Civil action lawsuit filed against New York City fast-casual restaurant Dos Toros

A civil action case was filed with the New York Supreme Court on Thursday against fast-casual New York-based restaurant chain Dos Toros, alleging a hostile environment and racial slurs.

The chain, which is owned by Founders Table Restaurant Group, currently has 18 locations across New York and New Jersey.

The complainant, Allison Edwards, is a resident of Manhattan and claims that non-Black workers and an assistant manager at a Dos Toros location consistently used the n-word and other racial epithets without any consequence.

Edwards herself was “called the 'n-word' and exposed to frequent racist jokes” according to a release from her lawyers, Joseph & Norinsberg LLC.

Managerial staff at Dos Toros are also alleged to have used the n-word often when talking to staff.

Edwards said when she brought her concerns to management, they defended the use of the word by one employee, calling it “slang.”

“The historically horrendous nature of using the 'n-word' will never go away. No one should be subject to hostile, offensive language while on the job,” said Bennitta Joseph, partner at Joseph & Norinsberg LLC, in a statement. “Too often, employees withstand offensive workplace behavior, especially when seemingly endorsed by senior leaders whose authority shapes the behavior of the rest of the staff. After our client communicated her dismay, management should have rectified the situation. We are committed to and await justice owed to our client.”

Edwards is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and harm to her professional and personal reputation. 

Founders Table Restaurant Group was also named in the filing.