As I was flying into VA to have Thanksgiving Dinner with my family, I had a lay-over in Atlanta. I approached the D terminal Chili’s Bar and Grill, as I sat down and ATTEMPTED to order a drink, the bartender and manager advised me that they DO NOT serve anyone in MILITARY uniform, they said the only way for me to get a drink was for me to take off my uniform top.
I ask you, is that right??? For them to make me de-uniform myself just to have a drink?? I didn’t grow up during the Vietnam Era… but for a restaurant to refuse service to someone that is in uniform and trying to get home for Thanksgiving… is that right??? Morally and legally?
I have never felt more betrayed in my life. I can understand refusing service to someone that is drunk and making an ASS of themselves, but to refuse service to a military officer trying to get home to have dinner with his family. What say you?? The entire bar attempted to walk out until I took my top off and they served me, as soon as I got my drink I put my top back on and finished with pride. I am currently boycotting Chili’s, and ask that you patriotic types do the same.
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I’m with you brother. Those of you fighting for Chili’s very right to refuse you service. I want to know if this is a Chili’s policy or if it is just that particular rester aunt. But believe me my email is on the way to Chili’s corporate headquarters and I will boycott them until they have issued an apology to you all our military. There is no room for this behavior in my country.
We also need to find a way to get this information out to the masses.
Please all who read this disburse this information to all you know!
mark on November 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 am | Link
What kind of business would refuse service to our sons and daughters serving in the U.S. Military, especially because they are in uniform ? I think this is appaling and disgraceful. Chili’s unpatriotic behavior should be known to every U.S. citizen out there.
BOYCOTT CHILI’S !!!!!! What they have done is disgraceful.
sue on November 23rd, 2007 at 10:55 am | Link
i’m guessing that you had the misfortune of encountering a chump that needs to be fired by chili’s and that if you were to inform corporate of this incident that that would be the result. i can’t believe that this is a chili’s policy, but if so, they just lost my business. unbelievable.
You are allowed to drink in Uniform, but not allowed to be drunk in Uniform.
Discrimination in my opinion, but Im not sure if it is illegal. They very well may be able to refuse service to anyone, regardless how tasteless, tacky, or inappropriate it might be.
uhhh guys, this story is a fake.
It’s at least 2 years old and the restaraunt changes every time someone else gets upset and wants to start some troulbe.
lollercaust on November 26th, 2007 at 11:47 am | Link
Could you explain then why they now have a vacancy for a management position at that exact restaurant?
This actually happened and is not a fake. If you don’t know what you are talking about then keep your opinion to yourself.
sue on November 26th, 2007 at 6:16 pm | Link
Well if it is in fact real, why not post the news story related to it? If it really did happen, some local media would have picked it up. Which restaurant did it happen at, so someone could call and verify that the manager was fired because of this?
It’s a nice story, but its likely not true, since this type of thing has been circulating for years. It’s bad that it is published here, and as a regurgitated piece of trash rumor, its libel towards Chili’s from whomever the person is that posted it. The real story would be if an exec at chili’s found this, and decided to take the person to court for spreading lies.
That of course WOULD be legal.
WTFM8 on November 28th, 2007 at 9:11 pm | Link
wheather it is true or not? What news story? If this did happen there may not be a new story. Does everyone who is wronged go to the media? As well would the liberal media acutaly report on this if it were brought to them Not likely. Now if it were Michael Moore who were refused service you can bet it would be all over the front page!!
mark on November 29th, 2007 at 10:20 am | Link
The service at Chilli’s - Newark Airport was very bad. Waited for an hour to just order the food. The waitresses were ignoring people waiting to order. When the waitress were called, they kept ignoring. It was shocking to see such a bad treatment. I went to one of the waitresses and asked them for the manager and she rudely said “Don’t know” and ignored . Finally, the manager walked in and I told him about the waitress and the bad service and left the place. Very dissapointed with the service. Please avoid going there if you would like good service and food.
Jina S on December 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 am | Link
Are you sure you are fighting for Chili’s right to refuse you a drink? last time I checked, al qada and chili’s were two different things. If you are in iraq, you are not over there keeping anyone in the US safe. WAKE UP brother. You are there to protect the OIL. Next time you are at Chili’s, relax and take off you uniform. who cares.
Harry Sacks on March 5th, 2008 at 1:31 am | Link
A soldier cannot drink while in uniform during duty hours. I know this for a fact considering I was a soldier and my husband still is. why then were you trying to get a drink anywhere while traveling in uniform. If this story is true first off shame on Chili’s if this is discrimination but also shame on you for trying to violate UCMJ policy about drinking in uniform.
Rebecca on December 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm | Link
I attended a job interview at a new location in Linthicum Md. that is opening soon.I have 25 years as a Bar Manager and I am 56 years old
When the interviewer ask me to be a server and I stated that I would.Then he said, I think you would not be happy with that position and that I would continue seeking other jobs.Then he said he had no
question that I would be a excellent Bartender. Then I said to him since you said I would be a excellent Bartender it must be my age for the
reason you will not hire me for that position!That is discrimination!
