Tanner Paull

I had a baby shower at Tanner Paull/Tom’s Foolery Pub Grill – 6922 West Orchard in January. I usually don’t complain but this experience was to say the very least “horribly racist”. I am a Hispanic professional, married to a white man, and the shower was for my daughter (who happens to be an Afghanistan Veteran). I just don’t want to come across as being racial myself. If there would have been enough time to locate a second location I would have cancelled, and written off the price of the down payment to this facility.Organizing this event was already stressful enough as our party group was of about 60/70 guests of various ethnic groups – Chicago Police Officer (nephew) – Chicago business owner (nephew in law) and Military Sergeants all knowing my daughter- Brother (Navy Vet) – Brother in law (Viet Nam Vet).
The evening(one week prior) I met with Tom (owner) with the future In-laws began as follows:
(Taking place in the basement bar area) the owner went on to present his “schpeel” explaining what comes with the rental of the facility. As he goes through he asks what kind of party is being held. We begin to tell him that it is a baby shower. He proceeds by replying “Good, cuz I sometimes get these groups of Mexicans in here, and they tear up the place”. Being Mexican I held my tongue, but he could tell by my facial reaction and the future in laws that we were uncomfortable with his remark. He then looked at me and said “I could tell you were of THAT group, you see I said it nicely”. I still did not say anything and could tell this gentleman, had a tad of a FRUMPY attitude so I let it go, as someone needed to remain professional and grown up about this. Again, as I stated that it was too late to cancel and locate another establishment that would accommodate the amount we were expecting. While he is saying this, what seemed to look like a hispanic gentleman, walks in and says “hey Tom” while Tom responds back with a smile.
Finishing up that verbal interaction, we ask if we could see the hall. The in-laws that came with me and as we followed him we conversed of the uncomfortable feeling they had of the use of words he had just used. Proceeding upstairs, he shows the hall and again we discuss chairs, tables, where’s and what’s of the planning. As we leave the hall, he stops on the landing just outside of the hall and coat room. He says “are you going to have any music, cuz those Mexicans just blare the music so loud you can’t hear anything”. Followed by “see here is where they allow their Mexican kids to just run around”. Having enough I speak up “ Tom I think now I should be offended”. “My family is NOT going to trash your place” and I proceed to list the professions of my relatives, then suddenly stop as I realized that there is nothing I am going to say to this man, as it is clear he has some issue(s) with Mexican people. Tom says nothing, turns around and walks down the stairs. He made his point I am guessing to us.
I have very thick skin to situations such as these, as my husband (who is white) and I (married 38 years) have been through many similar experiences. We believe that we are much better that those that spew verbal ignorance, however, we also realize that someone in Tom’s position, who rents his facility should place better steps, in selecting the caliber of people (regardless of their ethnic background) he want to rents his facility to. After all his establishment is a hall and he should do a much better job, at perhaps having stricter rules on the volume of the music (which we didn’t have), including on what is strictly expected if children are part of the event. I am not condoning the destruction (if any) by ANY customers that rent his facility.
Bottom line, in the business such as he is in, he SHOULD be more professional, and BETTER at his selection of words when discussing events and (racially) LABELING customers to incoming PAYING customers. He would not have his establishment if it weren’t for any PAYING customers. I am not certain but his establishment is a VFW facility affiliated with the Service? If it is, I am more disgusted, as we my daughters husband in Afghanistan, in an IED explosion, and thankfully my daughter was returned to us, who now suffers from PTSD. Through their sacrifice, this man has the freedom to spew such disgust from his mouth. We should be ashamed of any person that disrespectfully speaks of any nationality in such a manner.
I apologize for my anger, and I just wanted to report it. I will never, EVER recommend this facility to anyone.