In Phoenix, Arizona, a beloved Mexican torta restaurant, Tortas El Manantial, is currently facing some unexpected turbulence thanks to the political musings of one of the owner’s daughters. Karla Barbosa has made headlines after publicly declaring her support for Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” movement on Instagram. It seems she’s got a flair for the dramatic, rocking a MAGA hat while advocating for her views during a time when protests against Trump’s immigration policies are heating up across the nation.
According to Karla, a greater America is just around the corner – or so she hopes. “Trust the process. The United States will be great again,” she posted. However, things took a nosedive as her father, Marco Antonio Barbosa, the owner of Tortas El Manantial, found himself in a bit of a pickle. The restaurant, which has long been a favorite spot for the local community, is now attracting backlash as folks express their discontent over the family’s political stance.
Karla’s Instagram shenanigans ignited a firestorm, leading to calls for a boycott of the restaurant. While her father attempted to step in with a video to defend Karla’s position, he stopped short of denouncing Trump. This half-hearted attempt at damage control did little to quell the anger, and ratings for the restaurant plummeted to a lowly 2.5 stars on Yelp. Ouch.
Negative reviews are pouring in as local patrons voice their frustrations. Marco Antonio is understandably anxious about the impact this may have on his livelihood and the well-being of his employees. He stated, “What worries me the most is that this has reached the point of threatening the business, and that concerns me for my team.”
As the Yelp storm brews, posted comments range from critiques about the restaurant’s food quality to harsh reprimands about the family’s political views. One reviewer wasted no time sharing their dissatisfaction, saying, “The torta was cold, the food lacked flavor, and the service was slow. I won’t be coming back!” as they slapped one star on the restaurant’s profile.
Karla has since made her Instagram account private, likely a smart move given the deluge of negative comments. Meanwhile, another reviewer, Gabriela, chimed in with her own two cents, noting, “It’s too bad that a worker raised his daughters with that mentality. I guess the restaurant has gone downhill, and the food isn’t good anymore.”
During Trump’s time in office, his administration ramped up deportation efforts, trailing a cloud of controversy and anguish for many in the immigrant community. So, it makes sense why almost everyone in the Phoenix area seems to be weighing in on this feisty social media fracas.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, as Marco Antonio rightly pointed out, politics can be a double-edged sword, particularly in a community built on shared experiences. In light of this spicy saga, perhaps it’s wise to consider that sometimes keeping things under wraps might be the best way to stay in the good graces of your customers.
What do you think? Should personal political beliefs influence business operations? Let us know your thoughts below! Until next time, take care!