Houston couple say restaurant staff wrote racial slur on their bill

A Houston couple said they were distressed after finding a racial slur written on the back of their check while eating at a Becks Prime restaurant. They said an employee admitted writing it and laughed, describing it as something staff did in the kitchen; the incident has prompted calls for accountability and changes to staff training.

The couple, Melanie Mathews and LaToya Harris-Mathews, found the slur at the Meyerland location on 16 August. Becks Prime said it apologised and fired the employee that evening, then dismissed a second worker after an internal review. The couple said they were offered flowers and gift cards, which they did not want, and their civil rights attorney said she may file a lawsuit if negotiations do not proceed in good faith.