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A new restaurant called Foreign Muck, which opened in Cornwall last week, has been accused of being racist and discriminatory.

A man from Saltash, who did not want to give his name, said: “I find the name of the restaurant absolutely outrageous and I know others in the town do too.”

The burger and burrito bar in Fore Street, Saltash, was opened at the end of July by brothers Dean and Danny Thomas, who grew up in the town.

The restaurant’s sign sees the name Foreign Muck designed on a St Piran’s flag.

The complainant told Cornwall Live: “What does that say to people about Cornwall? Having the St Piran’s flag emblazoned with a racist phrase is awful.

“It’s overtly racist and discriminatory. How the owners could think calling it Foreign Muck is anyway near appropriate beggars belief.”

The Saltash resident says “99% of people” he had spoken to in the town about the name “feel uncomfortable” about it.

He has approached both Saltash Town Council and Cornwall Council complaining about the restaurant and bar’s signage which he considers racist.

The authorities haven’t responded to claims of racism, though the angry resident says he was advised to report his concerns to the police.

He added: “The restaurant actually acknowledges the name might upset people on its website, but claiming it’s irony is no excuse for racism.”

Another resident who spoke to us added: “The name is inappropriate and out of order.”

The Thomas brothers have written a page on the Foreign Muck website called “What’s with the name!?”

It states: “When we were kids in Saltash during the early ’80s, we were lucky enough to go out for meals now and again. But we always remember how the old man was a little scared when it came to trying anything new.

“We could only persuade him to join us with the promise there’d be chicken and chips on the ‘English menu’. It wasn’t too long though before he was stealing from our plates and realising what he’d been missing. Since then he’s become a regular at that revolutionary restaurant and was probably there within the last month.

“As a chef, I look at all this as a celebration of how far most of us have come, and obviously a little jab at the old man, and anyone who still does, or used to mutter, ‘I ain’t eating that foreign muck’.

“Here’s to the irony of it all and hoping no one looks too far into it and just sees it as a bit of fun. Not the food just the name.”

The brothers add that the food they’re serving “definitely won’t be muck” and is mainly Mexican and American food, with everything made from scratch, including the tortillas, burger baps and ketchup.

The brothers grew up in Saltash, with Danny remaining in the Cornish town while Dean lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years.

Responding to the accusations of racism, Dean told Cornwall Live: “People with an agenda or closed mind will continue to get upset. But that’s not our intent. It’s about laughing at ourselves and a bit of satire.

“I’ve lived in the States for 20 years and the British are constantly ridiculed with the stereotype of having bland food and bad teeth. I never consider that to be the slightest bit racist, just a bit of banter. Let the ignorant carry on I say.”

While some residents are upset about Foreign Muck, others are lapping up the controversial eatery.

Reviews for Foreign Muck on social media

“Very friendly staff, great value for money! Amazing food and my daughter said that it was the best burger she has ever had! I definitely recommend this place.”

“Great food, nice beer, super friendly staff. Top marks from us.”

“Great food, great atmosphere and great service. Loved it.”

“The mains were fantastic. Meat was cooked to perfection and the homemade sauces very tasty.

“What makes Foreign Muck extra special is the decor, the place looks absolutely fantastic. The whole front of the restaurant opens out onto the decking, a perfect place to sit and have a drink, the restaurant itself is warm and welcoming, seating booths give you privacy if you want it or the long communal bar is a great place to eat and chat."

Follow Lee Trewhela on social media Follow Lee on Twitter, here, or tweet him @LeeTrewhela You can call Lee on 07500 097264 or email him at lee.trewhela@reachplc.com You can read more of Lee's stories, here. To keep up to date with Cornwall Live's latest news, follow us on Facebook here and Twitter here, or visit our homepage at www.cornwalllive.com

“A definite 5 stars from me!! Very reasonably priced too.”

“Had lunch here today with a friend and had the best experience! Really friendly polite service. The food was absolutely amazing! We’ll be back soon – our new favourite place to eat.”