No Kids Allowed
Bring Kids, No Service: Houston restaurant bans children at night
Like ceviche? Have a 6-year-old? One Houston restaurant says at dinner time the two don't mix.
Mexican seafood restaurant La Fisheria announced on its Facebook page that it would no longer permit children under 8 in its dining room after 7 p.m. The now-closed Vida Tex-Mex had a similar policy. It went out of business, but that wasn't because it alienated parents. According to reviews, the restaurant's food was terrible.
Dave & Busters has a similar policy for when the arcade takes on a more adult-oriented, sports bar vibe and mandates no more than six visitors under 18 for every adult 25 and over.
“We find children that are crying, some kids running under tables, and our customers don’t like,” La Fisheria chef/owner Aquiles Chavez told KHOU. “Seven o’clock is not a time for children, especially when we serve drinks and wine.” The restaurant is family-friendly before 7 and even offers a kid's menu.
Reaction to the decision has been overwhelmingly positive. Facebook user Kathy Culpepper Bridges wrote "Kudo's to you! I've never been to your restaurant but will now."
When Houstonia features editor Katharine Shilcutt asked her Twitter followers about the policy, she received a similar response. Scott Lynch, a father of two, wrote, "There are plenty of great restaurants in Houston that are kid-friendly. Having some that aren't is a plus, IMO."
Is this a case of a too broad policy, or is La Fisheria doing the right thing? Should parents be able to take their children anywhere they want, or should they respect that other people prefer not to be disturbed? Should children under eight be out that late? Sound off in the comments.