WAFFLE HOUSE COOK THROWS PLATE OF FOOD AT CUSTOMER, ARRESTED
POLICE REPORT: CROSSVILLE POLICE DEPT.
I responded to the Waffle House for an Assault. Upon arrival, I made contact with the male customer. He stated that he had gone to the Waffle House to eat and after waiting for a long period of time he decided that he did not want the food he just wanted a refund. He then asked the female behind the counter for a refund and she began being belligerent and stated that she was the only one that could give so he would have to wait longer. The male was then given a refund by a server and when the cook, Ms. Annie Mcnelly, had half of the food cooked she asked the male if he was sure he didn’t want the food he stated “I’m Sure” The cook then threw both plates of food. One of the plates hit the counter and the other went past the customer’s head. The customer then called 911. I was able to review the video footage and found that the video showed Ms. Mcnelly throwing the food and the plate barely missing the customer’s head. Ms. Mcnelly was placed under arrest and was transported to the Justice Center for booking.
Betty Hamlett
June 22, 2021 at 6:31 am
Love Waffle House. My “go for breakfast” place. Servers have alwaysbeen polite & if suoer busy the wait can beca little long. Only complsunt i have is eating in a freezer!
Anonymous
June 22, 2021 at 8:34 am
Lets see there was 1 cook 1 server and the guy was not understanding that it would take time to get his food
Anonymous
June 22, 2021 at 10:42 am
True but throwing the plate is a over reaction
Jeremy Lobdell
June 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm
It’s a turn and burn technique. Won’t occupy the table long after eating if your freezing.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 12:17 pm
not when it comes out of your check and the customer waits until the order is ready to demand a refund. That’s called theft of services. Due to the fact that the grill op was the direct victim of a misdemeanor offense, the actions of the grill op were by law, self defense. Waffle House doesn’t give refunds unless a health violation is involved. The customer should be charged and the officer should be reprimanded. I hope she takes it to trial.
Jj
June 22, 2021 at 2:27 pm
There’s always grit ball. He got lucky. We always kept a pot of steaming hot grits just in case we got robbed. In the WH handbook, it does say that the customer is not always right!
PAMELA THOMPSON
June 22, 2021 at 9:07 pm
What a wimp had to call the law. Crybaby. If she had wanted to hit him up side the head she could have.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm
no warrant? Illegal search and seizure.
Vincent Velardi
June 24, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Most of the waffle house is garbage the people at work there are garbage they treat you like trash they scrub the orders if you have one order you have to wait for the other 6 to be done at the same time waffle house is a fucking joke
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Maybe the officer should be better informed considering the fact that the Supreme Court ruled his actions to be considered illegal search and seizure without getting a warrant first the day before this incident occurred.
Lol
June 22, 2021 at 9:33 am
The guy deserved it tho. Society if stupid people were allowed to be treated the way they treat others….
Shirley
June 22, 2021 at 4:07 pm
If neither of the plates actually hit the customer, why was the cook arrested?
Michael H
June 22, 2021 at 9:44 am
Man those employees make very low wages to deal with dumb people like this. I wait 30 minutes at nice places. They are busy man stop being a entitle little crybaby. Don’t worry it will come back to you. Someone will treat your loved one like that after they worked hard to cook your food. Dummies dummies dummies
Nancy Orr
June 22, 2021 at 10:07 am
Is it just me or is everyone actually losing their minds?people are so out of touch with how it is you are supposed to treat someone. Although I have to respect for a person who works hard for their money, I will NEVER respect anyone who decides they want to take actions into their own hands and physically cause harm because they don’t like how they are unappreciated. This kind of physical behavior continuously is being perpetuated everywhere. I hope the man sues because he was literally attacked simply simply because he changed his mind on waiting for an order. That’s NEVER a good excuse for a physical altercation. Oh that’s right NOTHING should warrant that type of response. He has every right to not want to wait and expect to be attacked over that right.
