A popular Los Angeles eatery faces mounting backlash following explosive allegations that staff systematically segregated Asian customers into a separate seating area.
The controversy erupted when influencer Cassidy Cho visited Great White in Melrose, California, on Sept. 27.
During her meal, Cho observed what she described as a disturbing pattern in the restaurant’s seating arrangements.
Cho documented her experience in a TikTok video that quickly gained widespread attention.
The footage showed multiple Asian patrons seated exclusively in one corner of the establishment.
In the video, Cho noted that the main dining area appeared to be occupied entirely by white customers.
She pointed out that all guests who appeared to be of Asian descent were confined to a secluded section of the restaurant.
The influencer expressed her concerns directly in the video.
She questioned whether the seating arrangement was intentional or merely coincidental.
To test her theory, Cho waited to see where staff would seat the next arriving party.
When another Asian customer entered, they were directed to the same corner area, seemingly confirming her suspicions.
The video showed Cho panning her camera to capture the newly arrived guest.
This moment appeared to validate her initial observation about the restaurant’s seating practices.
After leaving the restaurant, Cho shared her thoughts on the potential motivation behind the alleged seating policy.
She suggested the restaurant might be placing Asian customers in less visible areas because staff felt embarrassed by their presence.
Her statement reflected a deep concern about potential discrimination at the establishment and the accusation struck a nerve with viewers who had experienced similar treatment at various establishments.
Great White, which originated in Australia, has strongly rejected the accusations.
The owners characterized the claims as baseless speculation that has significantly disrupted their operations.
The restaurant’s management expressed frustration with how quickly the allegations spread across social media platforms.
They described the impact on their business as substantial and damaging.
The viral video prompted numerous other customers to come forward with similar experiences.
Several people commented that they had also been seated in the same corner section during their visits.
One commenter revealed that she and her Korean boyfriend were placed in the corner during both of their visits to the establishment.
She acknowledged that Cho might have identified a genuine pattern.
The Daily Mail reported that another individual who identified as a person of color stated they visited the restaurant once and would not return due to this specific issue.
A third commenter noted that she and her boyfriend, who are Indian and Chinese respectively, had only ever been seated in that same area.
People began questioning whether they had experienced similar treatment at other establishments without recognizing it.
The complaints extended beyond TikTok’s comment section.
Similar allegations appeared in Google restaurant reviews and on Instagram, suggesting a broader pattern of customer dissatisfaction.
The cross-platform nature of the complaints made it difficult for the restaurant to contain the controversy as each new account seemed to reinforce the allegations made in the original video.
Multiple commenters also highlighted what they perceived as irony in the restaurant’s name.
The Daily Mail explained that Great White is a species of shark commonly found in Australian waters, which the establishment uses as its namesake.
Some social media users suggested the name itself was revealing and critics implied the name carried racial connotations given the context of the allegations.
The discussion about the restaurant’s name became a separate thread of controversy.
People debated whether the name choice was innocent or indicative of underlying attitudes.
Several comments suggested that the name was particularly appropriate given the circumstances.
One user expressed mock surprise at the allegations given the establishment’s name.
Another commenter pointed out the name as if it explained everything about the situation.
The restaurant’s owners, Sam Cooper and Sam Trude, addressed both the segregation claims and the commentary about their business name.
They stated that Great White is named after a shark and has no connection to race.
Cooper and Trude issued a forceful denial of the allegations.
They called any suggestion that customers or employees were mistreated based on ethnicity completely false and “outrageous.”
The owners emphasized that all people are welcome at their establishment.
They rejected the notion that seating arrangements were influenced by customers’ ethnic backgrounds.
Their statement attempted to set the record straight on multiple fronts.
The owners appeared frustrated that their business name had become part of the controversy.
Great White Cafe maintains a significant social media presence with nearly 71,000 Instagram followers, per Daily Mail reporting.
The cafe’s Instagram logo features a shark illustration, reinforcing the owners’ explanation of the name’s origin.
The visual branding supports the owners’ claim that the name refers to the marine animal.
The logo has been consistent since the restaurant’s inception.
The restaurant chain operates multiple locations throughout the Los Angeles area, including Venice, Larchmont, Melrose and Brentwood.
The menu offers diverse cuisine ranging from chicken kebabs to ceviche and steak frites, though prices are not displayed.