Wilma Mathias on September 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm | Link
im sorry your wrong
when you are in uniform you are a representative of the Armed forces.
This is your work uniform I’m almost sure. There are orders in the UCMJ that say no working and drinking. So if you are in uniform you should not drink especially in front of civilians. Try professionalism.
rob on September 20th, 2009 at 7:20 pm | Link
DON’T GET UPSET WITH CHILI’S FOR SOMETHING BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE UNITED STATES ARMED SERVICES!
Get upset with them for the poor nutritional content of their food,
if anything-the highest sodium content of any nationwide restaurant.
Plus you’re not serving us, the American people in the Armed Forces-
you’re serving corporations, but that’s another story.
Kent Schauffler on September 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am | Link
Uhh Dude… Look up AR 670-1 chapter 3.3… Chili’s is just covering you back. I am a ex Army sergeant, and if I would have see you, I would have chewed you out. I often do it when I see young privates in uniform drinking. Hell I even bitched out a major for the very same thing. However I don’t think that guy was really in the army. I quoted things that someone of that high of rank should know, and he had no idea of what I was talking about. That’s right! There are now people who fake being in the military in order to get free drinks. These guys will get a uniform from the local Army Surplus store and go out in it knowing “patriotic” people will offer to buy them a drink. And when I catch those I grab a few of my fellow ex military buddies and kick the ever loving **** out of them.
JRemy on October 2nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm | Link
i work at chili’s and that rule isn’t true so either you are mistaken, they are dicks, or you are lying.
amanda kirk on October 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm | Link
Amanda -
0r…. It is a management decision that is left up to that particular Chili’s. In most cases especially when restaurants are around a post/base, (VA is full of them, and also personal experience) they tend to refuse alcohol if you are in uniform. Unless they are eating a meal of course Most managers in that case are aware of military regulation (army’s) AR 670 chapter 3 section 3. Basicly in a questionable round about sort of way, it states that he shouldn’t be in his duty uniform consuming alcohol. And if you want a little entertaining info on the subject, here is my post about it: http://thejremydeaton.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/support-your-troops/ . BTW… I was in the Army and I am very aware of all the rules.
JRemy on October 21st, 2009 at 1:17 pm | Link
i live in canada and i dont have any thing good to say about chilis as a former employee i am horrified at the low quality food mechanicly separated chicken and microwaved vegtaables as for the service its just plain sub par
greg on December 11th, 2009 at 10:40 am | Link
I personally wouldn’t consider Chili’s an “Alcohol Centered Establishment” so I don’t see the problem with him ordering a drink at the bar. Not that it’s Chili’s responsibility to enforce Army regulations or anything in the first place.
I’m just wondering why you were wearing your uniform on a commercial flight just to see your family for thanksgiving. That’s not within regulations so my question is…why were you wearing your uniform in the first place?
I’m a Vet also.
Josh from Ft. Drum on April 7th, 2010 at 4:52 am | Link
Yesertday coming back from Reno, NV we stop at chilils in Folsom, CA, where the Folsom Out lets are located. Had a hamburger & fries, On the way home my stomach felt diffrent, I was up all night very sick, Thought you should know something there is not right. Last year a friend and I visited a Chilis in Lodi, CA. The soup and salad that I like and hers was awful, soup was to so salty, they offer us another bowl we declined, the kichen was dirty food on floor on walls. I don’t care how busy you are there is no accuse. Diana Brown,
Diana Brown on May 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am | Link
I know now exactly what you mean. I recently returned home and am currently working active in the gaurd. My wife as usual was using a military discount at the restaraunt mind you I am full time. Instead of being declined like a professional this asshole threw her ID at her and told her that spouses don’t do anything and her card would not be honored. Mostly because he does not realise thar spouses do not get cac cards. Instead of asking this prick made a fuss started yelling at her, while onlooking employees stood shocked. The adress to this location was in Vegas off fort apache don’t do not let fellow service members eat there.
SSG Laduca on June 7th, 2010 at 9:34 pm | Link
Chili’s Too locations (airport locations) are franchised. For starters, I can tell you that franchised locations aren’t subject to as many rules as corporate locations are (most are corporately-owned). Second of all, it is at the discretion of anyone serving you alcohol whether you can be served or not. Bottom line. Managers have to go through a certification process before they can work in a restaurant serving alcohol. If they say you can’t be served, you can’t be served. Most of the time, the manager is using wise judgment so that they won’t become liable for your rather careless behavior (as it sounds). Another misconception with a business like such is that corporate executives will fire anyone who makes judgments like such. Wrong! To be fired for such a (dare I say it) minor reason would be absolutely ridiculous. Stop dwelling on the past and move on with your life. Trust me, they moved on with their lives the minute you left the restaurant.
Don G on July 12th, 2010 at 9:31 pm | Link