Nancy Orr
June 22, 2021 at 10:09 am
Is it just me or is everyone actually losing their minds?people are so out of touch with how it is you are supposed to treat someone. Although I have to respect for a person who works hard for their money, I will NEVER respect anyone who decides they want to take actions into their own hands and physically cause harm because they don’t like how they are unappreciated. This kind of physical behavior continuously is being perpetuated everywhere. I hope the man sues because he was literally attacked simply because he changed his mind on waiting for an order. That’s NEVER a good excuse for a physical altercation. Oh that’s right NOTHING should warrant that type of response. He has every right to not want to wait and expect NOT to be attacked over that right.
Iesha Simmons
June 22, 2021 at 10:16 am
If you don’t like Waffle House ,
Or the employees that work there,
DON’T EAT THERE!!!!
Anonymous
June 22, 2021 at 10:19 am
Yeah but do you know how he talked to them? I agree violence is never the right answer but, im sure he wasnt a gem when he asked for his refund after saying he didnt want the food, not to mention what he was saying adding up to the decision he made to leave. Just saying…
Billy
June 22, 2021 at 7:13 pm
She shouldn’t have throwed it at him she should have walked over & put both plates over his head & dumped it on him
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:27 pm
I just pissed on your communist face. Lick it up.
Dylan
June 22, 2021 at 10:58 am
I just ate at a waffle house a week ago. Me and my girlfriend both ordered large burgers with hash browns and eggs… Very good food, might I add. It took probably 10 minutes to get it since the cook was busy restocking while he cooked. Waffle house is by no means a “fast food” restaurant. It is meant to be moderately “quick” food. Trust me, I would start throwing entire deep fryers at idiot customers if it didn’t land me behind a judge. It’s like they think the world revolves around them, no matter how busy or stressed the workers are. Kind of wish he did get hit by the plate, because then the charge would have been legitimate.
BARBARA A ROBERSON
June 22, 2021 at 12:44 pm
So true
Sandra Gunn
June 22, 2021 at 11:21 am
What I payed attn. To was the fact that this guy met the police 1st to get his side of the story in 1st, even though there is video, was there audio? I think he said something that triggered Ms. Annies’ burst of anger and subsequent behaviour.
The guilty almost always want to get their story to the cops first. There has to be more to this story.
Earnest Sims Jr
June 22, 2021 at 11:21 am
There are some of you, humans, that are actually f’d up, and wait until your food is being cooked, then cancel the order.
Traci Whitmire
June 22, 2021 at 11:26 am
But it didn’t hit him. Where is the crime? Both were in the wrong but i don’t see a crime. What is the charge? Cook almost hit customer?
Anonymous
June 22, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Stop it ppl.he wrong ok watin tu u finish cookin really he should have been left he had time tu wait on BS.so its wrong.
R
June 22, 2021 at 12:18 pm
It is assault .there are many ways of that verbal by touching someone throwing something at them etc.she deserves to go to jail and the customer too.sure he verbally assaulted the cook.both in the wrong.
Anonymous
June 22, 2021 at 1:03 pm
The bottom line is whatever he said weather it was nice or not, right or wrong,What got her in jail is throwing the plates…He did right by calling the cops instead of reacting physically.
Anytime you deal with the public you deal with millions of attitudes, Unfortunately some thrive on being pure evil to workers while some are nice
But we do not know enough details to say he was wrong as far as what he said or how he said it but we do know she threw plates at the guy and that alone is assault
This information is from the camera
We just know he decided not to wait
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:30 pm
too many kindergarten cops who don’t even know the law. False arrest. False imprisonment. The cop deserves a minimum of 10 years.
Eunice
June 22, 2021 at 1:47 pm
My hat is off to the cook. Those cooks at Waffle House are very special. The cooks listen to not one but 5 to 6 orders at one time and they get everyone of the orders correct. The people that work at restaurants get paid $2,00 to $2,50 an hour. The workers depend on the tips from the customers.
Tonya
June 22, 2021 at 10:15 pm
This statement is spot on. The cook deserved exactly what she got.
People whatever your reasons are for getting the job you choose is still your choice regardless of the pay.
You do not have a right to intentionally attempt to cause harm.
The act of God and the 1st amendment allows people to say what they want.
Your reactions will determine whether you remain free or not.
