MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Preslee's: Outrage as Texas restaurant refuses to apologize for signs mocking Nancy Pelosi, Biden

Preslee's sparked backlash after posting photos on social media showing their signs reading 'Let's Go Brandon' and a joke on Pelosi

Social media was inundated with reactions after the owner of a restaurant in Houston, Texas declared he won't back down to "cancel culture renegades" after posting signs mocking President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Preslee's, based in Houston, sparked backlash after posting photos on social media showing their sign mocking Biden and Pelosi. Their marquee sign has been used to post memes, jokes, and "funny quotes" pertaining to the failures of the current administration, such as 'Let's go, Brandon!' The owner requested his name not to be used during his conversation with Fox Digital.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Let's go, Brandon': Kid yells anti-Biden slogan while kicking off Super Dirt race

Nancy Pelosi slammed for joking at event on day soldiers killed in Kabul blast

"No mask needed," one sign at Preslee's read. "Unless you look like Nancy Pelosi." It was updated this month to also include "Let's Go Brandon!" below its jab at Pelosi. The posts were slammed as misogynistic by critics, many of whom allegedly left voicemails for the owners saying they hoped "their business loses all their employees" and they go bankrupt.

"We are heading into Crawfish season and then peak patio weather and won’t be slowed down from the cancel culture renegades," the co-owner of Preslee’s Southern-style restaurant in Houston Heights anonymously told Fox Digital on Wednesday, January 5. "It's about pro-freedom and our right to run our small business." He added, "The backlash we received at first was a little overwhelming while dealing with a busy restaurant. Lots of voicemails and private messages."

According to the owner, most of the negative reviews came from people who had never dined at the establishment but felt "the need to jump on the bandwagon. He said the restaurant's Instagram page was banned without explanation. However, "in the last few days, we’ve received overwhelming support from local and also other cities." Addressing people who "slandered" the restaurant, the owner stated, "We have never been busier!"

Reactions on social media were mixed, with some applauding the restaurant's defiance to Covid restrictions. "Stand your ground, Houston Preslee's! I'll stand w/ you! That sign is nothing compared to a certain Speaker's behavior on national TV during a State of the Union Address. Y'all remember that one? I do. I was embarrassed for her and our country," one tweeted.

"Just booked large party! This is awesome! Thank you Preslee's for standing up for what you believe. Ignore the haters. They are never happy! Pitch the mask and go live life!" someone else added

Others, however, disapproved of the messaging. "Why yes, I’d like a side of misogyny and Covid protocol defiance with my chicken-fried steak," one quipped.

"I have come to peace with Preslee's and any business that wants to flaunt its lack of adherence to basic public health guidelines (or its dumb political opinions.) Just tell on yourselves, conservative businesses. We love to see it," another chimed in.

Preslee's opened in 2019 and were able to pull through lockdowns and restrictions without laying off "a single employee". The owner said the signs were a public rebuke of the Biden administration and the mandates in the wake of the pandemic. "I think it's pretty safe to say our current government has failed us and other small business owners. More than 150,000 small businesses have shut down from mandates, but this is not about politics. It's about basic rights that some have seem to have forgotten. If we can make it through a pandemic and actually thrive we can surely handle this," he said. "We’ll have more material posted soon, so stay tuned," he added.  

According to the Houston Chronicle, Preslee's is one of three restaurants owned and operated by Piper Hospitality Group, which was founded in 2019 by Houston brothers Brandon and Justin Piper. Other restaurants owned by the duo are Piper's Cantina on Magnum Road and Piper's BBQ & Beer on N. Shepherd Drive. The chain describes itself as a "real Southern experience for the whole family".