Chocolaterie Stam — Restaurant in Lafayette

I’ve truly never had an experience quite like this at any place I’ve visited — and it’s really disappointing, especially from a business we’ve supported since they opened here in Lafayette.

It was 104° out. My autistic son had been in the car most of the day after we dropped my husband off at the airport, took two of our kids to a horse camp over an hour and a half away, then had ninja camp, a playdate drop-off — just one of those long parenting days. So to surprise him and lift his spirits, we stopped in, like we often do when we’re in town.

He was excited, bouncing a bit by the glass display — nothing destructive or out of hand, just sensory movement that, if you know autism, isn’t unusual. He picked out a bright purple treat he was thrilled about. Then he walked over to the counter, curious, and placed his hands on one of the chocolate brittle displays.

Yes, his movements are fast and sometimes unpredictable — but he didn’t break anything. He didn’t throw anything. He didn’t take anything. And yet the barista yelled across the shop: “Hey, don’t touch that stuff — your parents don’t want to pay for it!”

I had already ordered three more cones, but I canceled them immediately and only paid for the one I handed my son. And then we left.

That kind of reaction toward any child would have been inappropriate, but especially toward a child on the spectrum — it was completely out of line. If someone truly can’t recognize or show patience for neurodivergent behavior, especially in a family-focused business, that’s a serious issue.

My family owns and operates two small businesses right here in Lafayette — we’ve been part of this community for over 30 years. I’ve never once seen a child treated like that by a staff member in any business, and I won’t support one that does. We won’t be returning.

Edit..That response is completely inaccurate—100%. Not only was that not what was said, but the tone and delivery were far from calm. That makes it even more clear why I will never return.

And how dare you imply my child was unattended? I have ten children, and none of them have ever been left unattended or broken anything anywhere we’ve been. This particular child is autistic—yes, he is energetic and expressive, but he is never destructive. And if anything were ever damaged, we would take full responsibility, no question.

But the fact remains: he didn’t break anything. He didn’t even do anything wrong. Your claim about “another broken chocolate” is a flat-out lie, and yelling across the counter to him that “his mom probably doesn’t want to pay for broken stuff” was not only inappropriate, it was deeply disrespectful.

Your response proves exactly what you're denying: you singled out my child based on his behavior and made assumptions about us. And now, you've doubled down by misrepresenting what actually happened. I have zero respect left for how this...

Not a place for kids. 😥 After waiting for 15 mins (while they finished up 1 customer with a drink and a gentleman we walked in with us) with 4 excited boys who did extremely well waiting so long for ice cream! They waited and sat and talked while we waited our turn. We ate the treats (we all enjoyed what we had). While finishing there was only ourselves and another women in the store. The boys were finishing and talking and getting a little loud asking for more (Normal kids behavior). None of the children were even out of their seats, just talking a little loud with excited voices. The guy working comes over and says “You are all being to loud, please be quite.” Needless to say they clearly don’t need or want business with kids. That’s fine we will take our business elsewhere. But families be prepared to be supper quite even when the place is empty! 🤦‍♀️ Sad to write this because I know we will no longer be going back. We had brought in 2 new customers with us this day, they will not be returning as well (as they both could not believe what we were told.) If you don’t have kids, enjoy!...

Now, full disclosure. I don't like chocolate. At least not to anything close to the degree that some do, where for them chocolate is a way of life, like religion.

With that out of the way Stam is exactly what I remember from chocolate shops in Europe, where at least when I was in Belgium places like this were as ubiquitous as McDonalds are here. (yes I am aware that Stam is the sister location of one in Amsterdam and that the Netherlands and Belgium are different places)

Now, if you are even mildly pleased by chocolate this is the place to go. The staff is great, and the chocolate selection is beyond compare, if you can't find something to enjoy there you didn't look through all of the chocolate they have.

Also, just order the hot chocolate. I won't go so far as to say it will change your life, but if nothing else it will be some of the best hot chocolate you ever have.

Go, do, take a date or just your self. You won't be...