Steakhouse [Forced] To Close, Ending Tradition For Wounded War Vets

D.C. Channel 9 WUSA ^ | 4/14/06 | Doug Buchanan

[Coop]

A two-year tradition for wounded war vets is about to go by the wayside. A downtown DC steak house that’s catered to injured troops every Friday night is about to close.

Fran O’Brien’s landlord [Hilton] is forcing out the steakhouse of the same name.

“We're not feeling very good about leaving and especially the Friday night dinner,” O’Brien said.

With the restaurant soon to close, so too will go a hang-out spot that troops have been able to call home while healing, if only for a few hours every week.

In a statement from Hilton hotels, a spokesperson writes: "this is a business decision whereby Hilton Hotels is exploring several options to utilize this space."

But the decision impacts more than just the business that's getting the boot.

A Hilton hotel spokesperson say they are -- on some level -- hoping to keep the Friday night alive without Fran O’Brien’s.

[Mo1]

They didn't want the vets there. There is no other plausible explanation.

I agree it's the real reason

But that lame excuse also just opened themselves up for a disability discrimination lawsuit

[68 grunt]

I travel. I used to stay at Hilton's (occasionally, among other top hotels). There are alternatives and I'll use 'em. Here's a hand salute to a tradition. Here's a finger to the ending of it.

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[Coop]

Could you please take the time to send an E-mail or two, and perhaps make a phone call? Information in above posts. Thank you.

[Coop]

I used to stay at Hilton's (occasionally, among other top hotels). There are alternatives and I'll use 'em.

Please let Hilton know that. There is a chance they could change this awful policy. We've seen it work before.

[null and void]

"this is a business decision whereby Hilton Hotels is exploring several options to utilize this space."

IOW, we don't have a clue what to do with this space, but we're going to kick your sorry asses out and hope we think of something.

Did I get the subtext right?

What do I win?

[Coop]

Thanks to everyone for contacting Hilton and spreading this outrageous story.

[Drango]

honest personal injury lawyer

Oxymoron.

[68 grunt]

Wilco. I started already, but discretion made me 'rethink' my words ...

[Coop]

Understood. I've been polite (with some effort), because I really do want them to read and respond. [fingers crossed] Semper Fi!

[68 grunt]

I shoulda said 'making me rethink my words'.

[USNA74]

I'm not defending the Hilton here, but my wife works books hotels all the time for association clients that require ADA rooms and not all hotels are ADA-compliant, and I'm not sure that the law requires them to be. Legal folks can chime in here but to the best my limited knowledge here, the ADA compliance issue comes into play only with new public properties or renovation situations.

[LucyJo]

Absolutely...Thank you!!!

[em2vn]

Mr.Clinton? Please,I didn't say your parents weren't married did I?
How can FR be so supportative of an employrer firing its workers and then outsourcing the jobs but not supportative of a landload wishing to use its property as it wishes?

[Coop]

How can FR be so supportative of an employrer firing its workers and then outsourcing the jobs but not supportative of a landload wishing to use its property as it wishes?

How can you be so against conservatives voicing their opinions against an idiotic and vindictive (anti military) business decision, and taking their money elsewhere? Thanks for the bump.

[patton]

The hilton Gold number is

1 800 548 8690

I am out of here - happy easter, folks.

[spoiler2]

How about switching to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse?

There are two in DC, one at the Convention Center.

Tell Sean Hannity about this situation, I'm sure he'll endorse the switch!

[militant2]

Noted and message sent. Thanks for the linkW

Militant

[Coop]

How about switching to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse?

As a regular Hilton customer, I'd prefer to head this horrible decision off before it occurs.

[RockinRight]

Insanity...had you heard about this?