Downey City Council considers regulating waitress attire (UPDATED)

Ojos Locos staff at the restaurant’s San Antonio location. (Photo via Ojos Locos’ Facebook page)

This story has been updated to include a statement from the City of Downey.

DOWNEY — Public outcry over the scantily-clad waitresses at the incoming Ojos Locos restaurant has caught the attention of the City Council, who say the city will explore regulating food service attire in the coming weeks.

According to three council members, the city is looking into creating an ordinance that would regulate the attire of waiters and waitresses at restaurants and bars across Downey.  Council is expected to discuss the matter at their March 8 meeting next week.

This comes after the Planning Commission approved the arrival of Ojos Locos at their Feb. 2 meeting, drawing the ire of many community members over the restaurant's use of waitresses wearing lingerie.

Mayor Blanca Pacheco and Council members Claudia Frometa and Mario Trujillo all made social media statements regarding the controversial restaurant across various platforms and comment threads over the weekend.

The city quickly followed suit, releasing a statement on Tuesday, saying:

“The City of Downey realizes that the future opening of the restaurant, ‘Ojos Locos Sports Cantina,’  has caused concern among residents in the community. The City would like to assure its residents that it values their input and takes concerns seriously.

In response to this, the Downey City Council will consider amending the Downey Municipal Code at its upcoming City Council meeting, scheduled for March 8th, to review and establish employee dress standards for all restaurants and bars in Downey.

‘Keeping our residents in mind, we will address their concerns to help regulate employee attire at this establishment,’ said Mayor Blanca Pacheco. 

The City will continue to proactively engage with its business community to ensure that all Downey businesses operate in a safe and orderly manner.'“

Ojos Locos will take over the former site of Denny’s restaurant.