In the modern era of food influencers, where one short clip can make or break a restaurant, only serving good food and drinks isn’t enough.
As a restaurant or bar owner, you not only have to manage relationships with customers and social media creators. You also have to know how to stand your ground if controversy unfairly brings you an army of bad reviews.
Just recently, a Mexican restaurant called Tostadas, located in San Jose, California, had to deal with something similar.
It all started when a TikTok creator under the username @breeestaxx posted a video misrepresenting her experience while at Tostadas. That’s when the restaurant “clapped back,” sharing security camera footage that told a different story.
Snack company owner and influencer commentary creator Daadi (@daadisnacks) later retold the events in a video that got over 1.1 million views.
What Went Down At Tostadas?
“So an influencer threw a restaurant under the bus after claiming she was denied service,” Daadi begins. “Well, the restaurant posted the video evidence, so let’s take a closer look.”
Daadi says that in the restaurant’s video, they reposted @breeestaxx’s clip where she complains she couldn’t get an alcoholic beverage without providing ID.
He stitched the actual clip, where the influencer says, “They tried to ID both of us, and then I didn’t have my ID, so I had a picture of my ID.”
Daadi explains that, according to the laws in California, this is a requirement for businesses with a liquor license. Eventually, they were able to order a drink, possibly after her partner presented an ID.
Then the crux of the issue arrives. “She claims she was just getting the drink to record it and had no interest in sipping it,” Daadi says.
Back to @breeestaxx’s video, where she claims, “I’m literally recording everything, all our food, to post.”
The footage Tostadas provided, however, appears to contradict that. The influencer does film the dish in front of her, but then promptly reaches over to her partner’s side of the table, grabs the drink, and clearly takes a sip. She does this at least twice.
That’s when the restaurant takes action and starts taking the food and drinks away, refusing to serve them any longer. The clip shows the situation escalating, with @breeestaxx attempting to throw her food at them and even hurling a ketchup bottle across the restaurant, with other customers, including a child, nearby.
After the restaurant shared its version of events, @breeestaxx appears to have deactivated her account.
“Shout out to the restaurant owner for standing up for himself and his business,” Daadi concludes. “And if you live near a Tostadas, please go support them.”
What Are The Laws Of Serving Alcohol In California?
According to a guide by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), bars aren’t legally required to serve alcohol to anyone.
“A person does not have a legal ‘right’ to buy alcohol,” ABC writes, clarifying that bars have the right to deny service to anyone who doesn’t present a valid ID. The guide also advises bar owners to “ask for ID from anyone who appears youthful.”
This means that while checking IDs may not be required by law for every purchase, many restaurants enforce it as a policy just to make sure they’re not breaking laws. They have a legal right to do so.
Additionally, legal experts say that all businesses in California, regardless of their nature, may deny service if a customer violates policy, among other reasons. However, the business must be able to show that the refusal was not based on discrimination related to their race, religion, language, or other protected features.
Commenters Side With Tostadas
In the comments section under Daadi’s video, commenters show their support for the restaurant.
“I tried to pay for my food with a picture of some cash, and they wouldn’t take it!!” joked one viewer. “I swear these freaking restaurants are so ridiculous.”
“Bartender here. A picture of your ID gets you a picture of your drink of choice,” wrote another.
“You have had to show your ID to buy an alcoholic drink for DECADES,” exclaimed a third. “Not a picture of your ID, not a birthday card from your 22nd birthday, whatever. Why do these influencers act like it’s their first day on earth?”
@daadisnacks support @Tostadas #influencer
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BroBible has reached out to @daadisnacks and Tostadas via TikTok messages and to @breeestaxx via Instagram messages for official comment.