Virginia D McCann
June 22, 2021 at 3:11 pm
I just resigned from a Waffle House, last week. I’ve worked for Waffle House ( off and on for 26 years. ) 1996.
I know that customers are rough on employees. I worked at a Waffle House next to a Country Bar.
Fights broke out every weekend..
Cups, plates, coffee cups busting..and the restaurant was jammed pack.
I played bouncer that night.
I opened the door and told them to get the hell out! NOW!
They filed out and left.
The cooks lost control.
I was tired of dodging shit!
I’m 4’9″. My life was in danger.
The cook was 100% wrong.
The customer has every right to change their mind.
Although, that decision does come with verbal communication,
( sometimes ) because that IS waste of food, and food cost against the Unit Manager.
In this cooks case…in the heat of the moment… rational thinking IS A MUST. Walk Away from the grill.
Allow the customer to leave.
He can’t stand there forever..
If he’s ignored after his display of disrespect.
She deserved to go to jail and fired.
Sarah M.
June 22, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Well she still has her job so ??♀️
J. Sanders
June 22, 2021 at 5:35 pm
You sure?
Richardo Griffin
June 23, 2021 at 2:50 am
I agree I worked at waffle house for 7 years. You. Ever throw a plate point blank period. Those who feel this is justifiable lack customer service skills.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:33 pm
your belief in God is your business and no one else. You deserve to go to hell and be incinerated.
Sarah M.
June 22, 2021 at 3:38 pm
I was a cook for waffle house for 5 years & I worked at this particular WH for a few years. I know exactly how hard it is on your body and mind to work there! I actually don’t blame her. None of yal know what he said to antagonize her. We were treated like S**T by MANY customers, ESPECIALLY the “Church crowd”! Until yal know the full story don’t judge her. I want to know what her charge is and how much her bond is.
Ted
June 22, 2021 at 5:36 pm
Okay did you read the story he asked for his money back, how do you get your money back from them, when I go to there they ask for your money on the way out unless you order it to go.let see how this plays out very interesting.
J. Sanders
June 22, 2021 at 5:38 pm
The thing is….nobody deserves to get hot food and plates thrown at them. IT IS ILLEGAL. It’s assault. It’s legally and morally wrong. If you think it’s ok to do that to someone…maybe you shouldn’t be out in society either. Smh
Anonymous
June 23, 2021 at 2:00 am
You hit on a point. The only time they collect money ahead of time is when it is to go. So how much threat is a plastic plate. ???
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:36 pm
it’s self defense as a direct victim of misdemeanor theft which in this case is a violent crime. The cook is gonna walk with a lawsuit. Your opinions don’t dictate laws, neither does the dipshit officers.
Mary
July 2, 2021 at 8:44 am
That was my first thought also! You pay for your food on the way out after you have eaten normally.
Interesting!
Billy
June 22, 2021 at 7:15 pm
She shouldn’t have threw it at him she should have just walked over to him took both plates over his head & dumped them on him
Billy
June 22, 2021 at 7:16 pm
She shouldn’t have throwed it at him she should have walked over & put both plates over his head & dumped it on him
Better food out there
June 22, 2021 at 9:33 pm
Waffle House is full if dumb fu*ks that treat the customer like shit, especially in my area. I have gone in and ordered and a few minutes later a regular walks in and the cook makes their order first. I had to wait 15 minutes on a damn waffle. I see why tbe guy wanted a refund.
Donna
June 22, 2021 at 9:59 pm
At waffle house you don’t pay until after you eat so it doesn’t make sense that he wanted a refund before his meal got there
Anonymous
June 23, 2021 at 2:57 am
I worked there 8 years & unfortunately that’s true. Servers & cooks will show favoritism for regular who tip well.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:39 pm
it all comes down to when the server calls the mark at waffle house. It’s never a trained grill ops fault. The grill op never takes orders.
