UPDATE: Fans react to Giannis taco controversy
UPDATE: MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Many Bucks fans say they are shocked that the team’s star player couldn’t get a table after his big game Sunday against the Celtics.
Giannis Antetokounmpo stopped at Bel Air Cantina after the game, but the restaurant was full. Giannis was told he would be put on the wait list.
After 10 minutes, Giannis left.
A picture of him waiting caught fire on social media.
Now fans are saying he shouldn’t have to wait, and some would’ve gladly made room for him.
“I was pretty shocked, considering Giannis should be the king of Milwaukee at that point,” said Bucks fan Trevor Shevey, “just hit a game winning shot, he should be treated like royalty”
“I would've let him go in front of me, that's just, he's an icon here,” another fan said.
Meanwhile a local food truck is jumping on the taco controversy.
The Mazorca taco truck set up a table with a reserved sign, just for Giannis.
“Saw a post that he wasn't served, and thought of this great idea having his own personal table for him, better to be prepared than sorry,” said employee Jesus Gonzalez.
Bel Air says they are sorry they couldn’t seat Giannis and even offered him a free meal.
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Posted: April 23rd, 2018 7:57 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo helped the Milwaukee Bucks win a playoff game but couldn't score a table at a Mexican restaurant.
Antetokounmpo says the social media-fueled mess over the missed meal isn't a big deal.
The food flare-up started after a Bucks fan posted a picture on Twitter of the All-Star forward waiting at BelAir Cantina on Sunday.
Earlier that afternoon, Antetokounmpo's putback with 5 seconds left helped the Bucks beat the Boston Celtics in Game 4 to tie their first-round playoff series. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Boston.
The fan's post went viral. He says Antetokounmpo stayed 10 minutes before leaving. The restaurant later posted a message on social media apologizing for not seating Antetokounmpo in "as timely a manner as we would have hoped."
The forward told reporters in Boston on Monday that he left only because his ankle was bothering him. Antetokounmpo missed a couple of games late in the regular season with a sore right ankle.
"I did not find it a big deal...it was a beautiful day, there were a lot of people enjoying their Sunday brunch. I've been in the restaurant a lot of times. They are good people."
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 23, 2018
- @Giannis_An34 on his Sunday post game meal: pic.twitter.com/SYpiCcj4Vv
Antetokounmpo says he knows the restaurant's owners and calls them "really good people." He added that he plans to take up the owners' offer to pay for his next meal.