Illinois Ramen Restaurant Owner Chases Customer Down the Street Demanding He Tip for Meal (video)
- Victor Nwoko
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
A heated confrontation outside Table to Stix, a popular ramen restaurant in downtown Evanston, Illinois, has triggered widespread backlash and official investigations after the owner was caught on video aggressively pursuing a customer for not leaving a tip.
The incident occurred on a quiet Saturday afternoon when Kenny Chou, the owner of the well-reviewed eatery known for its casual atmosphere and steamy ramen bowls, followed a customer into the street and berated him for not tipping on a $19.89 meal, which had been paid for with a $20 bill.
In the viral video, Chou repeatedly demands an explanation for the lack of a tip, prompting the customer—who remained composed throughout the exchange—to respond, "I paid for my food. I handed you $20. You cannot charge more than what the item costs. What are you talking about?"
The situation escalated as Chou closely trailed the customer through the street, ignoring repeated pleas to back off. "Get the f*** back! Call 911 if you need to settle something," the customer said, warning Chou that the video would soon circulate widely online. Chou then threatened, “Shut your goddam f****** mouth. How are my staff supposed to make money? I’ll slap the s*** out of you."
The customer, who is Black, later explained his decision not to tip simply as, "Oh, I just didn’t want to." The confrontation, which many interpreted as racially charged, prompted an intense response from the community. Messages written in chalk, including "Anti-Black, Do Not Eat Here," appeared outside the restaurant. Yelp was forced to issue an “unusual activity alert” on the Table to Stix page, suspending new reviews amid the mounting backlash. The restaurant also disconnected its phone lines and deactivated its social media accounts.
In the aftermath, Chou publicly expressed remorse, stating, "Bringing shame to my wife as a husband, as an owner. At the same time to my mom and dad." In an effort to make amends, he reportedly sent a handwritten apology, the customer’s favorite meal, and an open invitation through the man’s brother: “My door is open for you, man. You know, come on by anytime.”
However, community leaders and activists have said this is not enough. A boycott was organized, and protests took place outside the restaurant. Many are calling for Chou to deliver a public, in-person apology specifically to the Black community. The Evanston Police Department confirmed a harassment report was filed and that an investigation is ongoing.
The confrontation has also sparked wider conversations about the tipping system in the United States. During a recent public Equity and Empowerment Commission meeting, Councilmember Devon Reid proposed eliminating the tipped wage system in Evanston in favor of a service fee model, aiming to reduce conflicts and inequities related to gratuity expectations.
Chou, a Korean immigrant who came to the U.S. at age five, now finds the business he built with his wife over the last decade facing an uncertain future. “I never imagined this would be the result of trying to pursue the American dream,” he said, reflecting on the turmoil as the dinner rush began in his restaurant, now battered both physically and reputationally.
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