Sharice
June 22, 2021 at 11:31 pm
Oh people who don’t or NEVER worked retail. Listen up this may surprise you: customer is not always right. In retail, we deal with privileged and entitled people. Nobody wants to wait an insane long time for a meal or to be able to place it, the pay that comes with ignorant customers is not worth it. Shortage of staff, crap pay, useless managers and horrible customers. Who wants minimum wage to deal with that. I say customers should be treated how they treat company employees, of course they wouldn’t like it so why should company’s make their staff accept it with no compensation or incentive for daily customer abuse. We are overworked and overwhelmed but customers only want, ME ME ME, you make people hate wanting to help you. I’ll take unemployment and covid money to not help you verses crap wage to help you.
Richardo Griffin
June 23, 2021 at 2:55 am
I worked at wh. It could gave ve a call in order. She shouldn’t thrown a plate. Looks at waffle house make way more than minimum wage usually start out about 13 dollars an hour plus tips. So uts no excuse jerk or not. Also at waffle house if customers give u a hard time u are allowed to call the cops & have them banned. Y’all stop justifying feeling the right to disrespect people in return. It’s your job you won’t enjoy every customer.
Morgan
June 28, 2021 at 2:27 am
Doesn’t make alot of sense to me. Every time I’ve ever went to a Waffle House, Crossville included, you pay AFTER you have received your food, and you only pay when your ready, by walking up to the cashier station and letting the server look at your chit and ring up your order.
This makes me think the customer was just trying to yell at some staff. All the stuff people are saying about misdemeanor theft and self defense is bullshit.
The customer got upset and started talking crap to the employees, and the cook snapped from the bad treatment and committed assault by throwing plates at the ungrateful customer.
Both parties are in the wrong, but the cook escalated the situation beyond what was necessary. The staff should’ve just kicked the guy out, and called police if he didn’t go, since he didn’t pay and didn’t recieve his food, so technically no transaction took place. Waffle House owed him nothing…until the cook started throwing plates.
Dale M.
June 23, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Some of ya’ll didn’t read the story very carefully; and many of you are making assumptions without knowing all the facts. First of all, one of the plates DID hit the customer. Second, you don’t know how long he waited before he changed his mind. Third, you really don’t know whether or not the customer was belligerent or actually asked politely for a refund. Since one of the plates actually hit the customer, she could be charged for assault & battery & not just simple assault. Anyone who thinks what she did was justified should not be working in the service community.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:41 pm
out of the other side of your mouth you condone theft of services. Go eat another badge toting communist dick.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 12:03 pm
All the more reason why I will never work any job in this country again. There’s millions more people just like me. Forcing jobs onto people is slavery, especially anything under 15.00 per hour working more than 14 days per month. I’m voting against Kemp and all those like him from now on. There’s no reason why the majority of the entire country should have to suffer because of the greed of the rich. No taxes from me until the hoarded currency of the elites are appropriately redistributed. Most of you Jerks deserve to have plates broken over your heads, not just thrown at them. If I was the grill op, I would no longer serve the police department due to Social Injustice and I would file a civil restraining order for interfering with business relationships to do it.
the domain
June 24, 2021 at 9:46 pm
I’m always happy to wait on my tbone with scrambled eggs, double hashbrowns, and toast, as long as there’s no cops or loudmouth crackheads or communist drunks. That’s why I wait before I order.
Cheri
June 26, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Every time I have eaten at WH, including in Crossville, I pay AFTER I finish eating.
Why would the customer need a “refund”? Why not just walk out?
Because he wanted a confrontation.
Morgan
June 28, 2021 at 2:29 am
Doesn’t make alot of sense to me. Every time I’ve ever went to a Waffle House, Crossville included, you pay AFTER you have received your food, and you only pay when your ready, by walking up to the cashier station and letting the server look at your chit and ring up your order.
This makes me think the customer was just trying to yell at some staff. All the stuff people are saying about misdemeanor theft and self defense is bullshit.
The customer got upset and started talking crap to the employees, and the cook snapped from the bad treatment and committed assault by throwing plates at the ungrateful customer.
Both parties are in the wrong, but the cook escalated the situation beyond what was necessary. The staff should’ve just kicked the guy out, and called police if he didn’t go, since he didn’t pay and didn’t recieve his food, so technically no transaction took place. Waffle House owed him nothing…until the cook started throwing plates.