Being a restaurant owner is no easy feat.
The hours are long, the customer service can be tiring and the ups and downs of constantly finding and keeping staff are all too common issues most restaurant owners face.
At Monarca, a well-known Mexican restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, a heartwarming and unexpected event occurred when a group of happy customers, satisfied with both their scrumptious meal and the excellent service, decided to show their appreciation in a substantial and unforgettable way.
They wanted to make a significant impact and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the restaurant staff.
Steven Harward, a member of the group, enthusiastically shared, “Just such a cool experience to be able to give back a little bit!”
However, his use of the phrase “little bit” seems to be quite modest, considering the group left a staggering tip of $10,000 to express their gratitude!
Steven, a regular patron of Monarca, chose to visit the restaurant on this particular Friday, bringing along approximately 20 friends.
After enjoying a delightful meal, in a spontaneous gesture of generosity, Steven reached into his pocket and pulled out ten thousand dollars, all in $100 bills.
Alfonso Brito, the proud owner of Monarca, recounted the moment with joy, “They were about to leave, they said, ‘Hey Alfonso, can you come with your crew? We want to thank you because we have a great time.’ And I said, ‘Of course!'”
It was a moment of pure joy and surprise for Alfonso and his crew.
Alfonso also shared a glimpse of his inspiring journey to America, “When we moved to America, we had nothing to our names. We had $20 in our pocket, and we started working in the restaurant business as dishwashers.”
His story is proof of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
Remarkably, this wasn’t the first instance of such overwhelming generosity from Harward and his friends.
They have been known to leave $1,000 tips for deserving staff at different restaurants in the area, bringing smiles and making a substantial difference in many lives.
“A little over 20 times, I think is the number now that we’ve actually done,” revealed Harward.
This extraordinary gesture has left an indelible mark on the hearts of the Monarca staff, a moment of kindness and generosity they are likely to remember for the rest of their lives.
Alfonso, feeling a surge of gratitude, was particularly moved by this unexpected gift.
“It makes this world really a good place, you know, because we have these amazing people around,” Alfonso warmly stated, his words echoing the belief in the inherent goodness and kindness that can be found in the world, even in the most unexpected places and times.
The emotional and heartfelt reactions of the staff were evident.
“To see the tears coming down our waiter’s face and how he was just full of gratitude,” described customer Nikisha Timms.
“It was so cool. It was so cool.”
This incident serves as a beautiful and poignant reminder of the power of kindness and the profound joy and happiness it can bring into people’s lives, reinforcing the belief in human goodness and compassion.
For the staff, it was a moment they’d never forget, but for the customers, the moment was also very special.
Watch the touching moment for yourself in the video below.
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