Red Rooster Market LLC

I am writing in regard to the Feb. 3 article about the Red Rooster in Bristol Tennessee. This restaurant may seem very family friendly, but it is not that at all. My 18-month-old son and I met my sister-in-law there one day for lunch a few months back. My sister-in-law loved the restaurant and what it had to offer. I had eaten there once and it was good.



But I knew that there was not too much on the menu to offer my son, so I stopped at McDonald’s and got him a Happy Meal, not ever thinking that this would cause a problem. When we entered the restaurant, a young gentleman was working the register and he told me that I could not bring in outside food. I proceeded to explain that it was my son’s food and he told me that it was still not allowed. I was so in shock that I did not argue and turned around and left.



The Red Rooster lost a $25 sale over a $2.95 Happy Meal. If Mrs. [Linda] Metcalfe [the restaurant’s co-owner] used to be a stay-at-home mother, you would have thought that she would understand a picky eater who doesn’t like to try new and different things. I am also a stay-at-home-mother of two. My family owns a local food chain and would never tell a paying customer to leave over a Happy Meal for an 18-month-old baby.



This restaurant can have any policy that they want but I will no longer patronize this establishment, nor will my family and friends. So parents should be warned: if you have a picky eater don’t eat at this Tri-Cities restaurant.



Tracy Feathers

Bristol, Tenn.





Editor’s note: We contacted Red Rooster management about this matter. They said the restaurant prohibits outside food as a matter of policy for economic reasons. A sign on the door clearly states the policy. The restaurant also has a children’s menu, which includes standard kid-friendly fare.





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Posted February 20, 2008 @ 11:18 AM by former patron

I'm so sorry to hear this about the Red Rooster. I have eaten there with friends many times. As the mother of two toddlers, I will not eat there again. I can't tell you how many times my husband and I have done this same thing at other restaurants. No one has ever said anything about it. This negative publicity will cost the restaurant much more in the long run than the profit they would have made from selling one kid's meal. Is is really worth it? Shame on you for not being kid-friendly.





Posted February 18, 2008 @ 09:29 AM by Sheila C

I have eaten lunch many times at Red Rooster and I've never seen a child's menu as part of the menu and I've never seen anything on the menu which even looked like something a child of 18 months would eat. I too will no longer patronize this business and have also warned all my friends of their unfriendly family policy.



Posted February 17, 2008 @ 12:27 AM by Elizabeth McElyea

Last summer My son and I was out riding on my motorcycle we stopped at red rooster to get something to take to the park to have supper there. My son walked in with me to order our food and he had a drink with him. We were treated in the same manor as this story states. Luckily the lady cooking told the guy it was ok since we were leaving with the food. But, I have not been back. I live 3 miles away and loved the food but dont like being treated like a criminal. He was very loud and rude.



Posted February 16, 2008 @ 08:15 AM by BEN

I totally agree. I can understand an adult doing this and the restaurant not allowing, but a child, this is absurd. Glad you warned us of this child unfriendly restaruant. It will surely cost this establishment business. I myself was thinking of checking it out before i saw this letter. NOT NOW. Your policy will cost you lots of business and with the economy in shambles that isnt what you want. CHILDREN BEWARE OF THIS PLACE> RUN AND DONT SHOW UP THERE. YOU WILL STARVE.