Maple & Motor owner Jack Perkins (from Facebook).
The last time we addressed this issue was on this episode of our podcast, Pink Noise. There’s been a contentious relationship with Jack Perkins, owner of Maple & Motor Burgers & Beer, and pretty much a contingent of the community that accuses him of discrimination and homophobia. There was even a Facebook page started rather abruptly after one person went to the webs to vent about alleged discrimination, but he never followed up with an official complaint. Dallas has a law against discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations.
Alas, it all seemed to have died down until Tuesday, when Dallas Voice contributor Andrea Grimes posted this piece on Eater Dallas.
I first went to Maple & Motor after reading a positive review in Dallas Voice by Rich Lopez. As a Gay man, I’ve never experienced any GLBT discrimination at Maple & Motor. Not really sure why anyone would. Of course I don’t walk in with a sign that says “Gay Dude Here”, but if I did I don’t think it would be a problem. I’ve been there with some lesbian friends of mine that are very open and touchy with each other, you know, no problem showing their affection for each other in public, and no problem there either. I just can’t help but feel there has to be something more going on. Don’t know since I was not there when these people feel they were discriminated against, but I would be the first to stand up for them and support them if I saw it.
My partner and I patronize Maple and Motor about twice a month, and Mr. Perkins is always nice, friendly and VERY talkative (in a good way). I’ve never found him to be the least bit rude and defintely never homophobic or anti-gay. It seems that a lot of gays these days scream homophobia as soon as someone disagrees with them or tells them something they don’t want to hear.
I don’t get it. That email that was sent to Mr. Perkins seemed REALLY vague and didn’t give any specifics. Seems to me that you folks at the Voice should get some more information/facts before putting a headline on your website like that. Make it sound like sensantional journalism. For the record, I also have been to Maple and Motor and has a ,perfectly fine dining experience. I was with a group of friends, some of which were very affectionate with each other in the restaurant and we had no problems at all.
Andrea Grimes works for the Dallas Voice?
These accusations by innuendo are a pathetic excuse for journalism. Neither article contains one single example or even shred of evidence of discrimination. Total non-stories such as these serve only to discount real and hurtful cases of discrimination against our community. Further, you’re potentially harming a small business owner who is attempting to earn a living through hard and honest work, and who is creating jobs in our own backyard. I know one thing for sure: I have never patronized Maple & Motor, but I will make a point to do so in the very near future.
I also have been to M&M on several occasions with my friends without seeing anything negative. I believe Mr. Perkins hit it on the head when he was quoted saying that they don’t kowtow to snottiness. It is definitely not a place to bring attitude, and it’s not a gay birthright to inflict it on others. That said, I also would like to know exactly what was alleged. I know there’s a link to a previous podcast, but I can’t listen to a whole podcast about several topics to get the essential facts on this issue.
I have to say this comes as a huge surprise I go there about twice a month and with someone I might add that is a little out there and Jack is very friendly to us all. It’s a burger joint, you come in you order your food and you eat it. They have rules that keep people from hogging tables, they don’t like there door left open and if it is an issue well they say something. Maybe as a community we should turn our focus on issues that make our community look bad then to go after a guy in a burger joint.
Sounds like some queen just didn’t get a full order of chili fries…..
Never have had an Issue w/ MM. Good burgers, little over priced for just a burger. Rather spend my money on a cheaper and just as good burger @ Hunky’s. If the voice wants to use Its journalistic investigative skills on homophobic burger joints, check out carl’s jr.
I tend to agree with every comment here – including the “I will make it a point to go there”..because I plan on going there too — granted, I don’t plan on going there “looking” for anything other than a good meal, which is more than I can say for some who may read this. Another agreement I have, is that too many people these days feel they’re “entitled”, granted, we are the ones patronizing the establish, and everyone should expect a certain level of service – but that doesn’t mean you have to act like an ass if everything doesn’t go your way – my motto…if you act like an ass, expect to get treated like one, and thats more than likely what happened here – as Jack said – some queen didn’t get exactly what they wanted, and started spitting glitter everywhere.
I agree with every comment except the one from lelaylarue…I didn’t know Hunky’s was cheap. I got the Hawaian Chicken sandwich (which I love), tea, and a dessert (I can’t resist the lemon cake)…tab …over $14.00, I left a dollar tip ( I really hate the tipping for counter service trend), so really over $15. . Anyway back on subject: It looks like everyone is in agreement that M&M delivers friendly and non-homophobic service, and these allegations are BS.
@JackEJett Grimes doesn’t work for the Voice but she’s contributed to the paper.
@Rebecca If I remember correctly, the accusation was that Perkins reacted negatively to two men giving each other a hug. One of the men then went to inform us as well as begin a Facebook page/group calling for a boycott of M&M. That page no longer seems to exist.
Vinny..I am so with you about tipping for counter service and I don’t think I am a tight wad at all. I just feel like this will lead to tipping when buying clothes, grocieries, or on the electric bill.
I assume Rich had more information than he shared or he would not be bashing this small business. Crying wolf and adding a bit of bullying to it, doesn’t seem cool to me and creates a backlash. I recieved a very nice note back from Mr. Perkins who assures me that his business caters to ALL types of customer and ALL or welcome.
it’s just like Sal’s. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re a jerk, they’ll treat you accordingly and not put up with your bad attitude.
Just another dumbass report that the Voice has posted to try and get attention. 1 angry letter or even 2 does not justify trying to bash a local business that seems to be doing well in our community. I have been to M&M many times and have received exceptional service. I am so over the poor journalism that this newspaper is doing. It just seems like you want to be a gossip column more than anything. You are not the Voice of Dallas. You are a sorry excuse for a newspaper.
I read the other article and agree with the owner…if you’re going to go there and cop “Dallitude” they won’t stand for it and tell you to leave….has nothing to do with sexual orientation…but with so many “diva-attitudes” the gay community seems to admire, I can see why it keeps happening.
From the grammar in that email, my guess is some tragic trailer trash went it there thinking she was at Burger Queen and started to demand having everything her way, and when that didn’t happen, threw a hissy and started screamin’ discrimination.
Not every place is a gay bar at 1:00 a.m.
I have never tried this place but will now! I agree with Vinny also on Hunkys! I feel ripped off everytime I go to HUNKYS and spend 12 bucks on a cheesburger fries and coke!! Then you feel like you have to tip on top of that!!! Ridiculous Hunkys used to be all about the gay community now all it does is rip us off! So if you want to boycott something boycott HUNKYS until they lower there prices!
I have been to this Burger Place many times and have always gotten fast service and GREAT BURGERS
and good tea! I tell everyone about it.Every now and then your going to have someone that’s not happy with there order,I ‘am sure they wil make it right if you just ask… Iam just sorry I have to drive all the way to oak lawn to get a good Burger But I will……….