Former security guard alleges history of racial profiling at popular Memphis steakhouse
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Aug 26 2022— A security guard said he witnessed a pattern of racial profiling while he worked as a contracted employee at Houston’s Restaurant in Memphis.
“They would come in and they would tell them that they’re booked and they wouldn’t be able to get a seat for the next four or five hours. Sometimes they would say they were booked for the whole day and then you would see white people come in and they would take them on in,” said the security guard, who wished to remain anonymous.
The security guard said he worked at the location for at least two years.
“And then I would see the manager tell people to ‘just come in behind me …don’t say anything … just walk to the table with me. Don’t say anything. Just act normal like you have reservations.’ He would let white people come sit down, but he wouldn’t let black people come in,” he adds.
The security guard said he eventually asked his employer to reassign him to a different business.
FOX13 also spoke with a woman from Chicago who said she visited Houston’s in Memphis last week.
“She (host) approached me and she said, ‘do you have any other shoes in the car that you can change into.’ I said, ‘Excuse me. Is there a problem with my shoes?’ She said, ‘Well we don’t allow crocks in our dining area,” said Linda Lane, the Houston’s customer.
Lane said she showed the host her injured ankle.
“She said, ‘Okay, no problem. We’ll seat you guys.’ I was already uncomfortable at that point,” said Lane.
Lane said there was another questionable interaction once they were seated.
“And then another waitress came and told my cousin, ‘You can’t wear a hat in the dining area.’ He said, ‘What’s the problem? I see other people wearing hats.’ She said, ‘They’re veterans.’”
Lane said her party then spoke with a manager.
“He approached us and said they were trying to keep their establishment upscale, and I said, ‘I really don’t want to stay in this establishment. I’m uncomfortable.’”
Lane said she feels her party was dressed appropriately.
“We were dressed to the nines as we would say in our language because I had on a dress and they had on linen suits.”
Lane said she refused to eat at the restaurant and once she went to her vehicle she read the restaurant’s dress code. She said she witnessed white customers who were in violation of the dress code who were allowed service.
These allegations come after FOX13 reported on a husband and wife who said they were racially profiled at Houston’s. The husband has worked as a long-time police officer. The wife is a school principal. The couple said they were told to leave after they were told by a Houston’s employee that they smelled of marijuana.
Hillstone, the company which manages Houston’s restaurants, issued the following statement:
“We made a mistake in attributing marijuana odor to Mr. Mosby’s party. We immediately apologized and were pleased he and his party stayed to dine with us Saturday evening and we look forward to the privilege of serving them again in the future. As to the vague claims by a former security guard about past events of which Hillstone is wholly unaware, it is not possible to respond other than to say Hillstone does not discriminate and it is well known that guests of all races choose to dine regularly at Houston’s Memphis and appreciate our hospitality. With respect to attire, we have guidelines on our website. We ask our guests to respect those guidelines and we make the request equally without regard to race.
We are saddened by these allegations but are committed to providing all guests with the same great food and service our Houston’s in Memphis has provided for over 40 years.
Sincerely,
Ralph Price
General Manager
