News Summary
A dining incident at Salt & Honey Grill in Myrtle Beach has sparked outrage after the owner allegedly made racist remarks to a Maryland couple. After expressing dissatisfaction over an undercooked steak, the couple claims they were met with disrespect and racially charged comments from the owner. The restaurant has since released a statement denying the allegations and asserting their commitment to a diverse workplace. The incident has drawn significant public attention, leading to calls for a boycott while also dividing opinions online.
Myrtle Beach – A controversy has erupted following a dining incident at Salt & Honey Grill, where restaurant owner allegedly made racist remarks to a Maryland couple after a complaint about their meal. The couple, Pastor Maurice Mckoy and his wife, visited the Myrtle Beach establishment on July 9, drawn to its popularity as a “TikTok sensation.” However, their experience took a distressing turn when they encountered issues with their meal.
While dining, Mckoy’s wife ordered a steak dish that was deemed undercooked. The couple raised their concern with the staff, only to receive the same steak back without any modifications. According to Mckoy, the restaurant owner suggested he had “Googled” the acceptable appearance of a medium-well steak and dismissed their discontent, stating that it was cooked correctly. When dissatisfaction persisted, the owner allegedly made a statement saying, “Black people are not welcome in his establishment,” and expressed a belief that “Black people play with his money too much.”
Throughout the confrontation, Mckoy claims that the owner did not disclose his name, leaving the couple feeling disrespected and unwelcome. Following the incident, Mckoy took to social media, sharing their experience in a Facebook live stream, which quickly went viral, attracting the attention of hundreds of thousands of viewers.
The day after the incident, Salt & Honey Grill released a statement categorically disputing Mckoy’s account. The restaurant claimed that the couple had requested multiple remakes of their dishes and maintained that the cook and server involved were “valued Black team members.” Additionally, the restaurant asserted that upon realizing they could not meet the couple’s expectations, they offered to cover the bill. The restaurant’s statement emphasized their commitment to fostering a “healthy working environment” and denied any racially charged comments being made during the confrontation.
The fallout from the incident has sparked significant public reaction, with a wave of support for Mckoy and calls to boycott the restaurant. Many individuals expressed outrage over the alleged comments, highlighting the need for discrimination to be addressed within the hospitality industry. However, some social media users expressed skepticism about Mckoy’s version of the events, leading to a divided public opinion on the matter.
As of the latest updates, there have been no reports of further actions taken by either Mckoy or Salt & Honey Grill following the incident. This situation remains tense, as both sides stand firm in their accounts of what transpired during the disputed meal.
The incident at Salt & Honey Grill has raised critical conversations around racial discrimination in the restaurant industry while also shedding light on the power of social media to amplify grievances and encourage community responses. As the story continues to unfold, the restaurant and the couple remain at the center of a discussion that touches on broader societal issues.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Wikipedia: Racism in the United States
- WBTW News
- Google Search: Racial Discrimination in Restaurants
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Scholar: Racial Discrimination Restaurants
- AP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Racism
- Island Packet
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Restaurant Discrimination
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
