The last thing most people want to hear while dining out is a crying baby or a screaming toddler. You are paying for your food and the chance to eat in the restaurant. It is decidedly difficult to enjoy either while your eardrums are under assault.

But is it right to deny noisy children entry into a restaurant altogether?

Old Fisherman’s Grotto, a restaurant in Monterey, California, certainly thinks so. And some people apparently agree with them.

Old Fisherman’s Grotto in California doesn’t allow loud children to dine inside their restaurant, and that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a while — Emily Orlando (@eorlan1) May 15, 2018

The establishment has recently been the focus of a small controversy because of their stated policy on loud children in their dining room. A parent posted a picture of Old Fisherman’s Grotto’s child policy in a parenting Facebook group.

It states:

“NO STROLLERS NO HIGH CHAIRS NO BOOSTER CHAIRS Children crying or making loud noises are a distraction to other diners, and as such are not allowed in the dining room”

The restaurant specifically bans children who are “crying or making loud noises” and also warns patrons no strollers, high chairs or booster chairs are welcome.

Owner Chris Shake explained his motivations to INSIDER:

“We decided that it was important that our guests enjoy a great meal and not be distracted by children crying in our dining room.”

Since 2009, Old Fisherman’s Grotto banned strollers and high chairs in the dining room because they made “it difficult to have full access to get to and around tables.” The reference to booster chairs serves to let customers know the restaurant supplies neither high chairs nor booster seats for customer use before they enter the restaurant. “Disruptive children” were also made unwelcome in 2011.

Shake says the sign stating their “Children’s Policy,” acts as a convenient deterrent:

“We have never refused families with children but often times they do not come in because we are very clear about our policy. If their children become disruptive in the dining room, they will be asked to leave.”

Shake also wants to be clear, however, that not ALL children are banned from the establishment—only the unruly ones:

“We have many families who dine with us with their children who are well behaved and understand our policy with respect to other diners.”

Had a great time speaking w/Monte Bella Elementary School students. Their principal, Dr. Roberto Nuñez, rewards kids every year for good behavior by bringing them from Salinas to the Old Fisherman’s Grotto for lunch. Thanks to Dr. Nuñez &Chris Shake for their service to our home! pic.twitter.com/fs3UAeBZZr — Rep. Jimmy Panetta (@RepJimmyPanetta) June 6, 2018

Though Shake claims the wording on the sign has been cleared by the restaurant’s attorney as legal, that isn’t stopping parents like Angela Espinoza, the mother of a 19-month-old boy who posted the sign to Facebook, from taking issue with it:

“The sign is discriminating toward any children who need a booster seat and younger no matter what … I also feel it’s the wording, it’s not nice at all. Maybe ‘adults only’ would be more understandable.”

@KTVU I'd definitely go there….some ppl don't discipline and allow horrible behavior, thinking it's cute. — junglebear (@elfountains) July 30, 2014

On Yelp, people who went to the restaurant with noisy children, such as Robin M., verified the sign is not just decoration and employees make no apologies for those who ignore it:

“At one point, another waitress told us people were complaining about our kids and could they be quiet. I’ve never been told to hush my kids before. When I made a comment to the waitress she told me there was a sign outside with rules for children … They are apparently not joking. She was not just unapologetic but incredibly rude about the whole incident.”

#OPINION: Old Fisherman's Grotto in CA is in the hot seat because of this sign. They've banned kids making loud noises or crying from their dining room. The sign has been up for years but has recently gotten more attention. Reactions are mixed online. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/wOJtQF5mOc — Charlene Cristobal (@charcristobal) May 15, 2018

Winnie T. commented:

“The service here is the worst. If you try to come here with kids, they will rudely turn you away … no shame about it either.”

But one informal poll on Twitter back in May showed 52% approve of a noisy children ban, 32% approve of it in some circumstances and only 16% disagreed with it.

(2/2) #OPINION: Some say they won't eat there anymore because of the policy. Others like the policy, saying their meals have been ruined by screaming kids & their parents not doing anything about it.

Would you like to see loud kids banned from restaurants? — Charlene Cristobal (@charcristobal) May 15, 2018

Of course, other customers at Old Fisherman’s Grotto don’t believe the policy is discrimination or a big deal. Alondra J. confirmed children are welcome and wrote on Yelp:

“This is what got me to go into this restaurant! Just the thought that I would be able to have a peaceful meal with no kids yelling, sometimes its needed. In all seriousness, people need to not get so hurt by this. There was definitely kids inside the restaurant when we dined in.”

Good for them, I would definitely eat there. — Teddy G (@teddy_iron) May 11, 2018

Shake doesn’t believe the restaurant has been hurt by his noisy children policy or the resulting controversy surrounding it:

“What we have found regarding those who write negative reviews — mostly on Yelp —about our policy are those who have not dined here, but are offended by the sign and our policy. What the Yelp reviewers don’t realize is that when they write a negative comment about our policy, they are helping us promote our children policy and the quiet dining we offer.”

Today Good Morning America did a story on The Grotto's Children policy. Wow! Can you believe how big this has become? Great positive story…. https://t.co/LTI3R3CfZo — OldFishermansGrotto (@OldFishGrotto) May 20, 2018

No matter what you think of it, Shake says the policy is here to stay:

“The policy has worked out very well for our guests and our employees. Many of our guests comment that our policy is the reason they dined with us.”

H/T – Insider, Fox 11