Some say name of soon to open restaurant has racist undertones; owner vehemently disagrees

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — “Big Beaners” is the name of a soon-to-be restaurant in Amarillo that has brought controversy and concerns of racism with its name and sign.

ABC7 News talked to people on both sides of the debate.

The owner of the restaurant is Jesse Quackenbush, an Amarillo attorney.

Quackenbush says it’s simple, the restaurant is selling beans, coffee and Mexican food, which is why it's named “Big Beaners.”

“And there’s no intention of racism behind that sign, the sign was merely was trying to connect the brand with the product,” Quackenbush said.

Abel Bosquez, president of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, spoke out on what the name of the coming restaurant means to him.

“It was a word that was used like you beaners, you wetback, you dirty Mexicans,” said Bosquez.

“If anyone took the time to read the menu and look at the logo and understand it’s a kidney bean not an Abel Bosquez or some Mexican that’s bored at some committee,” said Quackenbush. “Theres no racist intention, I’m not a racist, we don’t cater to racists, we don’t have anything to do with racists, so Abel Bosquez is simply wrong.”

“Why is it a brown bean with a Mexican hat, a big mustache and pointy boots—that is offensive to Mexicanos,” said Bosquez.

ABC 7 News asked if the goal was an association with beans, why not big bean, big frijoles or something of that nature.

“Because we wanted to use big beaners, we liked the name—kind of like Big Texan, the word big, we wanted to have Hispanic culture or Latin culture enveloped into our mascot and logo.” said Quackenbush.

Quackenbush went on to say the majority of Hispanics are not offended by it.

“A lot of the people that are responding saying ‘I’m alright with that’—they probably haven’t experienced the racism part,” said Bosquez.

ABC7 News also asked if Quackenbush would apologize for those that feel it is offensive.

“The answer to that is no,” he said. “I apologize for nothing related to this business, I think this is a big hoax and a scam that’s been set up by a couple former restaurants here that recently have gone out of business and they just got so outraged because a white guy is opening a Mexican restaurant—that’s what’s going on here.”

But Bosquez says, even if the owner would’ve been of Mexican descent—it would not have changed the meaning of it.

“Racism is racism regardless of who does it. I can be a racist against my own people,” said Bosquez.

ABC 7 news requested a statement from the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It reads:

"The Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has never contacted Mr. Jesse Quackenbush regarding the “Big Beaners” name he chose for his new restaurant. The comments on his social media post regarding the hispanic chamber are not factual. We have received many complaints and questions regarding the name of the restaurant. We hear the concerns and we understand. The AHCC is a business organization and not a civil rights organization.”

The hispanic chamber also says it understands the freedom of enterprise and everyone has the right to name their business how they prefer. The chamber adds that it supports all businesses.