If someone has a condition which requires special foods [or the omission of special foods], eating is their responsibility. We used to go out with a couple, one of whom had allergies and celiac disease. She would study the menu, maybe ask questions, and ask them to serve her specific things. She always tipped well. She didn't make a big deal out of it. She dealt with it like a grownup, which is what the complainers in this situation should also do.
Good for the restaurant owner for specifying exactly what drove him to the "mini-strike" - we don't call out people enough on behaving badly these days.

Well, I have a different take on the situation. I absolutely insist that all restaurants where I dine have Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water. On several occasions I have been invited to dinners where it was not served. You can simply imagine my horror. I really think it should be illegal not to serve it, and restaurant owners like this guy should either be forced to serve it or not licensed to do business. I find it abhorrent that I cannot force my personal preferences on those with whom I do business.

Spoiled, demanding, rude adults who can't take no for answer. The business owner OWES them what they want. Good for him for posting signs. Someone should ship him a copy of Atlas Shrugged.

I would take an alternative approach. If these snotty hipsters want everything so "natural", hand them a live chicken, a pairing knife, and a bucket of boiling water. I call that MSG free, gluten free, organic, free-range, FUN!

Well, this is right up my alley... Lol. I could write a book on how people "tried" to get out of paying. I don't miss it at all. You have no idea how many people who are allergic to seafood eat at a seafood restaurant. One lady wanted me to make everyone leave the deck (45 seats inside a closed in glass room) so she wouldn't be around crabs. I informed her that she came into a CRAB house and kindly showed her the front door. It's HIS business, why is that so hard to understand.

Oh hell... I've been following this and didn't realize (until now) the joint is in San Francisco.

(1) I'm not surprised that the self-entitled snivelers are raising a stink. After all, living in the home of one of the greatest communo-socialist leaders since Mao himself, they *know* they have a right to be coddled, pampered, and catered to their every bizarre and unusual whim. Part of the reason we shrugged the Bay Area with no plan on returning. And then, people wonder WHY we wouldn't want to live in this socialist paradise...

(2) Next time I'm in the city (yes, sadly, I do have to go there from time to time) I think I'll stop in for a bite... and shake his hand!

I used to go out to eat with a couple and the wife was so picky, and not afraid speak up and she did in the most rude way. Notice I said used to go out to eat with. :)

I want to see all of the posters in this on a stand up comedy stage. You all are hilarious! Keep it going.

I completely agree with him in my business I too have told potential customers to go elsewhere since I could not give them what they wanted. I also know that if I couldn't no one else could. but I am still in business as I am sure he will be.

Another group of idiots that believe their 'entitlements' come first. Don't like it, move on! Whenever we had a group and one of us needed something special, like others have posted, they talked to the waiter and chef if necessary and poof! Problem solved, everyone happy. No whining, no pansy-assed little girl tantrums.

In my mind the story is that people are so upset by all this, on both sides, that it even makes the news. Who cares? The guy has every right to serve what he wants and the customers can spend their money elsewhere.

In California you might have fewer customers if you serve MSG and ignore the whole gluten-free issue. So what? I friggin love MSG and try to have at least one meal a week that's heavily loaded with the stuff.

I try to only eat things that have a face...

Way To Go Mister Chu!

and what is an "SO Restaurant?" -- j

Anyone who was in, or is in retailing can tell you similar stories, of customers who are either unreasonable, or just plain moochers. In my case, I had a camera shop, and would take back a product for a refund if it was still new in the original box within a reasonable length of time. However, during the summer, when Michiganders mostly went on vacation, we would have an outbreak of people buying a camera and using it on vacation and then trying to return it for a refund. Usually easy to tell because of the sand still in the camera. In those good old days, if the customer used a credit card, the credit card company would stand the loss if the customer was an insisting mooch. I don't know if that's still the case. To summarize: every day in every way, when dealing with the public, one will get all sorts; from the folks you love to have walk into your place of business, to the moochers and scammers.I admire this restaurant owner's courage, because nobody, not even the customer, is always right.

I prefer Paula Dean's restaurant. If it tastes good, then serve it!