A Chicago woman was arrested earlier this month following a heated argument over an “All You Can Eat” promotion at an Applebee’s in Portage, Indiana.
Shawneesha Cobbs, 28, was charged with disorderly conduct on August 2 after an altercation involving the restaurant’s staff and other patrons escalated into a scene requiring police intervention.
The incident took place at approximately 8:38 p.m. at the Applebee’s Bar and Grill located at 6211 US Highway 6. Portage police were called to the scene after receiving reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers were met with several individuals shouting, including Cobbs and members of her group.
According to police reports, the dispute arose when Cobbs and her companions misunderstood the terms of the restaurant’s $15.99 “All You Can Eat” deal.
Believing that one order could be shared among the entire table, the group became upset when informed by the Applebee’s manager that the promotion applied on a “per person” basis.
The argument reportedly intensified when the group insisted that the menu did not clearly state the price was per person.
Cobbs presented the menu to the officers, who pointed out that it did, in fact, specify the “per person” requirement. Despite this clarification, tensions remained high, with Cobbs directing her frustration toward a couple who were leaving the restaurant. Police say that as the couple exited, words were exchanged, and Cobbs allegedly became increasingly loud and disruptive.
Officers issued multiple warnings to Cobbs to lower her voice and cease the disturbance, but when efforts to de-escalate the situation failed, Cobbs was taken into custody and transported to Porter County Jail.
The group ultimately paid the full bill before leaving the restaurant. The incident has since drawn attention online, with social media users weighing in on the misunderstanding and the broader implications of restaurant policies.
This case highlights the potential consequences of public disturbances and raises questions about how dining establishments communicate promotions to avoid such conflicts in the future.
