SAN ANTONIO – An Italian restaurant owner is asking why someone would leave what appears to be a racist message on a receipt after dining at his business Friday.
Fernando Franco had no idea lunch with his wife at his own restaurant, Di Frabo, would end with the discovery of the note by an employee.
"The manager came to me ... and he said that last couple they left this note," Franco said.
Franco has owned the restaurant near the Dominion for more than 1 1/2 years.
The handwritten message on the receipt read, "The food was tasty, and the service attentive. However the owner is 'Mexican.' We will not return. 'America first.'"
"I told my staff the good thing is that they said that the food was tasty and the service was attentive so I guess that's a good thing," Franco said.
The restaurant owner also has two restaurants in Mexico and says he can't control where he was born.
Ever since a picture of the receipt was shared on Facebook, Franco's gotten tons of calls, texts and messages about what happened. He said he's never experienced anything like this before.
"You feel a little bit disappointed," Franco said. "A little bit like you don't know exactly how to react."
Franco believes today's political climate is making people more vocal, but in the end he says he is just trying to make a living for his family.
Franco has an idea but isn't exactly sure who wrote the note. However, he invites them to return as a customer whenever they'd like.