A popular Chicago restaurant is fighting back after being vandalized with anti-gay graffiti over the weekend.
Hamburger Mary’s in the city’s Andersonville neighborhood said an employee found the words “Die F--s” spray painted on one of the restaurant’s bathroom doors Saturday.
“My first reaction when I saw it was actually annoyed,” said owner Ashley Wright. “Literally a split second later it was just sort of this gut wrenching feeling.”
The LGBT-friendly North Side restaurant, described as an “open-air bar and grille for open-minded people,” is one of 14 restaurants nationwide and one of two in Chicago. It was recently featured on an episode of CBS’ Undercover Boss.
“This was someone who came into my house, my establishment and spray painted a hateful message to me and my customers and staff,” Wright said.
The owner has since painted over the graffiti with rainbow colors and the word “Love” and notified police of the incident.
“I was like, I’m just going to have fun with this and make this kind of a testament to- a shrine if you will- to acceptance and diversity,” Wright said.
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Wright said surveillance video from the restaurant shows the alleged suspect. That video is expected to be turned over to authorities.
Police confirmed an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
