
And finally, if I am one of these slow people do I care if someone calls me a 'retard' vs 'special needs'?
If you can find a legitimate everyday conversation where this word has actually been used to only convey clinical information then good luck. Everyone and their monkey knows this is a derogatory term used to ridicule and mock. To pretend otherwise makes you ... um ... can't think of the word ... it's right there ... nope, lost it.
UNOBTR, Read this and then still say that using the "R" word is ok, and if you still find it ok, then you have no soul. http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2010/08/people-who-are.html
I know this is a few days old but.. if I could trade you a memory. Just one. So that you could be an 18 year old who adores her little sister, this amazing kid who is the kindest, most accepting, most creative person she knows.
This 12 year old little girl who's gone from happy-go-lucky to nearly silent since she started Jr. High. So that you can know what it feels like to have this beautiful little girl ask you in a whisper with tears in her eyes, "Am I retarded?"
And then you can tell me if it hurts them. Or if it hurts their families. Thank god that day made her stronger, and she's 16 with more conviction and confidence than I'll ever have.