Alex Lepe
Matt Mobley and Sarah Hooton of Hot Box Biscuit Club
Two businesses in the Near Southside, Hot Box Biscuit Club and Southside Rambler, are facing internet backlash following accusations of racially insensitive activity on social media last weekend.
Elsa Ruggiero, a Fort Worth hairdresser, reached out to Hot Box Biscuit Club co-owner Sarah Hooton via a Facebook private message last Saturday. Having previously visited the restaurant, Ruggiero was familiar with the business’s references to black cultural icons in its menu items like “Ice-T,” a “Big Boi” biscuit sandwich, and a “Gin-n-Juice” cocktail. So she was surprised when the business failed to make any comment about its support of the black community following the murder of George Floyd.
“I was curious to see if they've said anything,” Ruggiero says. “I noticed that there hadn't been any mention at all, anywhere. I thought it was a little weird because they have a big platform, and it seems like they really benefit from the culture of black people.”
Hooton says she received Ruggiero’s message on a busy weekend and admits her initial response of just “thanks” was rather curt. She says that she’s been juggling a lot after the COVID-19 shutdown and that the message caught her at the wrong time.
“My response to her, due to the timing and the stress that I was in — it just wasn't a good response,” Hooten says. “It was not acceptable, so I’m definitely sorry about that.”
Ruggiero shared their private conversation publicly on her Facebook account. It wasn’t long before the post was shared over 200 times, and people weighed in on all sides of the subject. Some commenters called the restaurant names like “Hot Box Bigots,” while others called Ruggiero a “fuschia-haired Karen.”
The interaction led Hooton and Hot Box Biscuit Club to give more thought to their business. Although Hooton says the menu names paid homage to her love of '90s hip-hop, she’s since changed them after accusations of cultural appropriation.
The restaurant made a public apology for their previous silence. Hooten says she’s reached out to the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce to find ways her business can help the community.
“We are all about community, and we do believe that black lives matter,” Hooten says. “We've learned from this that not being racist isn't enough. We've got to step up and do our part to combat racism, so it's been a learning process for us for sure.”
Southside Rambler, a new restaurant that opened up in the old La Zona spot on Magnolia Avenue, is also under fire after its co-owner, Julia Von Ehrenfried, made a series of controversial Facebook posts. Reports of a packed patio and mask-less employees are also circulating.
Von Ehrenfried’s since turned her personal Facebook profile and Southside Rambler’s Instagram account private. Southside Rambler did not respond to requests for comment.
