Dragon Pizza in Somerville, Massachusetts, is at the center of a controversy after recently kicking a family out of the restaurant due to unruly behavior, sparking debate about parenting in public dining spaces.
The incident occurred on March 14, 2025, when the pizza shop's owner, Charlie Redd, found the family’s behavior unacceptable. Redd, who has a history of embracing families at his establishment, took to social media to explain the decision and share his views.
In a detailed post shared on Instagram and Facebook, Redd outlined the restaurant's philosophy regarding customers with children. He stated, "Anyone who has visited our restaurant knows we are a pizza shop that LOVES KIDS." However, he added that there are expectations parents must meet to ensure a positive experience for everyone. His post described how the group of “negligent parents” had disregarded the restaurant's dining atmosphere by allowing their children to run wild, which he said was disrespectful to both staff and other guests.
“Sadly, we had to demand a group of negligent parents [to] take their families home because they were disrespecting our dining room, other guests, and our team,” Redd said. This message was clearly communicated as he reinforced that, “Our restaurant, or any restaurant, is not a place for unsupervised children to play.” Redd emphasized that while he welcomes families, those who ignore their parental responsibilities could no longer be tolerated.
In explaining the rationale behind his stance, he issued a list of guidelines that customers should follow while dining at Dragon Pizza. These included statements such as:
- We welcome all children dining in our restaurant with open arms.
- We do not welcome parents who do not want to share a dining experience with their children.
- We love sharing our games with children; who wouldn’t?
- We loathe parents who use our games as babysitters while they ignore their children and let them damage and abuse our games.
- We think our pizza is the best, worthy of respect, and cherish children who agree.
- We do not appreciate parents who treat our pizza as a cheap, simple option to feed their children until they can have their own dinner.
The social media response was palpable, galvanizing support and criticism in equal measure. Redd reported an influx of followers and supportive comments but also faced backlash for his approach. One commenter remarked on the language, questioning, “Why can’t parents give their kids pizza as a cheap, easy option?”
The incident has revived discussions about the challenges of parenting in restaurants, often seen as sanctuaries for family dining, but also places where adult patrons expect a certain decorum. As child development specialists note, expectations of conduct vary widely among parents. Exposing children to diverse dining environments is important for their development, but managing their behavior can become a daunting task for parents.
Etiquette experts like Betsy Brown Braun suggest that one person’s idea of parenting can differ significantly from another's. “It seems that parents think first about what works for their family and second about anyone else in a particular environment,” she noted. Redd’s predicament illustrates this conflict: parents may wish to expose their children to restaurant dining but could struggle with the realities of maintaining order among excited kids.
As the discussions spiraled on social media, other restaurants weighed in on similar experiences. The Rhode Island brewery Proclamation Ale Company had previously reminded guests that staff and games are not babysitters. This incident illustrates a broader societal conversation around children’s behavior in public spaces and the responsibilities of their guardians.
Dragon Pizza, owned by Redd since its inception six years ago, has a unique approach to family dining. It features an adjacent area, Dragon's Lair, filled with arcade games including shuffleboard and pinball, clearly designed to engage kids. Redd, himself a parent, built the space with families in mind and prides himself on accommodating groups with children.
This particular incident marks the first time Redd has had to ask a family to leave, leading to regret as he emphasized the importance of community dining experiences. “No parent wants to be put in that position,” he said. Yet, he reiterated his commitment to maintaining an environment conducive to the enjoyment of all diners.
The scrutiny surrounding Redd’s decision, as well as the past controversy involving Dave Portnoy—the Barstool Sports founder who had an infamous run-in with Redd during a review—has kept Dragon Pizza in the public eye. Redd faced review fraud in the wake of that incident, raising questions about how his latest actions might affect business.
As the debate rages on social media and in parenting circles, it prompts a broader reflection on dining etiquette in family-friendly restaurants. The key query persists: how can a balance be struck between enjoying a meal out and ensuring that all patrons can appreciate the atmosphere? Redd’s experience serves as a case study in navigating these tricky waters, reinforcing the perspective that both responsibility and respect should go both ways—both from parents and restaurant owners alike.
