White Springs Cafe — Restaurant in Arcadia

In my nearly 50 years on this earth and almost 30 years of dining out, this was the first time I've ever been banned from a restaurant.

I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and make a point to support vegetarian restaurants. Of all places, I'd expect a vegetarian restaurant to treat me with at least basic respect--just as I show them.

I never expected a situation to escalate like this, but it turned hostile quickly. Wow.

I always tip well--at least $5 minimum--because I was a server for two years. I know what it's like to rely on tips to survive.

But this place? They called the cops on me.

May 10, 2025. Saturday. It was 100 degrees outside.

I ordered nearly $40 worth of food after tax: Tom Yum noodles ($19--wow) and a chicken skewer ($15).

You be the judge.

I asked for a glass of water and sat outside. Three minutes passed--no water. I walked back inside, then returned outside. A few more minutes went by, so I went in and got my own water.

After another five minutes, I went back in, just looking around. I was bored and thinking maybe I'd check out the menu again. Then I walked back outside.

After another five minutes, I came back in and spoke to a staff member--very friendly and cheerful.

I told her, "I'm not pushy, take your time." Then a small Asian woman popped her head out, looked at me, and asked, "What?"

I could immediately feel the tension and attitude from her. I repeated calmly, "I'm not pushy, take your time."

She said something like, "You wait outside. Sit outside. Don't come back in."

I felt disrespected, but I walked out.

I considered canceling the order right then--but decided to let it slide.

A few minutes later, my Tom Kha soup was ready. I went back in and spoke to the same staff member, telling her that the owner had been disrespectful.

Me: "I don't like the attitude she gave me." Owner: "I don't need your money. You're banned. I don't need your attitude. " (She then told the staff to call the cops and issue a refund.) Me: "What attitude? I've been coming here for years. What did I do? I am a paying customer" Owner: "You're in my restaurant. You broke my rules." Me: "What rules did I break?" Owner: "You're on camera. Leave. I'm calling the cops now."

The owner, an older Asian woman I'd never seen before, was aggressive and full of attitude. Was she being racist? I'm an Asian male--and unfortunately, some Asian women are racist toward Asian men.

Even the water felt unequal. I got a tiny to-go container, while the two white guys who walked in around the same time got larger containers.

Earlier, I had poked around the restaurant looking for someone to ask for water again and got ignored, so I walked out.

It was shocking. I've been coming here for 2-3 years. They were always nice. I thought the owner was a young Asian woman--not this rude, older lady. This was my first time ever seeing her.

And it's not the first time they've banned customers, apparently. Why not ban white guys too? You wouldn't dare. Cowards. Racists.

Go to Noodle World in Alhambra. Food comes out in 5 minutes. No attitudes from the restaurant. You can substitute tofu for meat. I have been getting Chicken Tom Kah noodle soup with tofu and no chicken. Price is much...

This place White Springs Cafe Discriminates, I ordered my food and paid, also left a tip on a to go order. I was asked if I wanted a complimentary Ginger Tea which I said yes. I waited for the tea 5min into me coming in. I was asked to wait outside, and they will bring my food out, so I went to seat in my car, got off about 15 to 20min later to check if my food was ready and it wasn't. I was okay with it, not in a rush, I already know it takes awhile I've been here before. I was just checking I didn't say anything to them just went inside but again they told me to wait outside and again I went to seat in the car...for another 15min, I go check again and wait outside 10 min more, when then I see them calling me in, and then for no reason I was asked not to return, me or my family. I always go by myself and order it to go...I asked them why? And what did I do! 3 ladies were standing beside the register and only the owner was talking I don't know the owner or saw her when I was ordering, I went to check their ig and that's how I know it's the owner, the other 2 were just quite, didn't say a word, when I asked her, what did I do she replied "you know what you did" I said no I don't know!! , I was outside waiting for my food. I was confused and in shock, I repeatedly kept asking her and telling her I didn't do anything!! and to tell me what I did, but she just kept saying, that I knew and honestly I didn't!! I was outside all that time, only the 5min for the Ginger tea. she kept telling me she didn't want me to return and to leave. I couldn't understand I was waiting outside seating in the car!! I am going to reach out to ArcadiaChambers to have them investigate why White Springs Cafe Discriminates!! I also found more people on the Yelp reviews, I guess am not the only one that has been accused of doing absolutely nothing!! For me I was waiting in the car.... THE ONLY THING I KNOW I DID WRONG WAS TO APOLOGIZE TO HER FOR NOT KNOWING WHAT I DID!!! For this for what happened to me I don't recommend this place, I wouldn't want anyone else to go through it! To be accused of not knowing what I or we did that was...

After TWO YEARS of our family supporting this cafe/restaurant, they suddenly BANNED us from eating there. We weren’t just every now and then customers either, we were REGULARS. Despite their food being pricy and the lack of seating because it’s a small place, we thought the food tasted good so we went to them and always ordered a lot. We even purchased food trays from them for a party before. It would be understandable if we were ever rude but we’ve always tried to be respectful and kind. Our family always complimented them on their food too. We were never overly rowdy or did anything inappropriate.

This happened today when my fam went to go order food to-go because my brother asked us to pick him up something. That’s when they dropped the bomb that we were no longer welcome. When my sister asked for a reason, she was denied one. They said “we should know” what we did. We DON’T and that’s why we’re asking??

For over 2 years we ate and chatted with them without issue and out of nowhere they claim they’re uncomfortable around us and don’t wanna serve us? They refused to give us an explanation and said that we should figure it out. Only when we have and came back with a sincere apology would they consider letting us eat with them again. EXCUSE ME? Nah. Whether they give us a reason or not or it turns out to be a misunderstanding, we won’t be coming back. It has left a sour taste in our mouth. There’s plenty of vegan/vegetarian Thai places out there OR regular Thai places that can make dishes vegan/vegetarian. Seeing two other recent 1 star reviews also has me seeing that they’ve got their own issues...