Parents Got Kicked Out Of Mass. Pizza Shop! What Was The Children’s Fault?

A Massachusetts pizza shop is making headlines after its owner took a stand against disruptive behavior, asking a family to leave due to their lack of respect for the staff and other guests. Dragon Pizza in Somerville, known for its family-friendly environment and nearby game room, addressed the incident on social media, which has sparked a mix of reactions from its customers.

The Incident: When Behavior Crossed the Line

On Friday, March 14, Dragon Pizza was serving up its usual fare when a family of patrons allegedly began acting disruptively. According to the restaurant’s Instagram post, the group was “disrespecting” the staff and disturbing other diners, prompting the decision to ask them to leave.

In a follow-up post on Saturday, March 15, the restaurant clarified their actions, saying, “Sadly, we had to demand a group of negligent parents Friday to take their families home because they were disrespecting our dining room, other guests, and our team.” The restaurant made it clear that their establishment is welcoming to families, but there are certain expectations of behavior, particularly when it comes to respecting the dining experience for everyone present.

Dragon Pizza’s Family-Friendly Philosophy

Dragon Pizza prides itself on being a family-oriented restaurant. The pizzeria even features a game-room hangout called Dragon’s Lair, designed for guests of all ages. However, the restaurant emphasized that it’s not a place for unsupervised children to run wild. They explained, “Our restaurant, or any restaurant, is not a place for unsupervised children to play. It is here to share dining experiences.”

The owner, Charlie Redd, made it clear that this was an isolated incident. In his post, he listed six “thoughts” to guide future patrons, including a reminder that while they love children, they don’t appreciate parents treating the restaurant as a “cheap, simple option to feed their children.” The post also highlighted that the restaurant had never before had to ask a family to leave.

“We refuse to allow entitled, lazy parents to damage our reputation and the overall dining experience for all our guests,” the post concluded, showing just how strongly they felt about maintaining a respectful environment for everyone.

Mixed Reactions From Customers

The post has sparked a range of reactions from Dragon Pizza’s customers and the online community. Some commenters voiced strong support, saying, “We feel this so much,” agreeing with the restaurant’s stance on creating a respectful dining experience. However, not everyone was on board. One person commented, “You had me until #6. Why can’t parents give their kids pizza as a cheap, easy option?” This comment reflects some of the differing opinions about whether it’s acceptable to use a restaurant like Dragon Pizza for quick, inexpensive meals for children.

In an interview with Boston.com, Redd, who is a father himself, explained that he wants all guests, including those with children, to feel comfortable. “It’s part of my philosophy of hospitality,” he said. “We’ve been very successful here at Dragon accommodating groups with kids.”

The Parents Were Not the Problem

Redd clarified that the children themselves weren’t the issue. Instead, it was the parents’ behavior. The restaurant had asked the parents multiple times to keep an eye on their kids, but they failed to comply. “Kids belong in restaurants. It’s a lot of fun,” Redd said. “The fault lies where the parents had to be spoken to multiple times and were ignoring our requests and our instructions to watch their kids.”

This clarification has been an important aspect of the conversation, showing that the restaurant isn’t against children or families but is against neglectful parenting that disrupts the experience for everyone else.

Redd’s History of Making Headlines

This isn’t the first time Dragon Pizza’s owner has made headlines. In 2023, Charlie Redd reportedly had a viral confrontation with Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, during one of Portnoy’s “One Bite Pizza Reviews” video series. The exchange was widely discussed, adding to Redd’s reputation for speaking his mind when it comes to the restaurant’s values.

Conclusion: A Stand for Respect and Enjoyable Dining

Dragon Pizza’s decision to ask a disruptive family to leave wasn’t about rejecting families with children. Instead, it was about maintaining an environment where all patrons can enjoy their meals without distractions or disrespect. The post has ignited debate about how restaurants should handle unruly guests, especially families with young children, and whether it’s fair to ask certain groups to leave if their behavior disrupts the dining experience.

Regardless of the mixed reactions, one thing is clear: Dragon Pizza values the experience of all their guests, and they are willing to take a stand to ensure that everyone can enjoy their time at the restaurant.