Agency warns cheesesteak joint over English only policy

[nine_one_4]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060613/ap_on_re_us/english_only_cheesesteaks_3

By PATRICK WALTERS, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 12, 8:57 PM ET


An English-only ordering policy at one of the city's most famous cheesesteak joints drew a warning Monday from officials who threatened to file a discrimination complaint.

The city's Commission on Human Relations planned to argue that the policy at Geno's Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.

Geno's owner Joseph Vento posted two small signs at his shop in south Philadelphia proclaiming: "This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

Lawton said that violates the city's Fair Practices Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing.

"It's discouraging patronage by non-English speaking customers because of their national origin or ancestry," Lawton said.

Vento, 66, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after arriving from Sicily in the 1920s, said Monday that he is not discriminating and has no intention of giving in.

"I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I'm not taking it down," Vento said.

He said no customer had ever been turned away because of the policy.

Vento said he posted the sign about six months ago because of concern over the debate on immigration reform and the increasing number of people in the area who cannot order in English. The historically Italian community has become more diverse as immigrants from Asia and Latin America have moved in.

Lawton said the restaurant would probably be served with the complaint on Monday or Tuesday. She did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday evening.

Lawton said the restaurant could be ordered to take down the signs or face fines. The dispute could end up in court.

"Let them do what they want to," Vento said. "When it comes, then we'll deal with it."

[pmajka]

Geno's and their competition, Pat's Steaks.

Well, no competition, they both suck.

As a philly native, listen: You are not missing any Whimsical and Magical PHiladelphian experience cause you didnt go and have one.
"Wit or Witout".

There are TONS of places to get great tasting Cheese Steaks in PHiladelphia.

Chubbys, in Roxborough (NW PHilly), Tonyluke's in South philly, and many more. (NOTE: Stay away from Cheese steaks in DINERS, unless recommended by a local).

Oh, its not "The City of Bortherly Love", It's "The Fighting City of Philadelphia". If you don't agree, Check out some of our Professional sports Games.

[Joeaksa]

Glad to see it. This is America, speak ENGLISH!

[on-ramp]

For Cheesesteak, Press "1"

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The version of English spoken in Philadelphia is often impossible to understand anyway. . . but it's a start.

[pmajka]

Where ya from, Jeff?

(insert answer here)

Oh, and just because ya'll from (answer), yoos guys dont talk funny? If we'uz Fishin, I'd boot ya in the crick. Yeah, howz the wooder taste?



PHilly Lingo Guide:
we'uz: we was (improper), we were (proper)
crick: creek
wooder: water
yoos: all of you
howz: how does
wooder: water
whyz: why does

One Question, Whys snow Layz in Philly and Sticks in New Jersey?

[Overpaid Slacker]

Jeff.. that was funny.

I'd read a different article about this topic a couple of days ago, with much fulminating about how the sign "discourages people" from a "public accommodation". OMFG -- Geno's is now a public work, a service to which all are entitled? Are you FKM?

The city's Commission on Human Relations chairman, Rev. James S. Allen Sr., said "the issue is not whether anyone has been denied service, but that such a sign discourages people from coming asking for service." WTFF?!? So he's effectively concerned that Geno's is going to lose business b/c the the "issue" is that people will go elsewhere ... for a cheesesteak. This is not for medical care, public assistance, equal protection or any "right", it's for a freaking sandwich, hoagie, submarine, grinder, po'boy, etc.

It is a private business, and if Geno's wants to risk having non-English speaking people (that can somehow read the English-language sign) decide to eat at Pat's King of Steaks right across the street, then it's his risk to take.

What of the "Bush Sux" or Wacked-Out Lib crap in windows of 25% of the stores on South Street? Does that make it any more a "hostile" environment to me... discouraging me from a "public accommodation"?

All the freaking sign says is "This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING SPEAK ENGLISH." Not "go home wetback", "screw you, Muslim" or "Take a walk, nigga". And it doesn't say you won't be served if you don't speak English; in fact the proprietor claims never to have declined service based on English fluency, to anybody.

This sign actually reads to me like "I don't feel like learning all of your other tongues; you're in my country, speak mine."

[City Councilman] Kenney said yesterday. "I just think it's mean-spirited and divisive, and it's not good for the city's image."

Well then, genius, you'd better cancel every home Eagles game. From a Seahawks fan that attended the Eagles drubbing in their own stadium last season!!! In a Seahawks jersey.

JP

[sewell94]

After i read this it makes me want to eat at Geno's more than th eother places. I'm glad to see someone finally standing up to all of this crap. I mean they did make english our offical language so whats wrong with making people use it???

[Tobra]

It is his business, he can run it anyway he wants.

Don't they have to prove their point, or can they just say, "We think this would discourage non-English speakers so it is discriminatory."

I think it is funny myself, not the sign, the reaction to it. I don't see it mentioned where if someone comes in who does not speak English, the shop's employees will help them order in English, guess that does not matter either...

[sammyg2]

I've been to Philly once, don't plan to go back.
I met several people there who were rude and moronic, left a bad impression. They were probably the same people giving this guy a hard time.

If I were him I would take down the sign but every time someone tried to order in a language other than english I would accidentally screw up their order and ring up the wrong price. Call it a translation tax

[Rick Lee]

I used to always go to Pat's instead of Geno's. Next time I'll try Geno's out.

Yes, there are better places than these two out in the 'burbs. Here's another vote for Chubby's in Roxboro. D'Allesandro's across the street ain't bad either. I think the best I've had is Appetites Delight in Wayne though. I've tried most of them. Big Jim's smells bad. Tozzi's is WAY overrated.

[RickM]

Would be interesting to see if he'd serve an old Italian lady who speaks nothing but the native tongue.

[Paul T]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
I think the best I've had is Appetites Delight in Wayne though.

I used to live right around the corner from there, great cheesesteak....ever go to Binny and Flynns (used to be right down from Appetites, now an outback)?

[Rick Lee]

No, that Outback has been there for as long as I can remember. There used to be video store at the other end of the shopping center with a good porn selection though.

[Paul T]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
No, that Outback has been there for as long as I can remember. There used to be video store at the other end of the shopping center with a good porn selection though.

Yeah, I uh...heard about that place. Of course, "I" was never in there! Binny's used to be a great bar, replaced by the outback about 7 or so yrs ago...

[Rick Lee]

Originally posted by Paul T
Yeah, I uh...heard about that place. Of course, "I" was never in there! Binny's used to be a great bar, replaced by the outback about 7 or so yrs ago...

I've never lived there. I'm from NJ and have lived in VA for the last 11 yrs. I just go up to Philly to visit a friend some weekends.

[Moneyguy1]

I have yet to see a Chinese restaurant post a sign:

"When ordering, Cantonese only".

Of course, if it were posted in Cantonese, who would be able to read it?

[Rick Lee]

If I saw (and could read) a sign about ordering in Cantonese in Hong Kong or southern China, I'd have no problem with it at all. English is almost non-existent on the Mainland anyway and I did have to order in Chinese when I was there. And a Mandarin speaker could have problems ordering in Cantonese-speaking areas. But that ain't Philly.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
I have yet to see a Chinese restaurant post a sign:

"When ordering, Cantonese only".

Of course, if it were posted in Cantonese, who would be able to read it?

If that sign was posted in China, then fine. If it was posted here in the states then it needs to be removed IMHO.