Woman says she was ‘racially profiled’ after allegedly being denied entry at Texas restaurant over dress code violations: ‘I am disgusted’
They were allegedly told to leave.
A visit to a restaurant turned into an accusation of racial discrimination after a woman and her friend were allegedly refused entry due to their outfits. The incident was shared by Sydney Monet (@sydneymonett) on TikTok, who claimed that white guests wore similar outfits, yet weren’t barred from dining at the establishment.
“I’ve never been treated like this before in my life,” Monet said in her video, with the on-screen text saying, “Racially Profiled and DENIED ENTRY @ JOEY Maple Soft opening.” According to Monet, she and her friend visited the newly opened JOEY Maple in Dallas, Texas, after making a reservation for their soft opening. But when they arrived, they were allegedly not accommodated due to “the nature of our outfits.”
“I am disgusted, JOEY Maple. Disgusted,” Monet said. She later claimed that the staff at the establishment were “extremely rude” and “extremely unprofessional,” and that it was a “very targeted experience,” as they were allegedly the only Black people who were not seated during the dinner service and were asked to leave.
Allegedly, white guests could dine despite similar outfits
Monet said other guests, whom she described as having the “same exact” clothing style as them, were supposedly allowed to sit down for their reservation because they were white people. “I am livid. I am pissed,” Monet said. Such an incident isn’t an isolated experience, as one Black woman claimed a restaurant barred her from taking photos, while a group of women was allowed to do so.
Monet claimed that the experience left her feeling frustrated, considering that she had been dining at JOEY Maple for a long time across its locations in the country. “JOEY’s, I am a long-time restaurateur and attendee of JOEY’s all across the country,” the TikToker said. “And I have never been treated like this before in my life.”
Monet also showed her and her friend’s outfits that supposedly got them denied. In the video, Monet wore a black tank top, white tailored shorts, and heeled flip-flops. Her friend wore a white crop top blouse, denim mini skirt, and gold heels. She did not show what the other guests wore, but claimed a guest had also worn a black tank top and white shorts.
Viewers were divided in the comments section. Some sympathized with Monet’s frustration, saying, “This new Dallas scene really does not like black people smh.” Another viewer alleged a discrepancy in how staff behaved across their locations. “mind you the north park location sooooo chill. they so weird ..,” a viewer wrote. One believed Monet should escalate the issue and said, “File complaint with corporate. We gonna boycott. Dallas is so racist.”
JOEY Maple has a dress code
Others, however, believed Monet was in the wrong. A viewer who claimed to be a Black employee at JOEY Maple pointed out the restaurant chain’s policy. “Hi there. im a sous chef at Joey maple and i happen to be black. The Dress code is does not permit what you are wearing its on the website. There is no racial profiling at all,” a viewer said.
According to JOEY Maple’s website, the restaurant chains adhere to a certain standard for guests’ attire. To dine at their establishments, guests are required to be in smart casual attire. Certain clothing, such as beachwear, athletic wear, and styles that are overly revealing, is not allowed. It is also stated that restaurant hosts and management can refuse to provide service to guests if they are deemed inappropriately dressed.
With JOEY Maple’s attire standards announced publicly, it’s difficult to determine whether racial profiling was at play, as Monet claimed, or if staff were simply doing their jobs by adhering to policies.
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