Business ProfileforLa Palapa Grill & Cantina

Unfortunately, I have to give them a 1. I wish it could be lower. This was my second time going to this spot. The food was pretty good and the service was great. Unfortunatley, things took a turn for the worse. While eating I noticed the manager, Steve, was going around to the tables and asking how everyone was doing and how the food was. My bff and I were talking so I didn't think much more about it. We were there for quite some time but not longer than others that were outside. Finally the manager, Steve, comes over and asks us how everything was. I excitedly said it was very good and then the unthinkable happens. He shares we were at this table for over x hours and there are people waiting for an outside table and could be do him a 'favor' and move to a table inside. I quickly asked, thinking of the table of 4 people seated at an 8 top (2 tables put together) that was there before I arrived, if this goes for everyone. He quickly stated it does. We quickly obliged and got up to leave but something just wasn't sitting right. First he didn't go over to the other table and ask them to move inside and in looking around we were the ONLY African American group in the entire restaurant. There was another woman and another man each at a table with others. I thought it was important for me to share my perspective with him and how we took his request because there are always more than one way of looking at things. When we spoke with him to share how we perceived things he quickly started interrupting and dismissing what we had to say. Additionally while we were talking he wasn't even looking at us. I shared that I felt some kind of way because he came up to the ONLY African American table and asked us to move. He also stated that he didn't even look around and notice we were the only ones. Now this may be true but if we are bringing that to his attention, that would have been a great opportunity for him to empathize or share that he totally missed that. Instead he dismissed us and shared he could give us the GM's number. Throughout this whole conversation, the table sat empty. We then find out that there were in fact 2 tables of people waiting. Which is even more concerning. Why not ask the white gentlemen who were there longer than us and taking 60 minute smoke breaks to leave and go inside so both parties could be seated once they split the tables up? Why pick the ONLY African American group of 2 ladies that will only free up 1 table when you need 2. Also, we waited to see if he asked anyone else to move tables and he didn't. His actions and dismissiveness confirmed what I thought couldn't possibly be happening. I've never been asked to move tables because I've been sitting too long in my 48 years on this planet, this is a first. I also checked the menus and signs on the door because I know because of COVID-19 restaurants are imposing time limits, there was nothing. If that's the policy, apply it to everyone, not just the one African American group. I will not be going back to this place and if you are African American I advise you not to as well. This left a very bad taste in my mouth. My money is green just like everyone else. I'll spend it where I am treated like everyone else and appreciated as a customer. Also, when I stay longer at a table I tip extra to compensate the servers........until today. This was embarrassing for him to come over to only us. Bad move Steve!!! Oh, and all of this happened 30 minutes prior to closing.