West Warwick restaurant frustrated after customers lash out at staff when asked to follow governor’s rules

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) – Customers lashing out a employees or at each other when it comes to following rules to keep people safe, has become an unfortunate trend during the pandemic.

Gel’s Kitchen in West Warwick requires patrons to make a reservation to dine in at their restaurant. You give your name and telephone number for contact tracing.

The owner told ABC 6 News that rude customers have not been complying and in some cases taking out their frustrations on staff.

Last week, a customer refused to give his information saying it was his “constitutional right.”

The owners says her employees, who were shaken up by the whole thing were just trying to do their job.

Angelica Penta, Owner – Gel’s Kitchen said, “I can’t afford to get shut down again, just like many other people can’t. We are still very fortunate to be able to still be open, so if the only thing we’re asking for is your name and number, I don’t understand what the big deal is.”

Penta added, “If you don’t want to give out your contact information, then order take out or pick up curbside, don’t come in and sit down and eat. Especially the fact that you’re taking it out on the staff. The staff has nothing to do with it, they’re following the rules and doing their job.”

Gel’s Kitchen is not the only place in the state that has had to deal with unruly customers, last week Brickley’s Ice Cream in Wakefield officially closed for the season. This all came after an argument between customers almost turned violent.

Just before that, Two Little Fish, a restaurant in Westerly switched to take-out only after consistent issues with rude and difficult customers.