'You cannot charge more': Illinois restaurant owner apologizes for 'bringing shame' to family after confrontation with customer who didn't tip caught on video

Chou now regrets “bringing shame to my wife as a husband, as an owner. At the same time, to my mom and dad,” he told CBS News Chicago in a story published April 24.

The incident has reopened debate over a question that seems to grow more divisive by the day: when is tipping expected and when is it optional?

Online fallout and owner's apology

Backlash following the video was swift. The restaurant deactivated its social media accounts and stopped taking calls. Yelp was also closely monitoring its review page. Messages written in chalk appeared on the sidewalk outside the restaurant accusing the establishment of being anti-Black, according to the local broadcaster.

Chou says the confrontation began when he followed the customer, described as a regular, into the street, intending to tell him he was no longer welcome at the restaurant after he declined to leave a tip multiple times.

“I paid for my food. I handed you $20. You cannot charge more than what the menu says, so what are you talking about?” the customer explained in the video.

According to CBS News Chicago, when asked by a user why he didn't tip, the customer replied online: “Oh, I just didn’t want to.”

Chou has since made efforts to extend an olive branch. He says the customer’s brother visited the restaurant and they had a productive conversation. Chou sent him home with a handwritten apology, the customer’s favorite dish and an offer to reconnect.

“My door is open for you, man. You know, come on by anytime,” Chou said.