The Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf has been making headlines for years because of a controversial sign that has been up for years.
On Monterey’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf, the Old Fisherman’s Grotto has a reputation for making national headlines and stirring controversy. They persistently drew negative attention to the business with a banner they put up for years. Owner Chris Shake appeared to be holding firm after his ‘anti-kid’ sign not only continued to be seen but also once again drew the ire of a new group of angry mothers.
On Monterey’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf, the Old Fisherman’s Grotto has a reputation for making national headlines and stirring controversy. They persistently drew negative attention to the business with a banner they put up for years. Owner Chris Shake appeared to be holding firm after his ‘anti-kid’ sign not only continued to be seen but also once again drew the ire of a new group of angry mothers.
While it’s common for restaurants to have rules and post them, Chris Shake’s demands on his customers can be remarkable. Strollers, high chairs, and booster seats will not be available. The sign outside the Old Fisherman’s Grotto makes it clear that children who scream or make a lot of noise disturb other diners and are not allowed in the dining room.
Teresa Colombani commented that she found this ridiculous. She expressed her anger at the offensive sign, saying that children should know how to behave in restaurants and that if you don’t take them there, they won’t know how to behave and shouldn’t be pushed around. Restaurants should be able to accommodate children.
Kelly Lozano shared her thoughts on the sign, saying that if she didn’t want to deal with that kind of attitude, she probably wouldn’t have gone there. He’s shocked because it’s a family vacation spot where people bring their kids.
Another customer claims she was denied a high chair for her 6-month-old baby. She noted that she was completely shocked because she had never thought of that. They normally take care, or at least give the baby a high chair, but it looked like they didn’t want any kids. They rejected them because they thought the baby was incapable of making noise.
After she and her husband wanted to spend their anniversary at the Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Pittsburg resident Angela Espinoza recently voiced her displeasure with the facility’s policy on a Facebook group for Bay Area parents.
It was not a problem for her to have her child with her as the couple intended to spend the weekend away from their child. The seafood fanatic says she was put off by the restaurant’s approach to children. She said the warning is insensitive to every smaller child who needs a booster seat. He also thinks the wording is to blame because it’s completely impolite. “Adults only” might be a better choice.
Espinoza’s claims of “discrimination” are completely false. The owner had a lawyer review the wording of the sign to make sure it wasn’t discriminatory. Chris Shake responded to the claim that the restaurant is unsuitable for children by saying that parents are free to choose another establishment. He made it clear that if a place has rules, those are the rules. You can either enter and follow the rules or find a better place for yourself.
Shake says the restaurant has gained widespread acclaim for its laid-back atmosphere, and that the strategy has undoubtedly benefited the business. He explained that they regularly host large groups of families for lunch and all the young people are well behaved and aware of their rules regarding other visitors. They found that the customers who complain about their policy on Yelp are individuals who have not yet eaten but are outraged by the sign and procedure.
Others agree with Shak and go to the restaurant specifically for a meeting without noisy children. On Yelp, Alondra J. of San Francisco voiced her support for the rule banning strollers, booster seats, and high chairs. That’s why she entered this restaurant. Just the thought of being able to eat in peace without her children yelling at her was comforting. People shouldn’t be so outraged by it. The children were there when they ate.
According to Oakland Yelp user Robin M., people ate at the restaurant with their kids, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Another waitress then told them to shut up because other people were complaining about their kids. He had never before been advised to keep his children calm. In her review, she said that when he addressed this to the waiter, she told him that there was a sign outside that said it was restricted to children. They don’t seem to be kidding. She wasn’t just unrepentant—she was downright nasty about the whole thing.
Is the restaurant not suitable for children, or is it more designed to be a relaxing experience for adults? Do children have to be present in every establishment? Why is it disrespectful for a restaurant to offer a space where adults can do the same? As parents, we want to enjoy trips without children.
There are many places you can take your kids, but fewer places can guarantee and provide a peaceful, kid-free experience. If that’s what you’re looking for, head to the Old Fisherman’s Grotto. If you want your kids to be as loud as they want, find another restaurant. I think it’s really simple.
The decision of whether or not to dine at the Old Fisherman’s Grotto should ultimately be left up to individual families. If parents are looking for a family restaurant where their kids can run around and make noise, then this is probably not the place for them. However, if they’re looking for a quiet, adult-oriented dining experience, then Old Fisherman’s Grotto may be just what they’re looking for.
No matter how you stand on the issue, it’s clear that the Old Fisherman’s Grotto will continue to be a controversial topic for years to come. Some will continue to argue that the restaurant is discriminatory against families with young children, while others will argue that it is their right to create a space that caters to a different demographic. In the end, it depends on individual families where they want to eat and whether Stará rybárská jeskyně is the right choice for them.