Chicago Restaurant Owner Calls Out Dine-and-Dash Group After $300 Theft Caught on Camera
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A group of women are facing backlash after being caught on camera allegedly walking out of a Black-owned Chicago restaurant without paying a $300 tab, then later bragging about it on social media.
According to surveillance footage shared online, the women dined at the establishment, finished their meals, and then casually left without settling the bill. In an unusual twist, the group later posted on Instagram, tagging the restaurant and writing, “Thanks for the free food.”
The viral video, which circulated across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), shows the group laughing and collecting their belongings before exiting. The restaurant owner, shocked by the incident, has since filed a report and shared images from the security footage in an effort to identify the suspects.
Suspect Responds Online, Defending the Dine-and-Dash
After being identified by online users, one of the women involved defended her actions in a series of posts that drew even more outrage.
“If you take too long with my bill when it’s time to leave, I’m leaving your place of business,” she wrote. “Call me broke all you want. I’m not waiting longer than 10 minutes for my bill.”
In a follow-up post, she doubled down:
“Y’all really think I care about a dine and dash? I’ll do it again. Don’t take forever when it’s time to pay. Anybody who got something negative to say, go pay it or stay quiet.”
The post sparked immediate criticism from social media users and restaurant owners alike — particularly after it was revealed that the woman herself owns a small restaurant business that sells tacos, making the situation even more controversial.
Restaurant Owner Speaks Out
The restaurant, which is locally owned and operated by a Black entrepreneur, described the theft as both financially damaging and personally disappointing.
“This isn’t about money — it’s about respect,” the owner said in a statement shared online. “We’re a small business trying to survive. To see someone do this, especially another local owner, hurts deeply.”
Adding insult to injury, the group had reportedly filled out a reservation form using their real contact information, making it easier for the business to identify them after reviewing records.
Public Backlash and Legal Action Considered
The incident has become a trending topic in Chicago’s restaurant community, with many calling for charges of theft of services — a misdemeanor that can carry fines or even jail time.
Other restaurant owners have rallied behind the victimized business, emphasizing how dine-and-dash incidents have increased in recent years and often leave small establishments footing the loss.
As of Monday morning, no arrests have been confirmed, but the restaurant’s management says they are cooperating with local authorities and exploring civil action options.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
