Memphis restaurant owner defends denying service to National Guard members

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A Midtown Memphis restaurant owner is defending his decision to deny service to National Guard members working as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Miles Tamboli, the owner of Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, confirmed reports of the decision Wednesday.

Under state and federal law, it is legal for private businesses to refuse service based on customers’ occupations. The Civil Rights Act does, however, prohibit the refusal of service based on other factors such as race, religion, disability, or age.

Tamboli told Action News 5 that he and his business have received responses from the community filled with “hatred and vitriol.”

He declined an interview but issued a statement explaining the decision:

He said his refusal was not directed at the individual Guard members themselves, but at the National Guard’s presence in Memphis.

He says the National Guard has made Memphis harder to live in.

“I love this country and I love this city, and that is exactly why I made this call,” Tamboli’s statement said. “What the task force has actually done is make this city harder to live in.”

Tamboli also referenced the recent killing of Tyrin Johnson, who was shot and killed by National Guard troops, according to the TBI.

Since the incident, the business has faced backlash and calls for boycotting. But Tamboli’s has also seen an influx of support from the community, including from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who commented “great place!” on a Tuesday post featuring a menu item.

Customers at Tamboli’s on Wednesday who spoke with Action News 5 said backing businesses that reflect their values matters.

“I would like to support them because they are standing up to the unlawful occupation of Memphis, I would say,” one customer told Action News 5.

Another customer said, “A business has a right to refuse or provide service to whoever they wish, and we are in support of the Memphis community as a whole, and this is a great restaurant. We just feel like it is our job to support the things we think are right.”

State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis) posted to social media Wednesday, saying he is against Tamboli’s turning away the National Guard:

Tamboli’s is not the first business to deny service to the Memphis Safe Task Force. The Sammich Spot also gained headlines after refusing service to task force members earlier this year.

Tamboli said a group of businesses is taking a “public commitment to stand against the military policing our streets, an act of patriotism.”

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