Houston Server Sticks Up For Special Needs Kid, Kicks Out Rude Diners

Here's a nice story coming straight out of Houston: a server at Laurenzo's restaurant is getting all kinds of praise after kicking out a diner who made rude comments about a child with special needs. Last week, Whine & Dine shared a note from Kim Castillo, whose son Milo has Down Syndrome, recounting a dinner she had at Laurenzo's where a diner at a nearby table complained about her son's noise level by reportedly saying, "Special needs kids should be kept in special places." According to Castillo, server Michael Garcia overheard the comment and flat-out denied to serve the customer, who was apparently a regular at the restaurant.

Of course, that move doesn't always end well for servers. As Garcia said later, "I had considered whether or not I would lose my job, but I knew it wasn't right. I could find another job and my guests would follow me. ... I was pissed." Fortunately, the owners at Laurenzo's stood by Garcia's decision to refuse service, and now the restaurant's Facebook page is exploding with support and Garcia is appearing everywhere from the local news to a recent appearance on Fox & Friends, where he describes Milo as "like my own little brother." Here, go see for yourself:

Video: Waiter Who Refused Service To Customer Becomes Web Hero

· Laurenzo's Waiter Refuses Service — For Good Reason [Whine & Dine]
· Waiter Who Refused Service To Customer Becomes Web Hero [YouTUbe]
· All Houston Coverage on Eater [-E-]