California café uses Judge Judy's 'steak philosophy' to clap back at customers refusing to pay

We are so bent on customer service and staff behavior that we forget that customers need ethics, too. As a shopper, diner, traveler, or whatever, there needs to be some decorum on what is accepted. The staff at the Hen and Drake Modern Tearoom were being taken for a ride because they were focused on customer service. Sharing on Instagram Threads, it was revealed how two entitled customers were indirectly duping them after enjoying the service. Not standing for their lack of ethics, the owners ingeniously pulled a Judge Judy on them by recalling one of her famous cases. On December 6, the owners posted to let their supporters know they had won their case against the two scammers.

The staff explained that they were serving two elderly women, nearly in their 80s. They had already made reservations at the tearoom and were well aware of the service and pricing. When they arrived on the day, they went all out. “That day, I worked solo so I was the chef, the server, the dishwasher etc.” the post revealed. The duo enjoyed their time, stayed for nearly two hours, and even took boxes to go. Nothing so far indicates that they were having a bad time. It was only a day later that the staff member revealed an email from the customers about the service and items not being good enough. 

“She sent me an email that it wasn’t worth it and she could’ve fed her family for that amount,” the post mentioned. The tearoom soon received a chargeback order. The customers went to great lengths to get their money back. They even started posting negative reviews on their socials to trick prospects. But the staff was not having it. They decided to act with proof. “I submitted the date she made the reservation, the copy of the receipt, photos of their arrival and departure time in the tearoom and the email she sent a day later,” the post read. 

The result was just like the verdict given by Judge Judy over a rental case a while ago. In a clip shared, it was revealed that the man had a problem with the rental but continued to stay throughout the contract. After the period ended, he wanted his deposit back. Judge Judy was not having it. After listening to both sides, she ordered that the man give the deposit and rent to the person due. “You’re not getting the rent you paid because you ate the steak. You went to the restaurant, and you were served the steak. You didn’t like it, but you ate the steak anyway,” the judge noted. 

She explained that despite having issues with the rental area, the man proceeded to stay there and live the whole time. He should have moved out if he had problems, but he stayed the entire time and used everything. So he had to pay the rent. Same with the tearoom case. The women claimed not to enjoy it but stayed at the tearoom, ate, and spent a good 2 hours being served. The bank was on the staff’s side and ensured they got their money. The employees noted that it’s not about the amount but the etiquette and fairness that workers deserve.

“Sometimes we eat out and it’s not quite what we expected, but that doesn’t mean you get to eat for free,” she said. Several business owners applauded their approach. @sonya5496 said, "'You can’t eat the steak and then not pay for it.’ Congratulations on your win!! She’s too old to be playing those games.” @lanotthecity added, “I’m an interior designer and know several industry friends who only accept checks for this reason. It sucks that it is so easy to make a chargeback, and potentially terrifying.” @carol.elizondo1 remarked, “When my daughter worked in a restaurant, there were people who knew would come in and keep complaining and complaining until everything was comped.” @pnwhal65 noted, “It’s the principle. Maybe they won’t try to cheat the next business.” 

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