(PCM) The owner of a Philadelphia restaurant known as Chink’s Steaks since 1949 has officially changed the name to Joe’s Steaks. The eatery had been named for its founder, Samuel “Chink” Sherman, who was given the nickname in grade school, which seemed almost reasonable with early 20th century sensibilities, because of his almond shaped eyes
Joe Groh, 50, who went to work at Chink’s at age 16 and bought the business from Samuel’s widow in 1999, got a complaint from an Asian-American student about the name in 2004.
“It was a tough decision,” Groh told MSN in an interview. “I mulled that over for a few years.”
“It’s a good and dramatic change,” said state Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia, who came to the restaurant for the sign changing Monday. “I understand people who want the past to govern the present, but there comes a point when you have to be responsive to changes that exist in the city.”
Of course, not all customers were happy with the name change. “I mean, he’s ignoring the 10,000 signatures on the petition to keep the name? Now, he’s giving in to political correctness,” said Robert Quinn, 59. “I just think it’s ridiculous,” said Eleanor McGonigal, 60. “Cracker Barrel hasn’t had to change their name. I mean, that could be made into a racist thing.”
