TOPEKA, KS (KSNT) — A late night trip to IHOP turned into a night of frustration after a group of diners were denied service.

“The way we were treated is not okay,” said Dawn Lassiter.

Lassiter, hoped to enjoy a late night meal at IHOP in Topeka last Thursday night, but was denied service when the waitress wouldn’t accommodate her or her guest.

“The lady said, ‘How many is with you?’, and we said, ‘There’s 11 here, but we are expecting about 14 or 15.’ And so she walks to the back, and another young lady came out and she said, ‘We’re not taking parties over ten’,” Lassiter says.

When the group suggested splitting up or only serving some in Lassiter’s party, the waitress told them no.

“The restaurant was not busy, and she was very loud. She was almost confrontational,” Lassiter says.

They were told IHOP would be closing at midnight, despite the open 24-hour signs in the window.

“People mentioned the race issue. I can’t say that it was and I can’t say that it wasn’t because I don’t know her.”

Lassiter’s husband reached out the restaurant’s general manager who apologized and was unaware of what had transpired hours before.

KSNT News spoke with IHOP’s general manager, but because of company policy he could not go on camera, but did say the incident should have never happened and that that the restaurant was closing early that night due to short staffing.

KSNT News reached out to the restaurant’s corporate office and received this statement.

“We are pleased that our general manager took the following steps to speak with the customer and invite them back to the restaurant in the future,” said Craig Hoffman, media contact for IHOP.

Lassiter said she would go back to the restaurant, but hopes the waitress gets better training in hosting skills.

Topeka IHOP’s general manager said he did speak with the waitress, and tells KSNT News she is still currently working at the restaurant.What others are clicking on: