Bistro owner won’t give ketchup to anyone over 10

A Florida restaurant is angering guests, but not for poor service or bad food.

The Mad Fresh Bistro in Fort Myers won’t serve ketchup to diners over 10-years-old.

Yes, you read that right.

Chef, owner and French-born Xavier Dulcos spent two years studying fine French cuisine, and takes it seriously.

“The worst I ever had was a woman who pulled parmesan cheese out of her bag and then she pulled out ketchup, and I just asked her not to do that,” Duclos told an NBC affiliate in Fort Myers. “She never came back.”

His main reasoning for the bold red rule is that he wants his guests to trust his ability to cook.

“If you’re over 10 years old, ketsup will NOT be provided. Similarly, salt won’t be making an appearance next to your meal, either. We simply ask that you trust us,” says the restaurant’s website. “We know what we’re doing! Part of the MAD experience is to trust the chef, and not have preconceived notions of what your dish is going to need.”

Customers are generally unhappy about the rule.

“I am customer service oriented and for us it was odd that there are rules,” customer Annalisa Xiotas told NBC.

“That’s the way I make it,” Dulcos said. “You eat it or you don’t come back.”

Contact Kristen DeSilva at kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva