Customers at Corralito Steak House in El Paso, Texas, were shocked by a sign blaming “government handouts” for the restaurant’s staffing shortage and asking diners to be patient with employees.
The message also urged customers to tip the workers who had come in, but many felt its wording was insulting, dismissive, and unnecessarily political.
Photos of the sign spread widely online, prompting criticism from people who argued it unfairly blamed workers and pandemic-era government assistance programs.
The controversy grew after reports indicated the restaurant had received roughly $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds during the pandemic, adding further debate over the sign’s message and tone