Ryan's Steakhouse illegal discrimination against disability Dalton Georgia

Clearly the original poster is upset because he was not able to obtain a discount for the all-you-can-eat steak buffet due to his claims that he had gastric bypass surgery. Let's examine the facts here for a moment:

1- People with gastric bypass surgery can only eat a tiny amount of food at a time (the size of a fist to be exact); therefore, legitimate gastric bypass patients do not frequent all-you-can-eat buffets.

2- ANYONE can obtain or create a falsified physician's letter stating that they have had gastric bypass surgery, and attempt to use such letters to obtain discounts at eating establishments.

3- MANY people who have truly undergone gastric bypass surgery are not compliant with the required post-surgical diet, and continue to eat their way to high heaven anyway, gaining back all the weight they lost after having had the surgery.

4- NO BUSINESS IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO ALLEGED GASTRIC BYPASS SURVIVORS, AS THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SAID INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO CONSUME LESS FOOD THAN THE AVERAGE CONSUMER.

5- This business did not discriminate against the original poster -- they simply did not offer him a discount for his supposed gastric bypass surgery, likely due to the circumstances discussed above.

I live close enough to this Ryan's in Dalton to actually eat there.

It is a buffet. It is only a buffet, with a carving station.

The ONLY complaint the OP could possibly have, is that his friend can no longer pay the children's price, which is charged a set amount for each year of age. If he's going to only eat a little bit (like a child) I can see not wanting to be charged the full Adult Buffet charge. You can NOT take home a to-go box of anything from this place.

But I don't see this as discrimination. An unwise decision on behalf of Ryan's, yes. In today's economy, if you can obtain proof of the gastric bypass, why turn away money in your pocket? I have never visited this restaurant and found it full, so it doesn't make sense.

I suggest Longhorn Steakhouse. You get tons of fantastic food (even the kids menu has steak!) and anyone can order from the kid's menu which starts at $3.99 up and includes bread and drink.

yes it does have a buffet (all you can eat), but you can order from a menu as well. I would hope that the OP was meaning the menu orders. If not, then his claim for child size is moot. He would be wanting child prices not child size. I think the rebuttal claiming this is an "all you can eat restaurant" is a bit misinformed.

After getting more info, a better idea of what is going on here. Never been to a Ryan's cause I WILL eat everything in sight so I stay out of those places. Anyway, the problem we have here is the OP's not happy cause Ryan's wouldn't accept his friend's "bypass card". Now comes the true problem. At some resturants, the bearer of a "bypass card" can order a "kid's meal", a smaller portion at a smaller price. That isn't the case at Ryan's. The price of a child's meal is based on age BUT the "child" can eat as little or as MUCH as he/she desires. There is NO limit to how much the child can eat. So it's not like you're gonna get a smaller portion. The ONLY limit is how much their stomach can hold. They don't allow carry-out either otherwise folks would be "loading" up for their next couple of meals. So, unless you CAN order a child's meal off a menu, this complaint isn't valid. IF Ryan's doesn't want to allow "bypass cards", that's their right. I don't see anywhere in the ADA where it's says they have to accept them. IF you don't like their business practices, go elsewhere.

For you good folks up North, I would imagine you don't have a Ryans.
This is an all you can eat resturant. Kids meal price is determined by their age. The kids can still eat all they want but price is based on how old they are.

I agree the sugury is not a disability but elected. I hope you do well, but any resturant has a right to refuse anyone. I think what ever this card is could be duplicated is what the people at Ryans meant. Crooks make it hard on the honost people who try to do right.

I forgot to mention another innovation we have around here.

Imagine: You're sitting there stuffed to the gills, but half of the prime rib and the mountain of mashed potatoes is still sitting on the plate with no place to go. You just can't eat another bite!

What to do. what to do.

We have a solution!

Up north, we simply ask the server for a rare (down south that is) cullinary gadget we call the "doggie bag." Guess what happens? The server brings a folding foam-like container and you simply "pack up" your uneaten food and take it with you. You can take it home and eat it tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that!

You can do this without any card whatsoever from any doctor! You can even do it without a card from "mommy." Why, you can do it without any card at all!

And the best part is this amazing device is absolutely free!

First, Maryland is a southern state. Try to find the Mason-Dixon line and figure it out.

Second, I have never lived in the north. I left Md 25 yrs ago when I joined the Marines. My permanent residence is NC. I also have a place in Florida. I guess that makes you a northerner. At least all my buddies in Jax tell me you are.

Now, you were never denied entrance to Ryans. You were told you had to order from the adult menu, since you are an adult. Elective surgery is NOT a disability. Perhaps believing you should get special treatment is. See if you can get a card for that. It'll hang from your mirror.

If you don't want to eat so much, DON'T! Eat less. It works every time it's tried. Exercize helps too. Order from the "big people" menu, and take the remainder home.

As for being a "smart alec"...thank you. The first word is "smart". In your case however, the word begins with "D" and rhymes with "UMBASS".

(I'm a different Robert)

I had no idea what such a card might be and appreciate learning about it, in case I visit Texas and I'm not very hungry.

Here's why:

Up north here (home of the smart alecs as you say) we don't NEED some CARD from a doctor to order a from a child's menu if we so wish.

If you're not very hungry, regardless of the reason, you simply ask for a child's menu and the server will present you with one - order as you wish from either an adult or child's menu.

We certainly don't need some special card or permission from a doctor for an adult who isn't very hungry to order a child's plate from the children's menu- at the child's menu price!

Live and learn I guess!

Cory in San Antonio, TX

Before I comment, I need to know what a 'bypass' card is and what it does for the bearer. Please explain. Thanks.
A Gastric Bypass card is a card that states the following copied of the one my friend has " To Whom It May Concern: Name of person who had gastric bypass- has had a gastric bypass restrictive procedure., Their stomach capacity is markedly reduced. They should be allowed to order and purchase a children's plate or portion for their meal. If you have any questions, our office is located at: Name and Contact info of doctor who did surgery.
Robert in Bowie, MD

What are you talking about?
The restaurant refused to let you enter because of some surgery you recieved? Or did they simply inform you they no longer gave away FREE food?

I'm betting it's the second option.
you lost that bet and figures that someone up north would say something like that unlike the guy in TX who wanted to be informed about it. Anyhow it's the first one and not the second one at all and it wouldn't be free anyhow just reduced happy i dont live up north anymore where smart alecs are. And it was my friend they always let us in then all of the sudden they didn't. So we don't think it's right but yet this isn't a free country now is it.

Gastric bypass is an ELECTIVE surgery to lose weight, not a DISABILITY, so how are they discriminating? Oh they are nto giving you something for free or really cheap anymore. Wow, imagine that, having to pay for food at a Ryans.

I had a gastric bypass myself in 2002. I did have one of those cards that my surgeon's office gave me...never used it.

As they explained to us, the restaurants are not *required* to honor the card by allowing adults to order child's portions or whatever deal your friend was looking for.

There are plenty of alternatives at almost any restaurant for someone that has had a gastric bypass to partake of.

They are not ripping you or your friend off. It's perfectly within their legal rights to not honor your friend's request and your friend is perfectly within his rights not to eat at that establishment any more.

The restaurant refused to let you enter because of some surgery you recieved? Or did they simply inform you they no longer gave away FREE food?

I'm betting it's the second option.

Before I comment, I need to know what a "bypass" card is and what it does for the bearer. Please explain. Thanks.