Panama Joe's - Long Beach — Restaurant in Long Beach

Customers beware: Panama Joe's is purposely and deliberately ripping off customers. They are up-charging more than the published prices in the menu at their discretion and not informing customers of the higher price.

This Friday evening, I went to PJ's for drinks. Looked at their menu, which had a margarita for $15.75. When the bill came, they charged me $18.50. The higher price was not published anywhere in the menu nor was I informed of the higher price. When I inquired with the waitress, she stated, "No, we can charge anything we want because there's a print in the menu that says we have the right to change prices at any time" She never once informed us of the higher price for the drink. I then spoke to the supervisor, who said, "Nope, we reserve the right to change prices at any time and we do not need to inform you of the new price." It was pretty clear that this was a deliberate practice by PJ's.

This is a blatantly fraudulent practice ripping off customers.

This is in direct violation of California consumer rights law (enacted in October 2023) SB 478, an amendment to the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), known as the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees” statute which in basic terms states: "the price a Californian sees should be the price they pay.” The price listed must be the full price the consumer is required to pay. If there are additional charges, the company is required that any mandatory fee or charge is “clearly and conspicuously displayed, with an explanation of its purpose, on any advertisement, menu, or other display that contains the price of the food or beverage item. This was not displayed or communicated in any way.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the CLRA entitles a consumer to actual damages (which are at least $1,000 in class actions), restitution, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. See Cal. Civ. Code § 1780. Additionally, if certain requirements are met, senior citizens and disabled persons can recover up to $5,000. See Cal. Civ. Code § 1780(b). Companies also face the prospect of government enforcement, which could result in civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, as conduct that violates the new provisions of the CLRA may violate California’s Unfair Competition Law.

Imagine over the course of one evening day part - hypothetically 300 customers that are paying 18% more than the published prices how much Panama Joes is making in additional revenues? Multiply that all day parts and it's a significant amount of' fraud.

I will escalate this to consumer rights bureaus in Long Beach in due course. In the meantime, everybody be aware of their...

Hello my name is Donna and I am African American woman I'm saying that in the beginning for a reason you will see in a few why that was important Today I had to come into tBank of America in Belmont shores but when I came out the bank about 4:30 my car would not start. I was here from out of town from Nevada I knew no one around me no one to asked for help then all of a sudden a man came down the sidewalk, he was wearing a cap that said make america great again but that did not stop him from helping me and give me some direction. He and his wife was very helpful he said although my car is new and I don't have jumper cables, but if you go into Panama JoeS the people in there are very nice and they're very friendly they will help you find someone to give you a jump. I did exactly what he said once I approached the podium ask what the specials were. I was greeted by Leslie I told her what my situation was she said we will help you. she then informed Arlen who then asked Jason R between the 3 of them they got together Jason R called a roommate to make sure they had jumper cables because my car would not start and I had none. But in the meantime I had the carny asadah tacos I have a top shelf Margarita into round my day out the 3 of those guys Leslie Arlene and Jason R finish my day out by helping me get my car started the morrow of the story is don't judge people from the outside don't just people at all just because the man was a trump supporter did not mean you do not have a heart he was very helpful and I could see if he could a start my car is self he would have .I'm just glad I was there and he was there because I was able to get the car started thanks the Panama Joe's caribg and helpful staff I definitely made some friends i found a great place to eat I am very thankful grateful and blessed thank...

My friend and I went on Saturday, 11/17/18 to Panama Joe's. But we weren't allowed inside. The gentleman at the front door, a black male in his mid 30s asked us for our IDs and we complied. I pulled mine out and my friend was pulling out her ID and in the middle of explaining that she had just gone to the DMV earlier that day and had her old ID and the new DMV receipt, however he cut her off and said, "Unfortunately, we won't be able to let you in. It looks like you've already had too much, and the night ends here."

I was very confused, we had just stepped out of our Lyft, the night was just about to begin. Neither one of us was drunk, I'm not sure how our actions were misconstrued as being drunk. We were both standing upright, we were both alert, and we weren't being loud. We're both under 5'2", we're small women and it would be hard for us to be loud. There was a couple behind us, and the guy left us so embarrassed that we said okay and turned away. There would be no point in arguing, I'm sure that any type of questioning would be misinterpreted as 'they were being belligerent' so we just left. He turned away two paying customers.

So we soberly walked to another restaurant and spent our evening and money there.

I still don't understand what we may have done to come off as sloppy or inebriated. Other than rubbing my arms because it was chilly, I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. And my friend and I were quietly chatting seconds before approaching the door, it's not as if we were climbing bus benches or loudly joking. The only other aspect is that I'm a Hispanic, brown-skinned woman. My friend is a white woman. The gentleman at the front may just be racist and not want brown-skinned people inside of a Mexican cantina to ruin the aesthetic.

We'll comply with your wishes and we won't...