MILWAUKEE -- Social media is buzzing over a fiasco at a local restaurant involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After Giannis saved the day with a game-winning tip-in with five seconds to go in Sunday’s playoff game against the Boston Celtics – he was ready to celebrate with a victory dinner down the road from the BMO Harris Bradley Center at BelAir Cantina.
But apparently, the restaurant was too busy and did not have enough room to seat him. Patrons inside the restaurant got wind of this and were outraged -- and so was social media.
Someone inside the restaurant tweeted a photo of Giannis waiting to be seated and it went viral. That tweet blew up -- getting hundreds of retweets and likes -- with people furious Giannis wasn't seated in a timely fashion.
At @BelAirCantina on water street and just watched @Giannis_An34 wait for a table for 10 minutes and no one helped him so he left... Dude just won Milwaukee a playoff game! Get him some service pic.twitter.com/hcjsJfThiA
— Morgan (@MoSokanhe) April 22, 2018
But it looks like Giannis still got his victory dinner -- and also went from wanting tacos to pizza. Dimoda Pizza, just down the street, posted a photo of Giannis after his meal there.
Bel Air tweeted an apology and said because of the Bucks game and warm weather, they were extremely busy.
We are very sorry we weren’t able to seat @Giannis_An34 in as timely of a manner as we would have hoped. The @Bucks big win, thanks to his tip in and the team’s great play, combined with today’s spring weather had people turn out in droves to celebrate and we had quite a wait.
— BelAir Cantina (@BelAirCantina) April 23, 2018
The restaurant also sent the following statement to Scripps station WTMJ in Milwaukee on Sunday night, after the incident went viral on social media:
“We are very sorry we weren’t able to seat Giannis in as timely of a manner as we would have hoped. The Bucks big win, thanks to his tip in and the team’s great play, combined with today’s spring weather had people turn out in droves to celebrate and we had quite a wait. We were honored he came in for a celebratory meal, and wish we could have accommodated him right away. We welcome him back Thursday after another Bucks win and will hold open a table. And to turn this into a positive for everyone, we are pledging that if the Bucks win the series Thursday night in Milwaukee, we will provide all Bucks fans with a free taco with any purchase all day Friday at all our locations” #GoBucks #BucksIn6
Apparently, Giannis caught wind of the social media outrage. His girlfriend later tweeted out a photo of him saying no hard feelings.
Its all good, much love for you guys ❤️ also thanks to all of the concerned fans I appreciate your support @BelAirCantina pic.twitter.com/gBKSV3CTGJ
— Mariah Danae (@mariahdanae15) April 23, 2018
BelAir also wants to make things right with all of Milwaukee after this debacle. The restaurant says if the Bucks win the next two and take the series, they'll give a free taco with purchase to everyone on Friday. And they'll hold a table just for Giannis.
win the series Thursday night in Milwaukee, we will provide all @Bucks fans with a free taco with any purchase all day Friday at all our locations! #GoBucks #BucksIn6
— BelAir Cantina (@BelAirCantina) April 23, 2018