This post was written by Senior Staff Writer Marisa Kabas, who was eating in the restaurant at the time of the incident.

The Johnny Rockets at 20th and Pennsylvania Avenue closed its doors early Sunday evening after a heated dispute among several staff members.

At about 7 p.m., patrons were informed that the establishment had run out of hamburgers and ice cream, two core items which compose their menu. One waitress yelled from behind the bar “we have no food,” and the manager declared the place “a zoo” and admitted that he was planning on quitting.

When new customers, including students and families with young children, walked in, patrons already seated tried to dissuade them from dining because of poor service and a lack of menu items.

Tensions began to rise when the waitress told patrons that the kitchen staff was on the verge of walking out. Moments later, there was a commotion from the kitchen, including the crashing of a plate followed by two staff members walking out.

The events culminated with a waiter walking to the entrance and locking the front door to prevent any more customers from filtering in.