The co-owner of Tuscaloosa institution Nick’s Original Filet House, also known as Nick’s in the Sticks, is facing criticism after video emerged Saturday of customers accusing him of using a racial slur.
A man in the video confronted the co-owner after he allegedly used a racial slur to describe Black customers. The video did not show the man using the word.
However, both the white man who confronted the co-owner and his Black friends said they heard him say the word.
“You messed up, man,” the customer says.
The co-owner, identified as Jack Moltz by Tuscaloosa Thread, denied using the word and called the accusations “bullshit.”
The owners did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AL.com.
According to people in the video, a group of Black customers had gathered at the iconic steakhouse for a man’s 22nd birthday. When their white friend joined them at the table, the owner asked if he was going to sit with those n-words, the man said.
He got mad and confronted the owner outside, where the video was filmed.
After the video posted, a small group of of people gathered outside the restaurant holding signs accusing the owners of racism.
Nick’s the the Sticks has been operating at its current location since the 1950s, serving steaks, shrimp and a signature drink known as the Nicodemus.
People have flocked to Facebook and Yelp to leave negative reviews of the restaurant since the video began going viral. Nick’s owners have not yet responded to the accusations made on social media.
