Readers React: Think your favorite restaurant is racist? Here’s a test.

To the editor: Kudos to Christina Fletes for pointing out in her op-ed article what I’ve noticed for years: New and hip restaurants are one of the last bastions of blatant racism in our city. (“From the back of the bus to the back of the house,” Opinion, Feb. 1)

Don’t believe me? Perform this simple test:

When you walk into a new restaurant downtown or on the Westside, note the skin color of the greeter who walks you to the table, and note the skin color of your waiter. Then note the skin color of the individual busing your table and look around and do the same for nearby tables. Finally, walk back to the restroom and note the skin color of the kitchen staff. In my experience, 80% of the time it’s white greeter, white waiter, Latino busboy, Latino kitchen.

What to do about this? Never go back to that restaurant.

My husband and I have found ourselves returning to old-school restaurants, where the front of the house reflects the diversity of our city. Those restaurants apparently appreciate the ability of their staff regardless of skin color or accent.

Denis Cagna, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Fletes touched upon a familiar scenario in my life. I have applied to many restaurants for floor positions only to be turned down despite years of experience in the food service field.

Also, when my wife (who is white) and I (a mix of African American and Lebanese) go out to eat, we are almost invariably steered to the back of the restaurant, never to a window seat. We always demand a better seat and get it.

In January, we went to a restaurant in Glendale and it happened again, despite the dining room being nearly empty. We rejected the booth and the host promptly reseated us in the middle of the restaurant.

I am sure this happens to other people of color, but it is rarely pointed out to the public.

Gary D. Jackson, Los Angeles

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