Restaurant Owner Refuses Service to National Guard
The proprietor of an Italian eatery has decided not to serve members of the National Guard, citing concerns over safety in the city.
Miles Tamboli expressed that he has faced harassment and threats after asking four uniformed members of the Memphis Safety Task Force to leave his establishment, Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza.
“None of that makes us safer. It makes us less safe, and it hurts the people who were already struggling the most,” he stated.
The backlash against him intensified after a TikTok account called Libs highlighted his remarks, urging followers to voice their opinions.
“Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza turned away four Tennessee National Guard members. Here’s the owner, Miles Tamboli. It would be quite unfortunate if everyone in the area knew they were expelling U.S. military personnel!” the account remarked.
The post garnered over 2.9 million views.
According to WMC-TV, state and federal regulations allow businesses to refuse service based on occupation.
Tamboli clarified his actions: “On Saturday night, we chose not to serve four uniformed members of the Memphis Safety Task Force, and I stand by that decision. I love this country and city, which is why I am making this choice. I want Memphis to be safe.”
He further mentioned that crime rates have been problematic even before the special forces arrived.
“Families are now fearful of driving to work or taking their children to school,” he elaborated. “Our schools have reported that kids are skipping classes out of fear. Earlier this month, a 20-year-old Memphian, Tyrin Johnson, was shot and killed by National Guard members during a foot chase, with no body camera footage available for his family. None of that makes us any safer. It makes us less safe, and it causes the most harm to those who are already struggling.”
Tamboli also asserted that numerous other businesses have pledged to oppose the National Guard’s operations, mentioning a particular establishment, Da Samich Spot on Park Avenue, which made headlines by refusing service to an individual entering military service.
