Voted the top dining spot in Foster City, California, this renowned restaurant is celebrated for its succulent shredded cilantro beef and its signature ‘godfather’s noodles,’ which come elegantly stacked with minced pork.
The stir began when the establishment disclosed a stern policy that has sparked a fervent online debate. The policy stands out for making parents financially accountable if their children cause disturbances or damage. One notable incident highlighted the seriousness of this policy when a family faced a steep charge of $327 after their child reportedly damaged restaurant equipment.
Chez Xue, an upscale Chinese restaurant located in the Bay Area, has recently become the talk of the town. A viral sensation online, it’s not just known for its exquisite culinary offerings but also for its firm stance on child behavior in the dining area. A snapshot of its explicit house rules is making waves across social media platforms.
The restaurant’s guidelines are clear: children must remain seated and show respect towards other patrons and the ambiance of the dining area. The statement prominently displayed urges diners to maintain decorum.
Furthermore, the establishment does not mince words about its intolerance for unruly behavior, explicitly stating that running around, shouting, and creating noise with utensils are strictly prohibited. Parents are informed that they will bear the financial burden for any damages their children may cause to the restaurant’s property.
And those who do not follow the rules will be asked to leave.
The restaurant’s website calls out recent ‘damages’ charged to parents: The first was in early 2025, when a customer’s child dropped a credit card machine, causing the screen to shatter. The parents were billed $327.03.
Another family tacked on over $109 to their bill after a child carved designs into a table using a utensil. Most recently, a family was charged $5.47 when a customer’s child shattered a teacup in January.
Chinese restaurant Chez Xue is located in the Bay Area, just a short drive away from San Francisco
Chez Xue is a non-tipping restaurant, meaning a service charge of 18 percent is automatically added for dine-in customers
This summer, the policy went viral when it was reshared on social media, with X users sharing their thoughts on the restaurant’s decision.
‘If your kids are smashing credit card machines and carving things into furniture, they don’t belong in restaurants,’ one wrote. ‘End of conversation.’
‘Rule of parenting: you remove your children from public spaces when they are not acting civilized,’ another chimed in. ‘Restaurant rule for children: if they are old enough to be free of high chair, they can understand they have to remain seated and not touch things.’
Some said that charging a family for a shattered teacup was ‘a bit much,’ though, noting that restaurants should expect small expenses like broken plates and glasses.
But this policy isn’t just about $5 shattered teacups.
Restaurant owner You You Xue told People ‘the standard of behavior has kind of fallen off a cliff’ recently, defending his policy.
According to Xue, staff repeatedly noticed children running around the dining room, shouting, and, in one instance, parents changing diapers at dining tables.
‘We don’t tolerate disruptive behavior, and we are going to hold guests responsible when their children are acting up and are deliberately destroying restaurant property,’ he said.
‘It’s just really important that we are not only controlling guest behavior, but also creating a welcoming environment for other guests.’
Chez Xue is known for its Chinese dishes like scallion noodles, shredded pork with garlic and orange chicken
He added that it’s not just about the kids and their parents but more about the other customers who are enjoying a meal in the same space.
The owner said he doesn’t want their meal interrupted by ‘some loud screaming at the next table.’
According to him, disruptive incidents have dropped dramatically since the policy was introduced, and he plans to continue enforcing the rules as he expands the business.
‘That extra reminder has really helped improve the overall environment,’ he said. ‘We’ve actually never really received a complaint on the message before, so I’m happy about that.’
Chez Xue has been a longstanding Foster City restaurant just a 15 minute drive from San Francisco International Airport.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Chez Xue for a comment.