Restaurant Sparks Debate After Unveiling Controversial New Dress Code

Updated September 8, 2021

While there's certainly been a lot to argue about over the last year, one surprisingly enduring subject of debate has concerned how extensive and stringent a dress code really needs to be and where they need to exist.

Some recent cases have seen young women shamed at a business and even threatened with removal from a plane just because an employee didn't think their outfit was appropriate.

Such incidents emphasize how subjective these kinds of considerations are, but they also show how difficult it is to walk the line between supporting the comfort of customers and maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.

And that debate is at the forefront of the response to the policies laid out in one Texas restaurant's new dress code.

On July 2, the Houston restaurant the Turkey Leg Hut announced a detailed dress code on its Facebook page.

Facebook | The Turkey Leg Hut

And while this code prohibits the exposed undergarments and obscene graphics and language that one might expect, it seems particularly strict as it also bans baggy clothing, distressed clothing, and hair care garments such as wave caps and du-rags.

As the restaurant's management explained in their accompanying post, this dress code was introduced for the purpose of maintaining a family friendly environment.

Facebook | The Turkey Leg Hut

As the post read, "We are not a club, we are a family friendly restaurant and will continue to maintain our standards as we welcome everyone to the Turkey Leg Hut!"

They also said that the specifics of the code were influenced by the attire of some guests, which apparently suggests it wasn't so uncommon for them to show up wearing shower caps.

As news of this new dress code spread, it picked up a sizable number of encouraging messages from supporters.

Facebook | The Turkey Leg Hut

For them, any complaints against this change were a sign of dipping modesty standards and a lack of respect for themselves and their fellow patrons.

Through this lens, the restaurant's specific requirements were only a means of protecting their brand image against unruly customers.

However, those with some experience eating at the Turkey Leg Hut said those who dressed "inappropriately" were more in line with the atmosphere the restaurant was cultivating than it appeared.

Facebook | The Turkey Leg Hut

To them, it seemed inconsistent and perhaps even hypocritical for the restaurant to admonish customers for treating it like a club when the loud trap music and hookah services featured there were more in line with a club than a family friendly restaurant.

This imaging was particularly puzzling to customers who pointed out that the restaurant doesn't actually offer kids' meals.

As one user put it, "I hope they change the atmosphere to match their expectations."

So unless such a change is forthcoming, commenters expressed that the Turkey Leg Hut was in danger of alienating their previous clientele while also misleading the potential customers they're aiming for.

Facebook | The Turkey Leg Hut

In one user's words, "I understand the no revealing clothes but as far as the rest y'all outkasting the very same people that made y’all rich. Don’t forget where you came from and started."

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