Diners at a Benihana in Torrance, California got way more than their usual chicken fried rice and onion volcano show on Monday night. Instead, they found themselves front-row witnesses to a wild brawl between two restaurant employees that sent dishes flying and customers running.
In a video from the scene, utensils clatter, plates smash, and startled guests scramble from their seats as chaos unfolds in the middle of the dining area. At one point, a man is seen yelling as a security guard struggles to restrain him before finally escorting him out of the restaurant.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
According to Torrance Police Lt. Freddy Ahmad, officers were called to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the suspect was already gone. Police determined the incident began when a manager instructed an employee to leave the restaurant. The employee refused, escalating tensions.
Security was called in to intervene, and that’s when things spiraled out of control. The physical fight wasn’t between the manager and the employee but between the employee and the security guard. The scuffle left the guard injured, and Torrance Fire Department personnel treated him on-site.
Thankfully, no diners were hurt during the melee, though the flying plates and frantic rush to safety painted a tense picture for everyone in the room. Police say no arrests have been made as the investigation continues
Benihana has yet to respond. For now, this dinner-theater-turned-street-fight is leaving diners with one unforgettable story — though probably not the kind of performance they expected with their hibachi meal.
Guess I’ll go to Outback and have a Bloomin Onion!
No matter the time no matter the place,
When its a crime its the same race