L.A. restaurants facing a storm online

Inside the allegations of discrimination at Great White and Gran Blanco

- STEPHANIE BREIJO

THE RESTAURANT Gran Blanco, far left, has had new ownership since June.

What happens when a restaurant is accused of racial discrimination against Asians and others in viral social media posts? The operators and employees of Great White in Los Angeles are finding out.

The local chain of popular all-day cafes is facing allegations of discrimination after intensifying social media videos claim that Great White segregates customers based on ethnicity and race, which its owners and some employees deny.

Restaurateurs Sam Cooper and Sam Trude operate four locations of their Australian cafe in Venice, Larchmont Village, Brentwood and West Hollywood (the latter of which is also referred to as Great White Melrose for its location on Melrose Avenue).

The Times could not independently verify the discrimination allegations against Great White beyond the verbal claims.

But their spread online sparked chatter of similar alleged practices at another restaurant formerly operated by the Great White owners, Gran Blanco, which has been under new ownership since June 1. When asked about the separate claims, the restaurateurs also called those false.

The Times spoke with nine past and current employees of Great White and Gran Blanco, the Venice restaurant and bar formerly owned by Trude and Cooper.

Some employees said they were told to use prejudicial practices such as turning away “ethnic” customers, while others refute the claims. (Gran Blanco's current owners also issued a separate statement last week saying the restaurant is welcoming to all.) The recent backlash began with a video posted to Instagram Sept. 29 from a woman sitting at Great White.