Great White Melrose Drama: Restaurant Denies Racism Claims With 'Shark' Defense - Ex-Staff Spill The Tea

Great White Melrose Caught in a Racial Storm

LA’s dining scene just got a whole lot spicier, and not in a good way. Great White Melrose, nestled in the heart of the city’s trendy Melrose district - a hotspot for influencers and celebs alike - is facing major backlash after a viral video by social media star Cassidy Cho, aka @juminjuice, called out alleged racist seating practices. Cho’s clip, which blew up faster than a SoCal wildfire, showed white diners getting prime spots in the main area while Asian patrons, including herself, were consistently shuffled to a separate corner.

The video hit a nerve, racking up views and comments from others who’ve had similar shady experiences at the restaurant. With the internet dragging Great White harder than a Santa Ana wind, the restaurant’s team had to step up and address the drama that’s threatening to tarnish their rep in a city as diverse as LA.

From Hollywood red carpets to Melrose Avenue eateries, inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword here - it’s expected. So when accusations like these drop, you know the 310 area code is gonna have something to say about it.

Restaurant Bites Back: ‘It’s About a Shark, Not Race’

Great White Melrose didn’t waste time dropping a statement to NBCLA, claiming their name is inspired by the infamous great white shark - you know, the Jaws kind - and has ‘zero to do with race.’ The owners straight-up denied the allegations of seating based on ethnicity, calling the claims ‘absolutely outrageous and completely false.’ They wrapped it up with a sunny ‘Everyone is welcome here’ vibe, but not everyone’s buying the beachy PR spin.

Online, the restaurant’s been playing defense, responding to harsh reviews with promises of ‘no tolerance’ for discrimination at any of their spots. They also hinted at handling staff rudeness internally, but with the heat still on, it’s unclear if that’s enough to cool down the controversy in a town where reputation is everything.

“I just wanted a nice dinner, not a side of discrimination - I’m done with Great White for good,” said Cassidy Cho, reflecting on her viral experience that started it all.

Ex-Employees Drop Bombshells on ‘Management Culture’

The plot thickens with two former employees stepping into the spotlight with some heavy claims. Sarah Rose Brier, who worked at Gran Blanco in Venice Beach - a spot previously owned by Great White co-founders Sam Trude and Sam Cooper - spilled to NBCLA that management straight-up told her to treat people of color differently. ‘If Asian guests came in, we were told to seat them outside - like they’re never gonna get an inside table,’ she revealed.

Montana Pine, another ex-server from Gran Blanco during the same 2023 stint, backed up Brier’s story. ‘We were told to say the place was full when certain demographics showed up that they didn’t want inside,’ Pine admitted. Both quit a year ago, citing a toxic environment that was ‘too much’ to handle, with Brier even breaking down in tears over the guilt of being part of something she knew was wrong.

This isn’t just gossip over avocado toast - these allegations paint a picture of a deeper ‘management culture’ issue that’s got LA locals raising eyebrows. Venice Beach, a laid-back coastal gem, isn’t usually the backdrop for this kind of drama, making the story hit even harder.

Gran Blanco Cuts Ties with Founders

As the shade keeps coming for Great White and its co-founders, Gran Blanco dropped an Instagram post on Thursday, October 9, to clear the air. ‘We’d like to share that Gran Blanco is now under new ownership and management as of June 1, 2025,’ the statement read. ‘We’re an independent, locally operated business committed to creating a welcoming space for everyone in the community and making sure good times are always on the menu!’

It’s a bold move to distance themselves from the OG founders amidst this PR nightmare. But with the internet’s memory longer than a line at In-N-Out, it remains to be seen if this rebrand will win back trust in a city that thrives on authenticity.

Online Backlash Keeps the Heat On

Even though Cassidy Cho once called Great White Melrose her go-to spot, she’s made it clear she’s not stepping foot back there after this mess. The online criticism isn’t slowing down either - Great White’s Instagram comments are disabled, a classic move when the trolls come out to play. Scathing remarks on news reports include gems like, ‘No apology, just... “great white is the name of a shark,”’ and another user quipping, ‘They named the place “great white” as a hint.’

Over on Yelp, the restaurant’s page is locked for new reviews due to the flood of activity. There’s also buzz - though unconfirmed - that Great White’s owners are trying to snag paid partnerships with Asian-American food influencers to clean up their image. If true, that’s some next-level damage control, but in LA, where every move is scrutinized, good luck with that.

This scandal’s got all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster - drama, accusations, and a whole lotta receipts. Whether Great White Melrose can swim out of these choppy waters or get eaten alive by public opinion, only time will tell. Stick with us for updates on this SoCal saga.