Cruisers Grill owner, customers respond to allegations of workers spitting in law enforcement's food

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The owner of an iconic Jacksonville restaurant is in the hot seat.

Two Jacksonville Beach police officers claim that the owner called them bullies and said that employees spit in their food at Cruisers Grill on 23rd Ave. S in Jacksonville Beach.

“I think that's completely disgusting," customer, Zach Kibodeaux said.

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Customers from Cruisers Grill are weighing in on allegations being made about comments by the owner.

"These allegations are false, period, end of story," owner of Cruisers Grill, Bobby Handmaker, said.

Allegations that came from a police report stating that Handmaker said, “I have been made aware for quite some time now that some of my employees have been spitting in officers food and now I know why, because you are bullies."

"There was a disagreement between an officer and myself. I think it got blown out of proportion," Handmaker said.

According to the police report, Handmaker said that after getting upset that he was ticketed earlier this month for an expired vehicle registration.

"I think that it might have been said in a heated moment and it wasn't fair to the employees," customer Diane Cox said.

Cox said she doesn’t think anyone who works there would do that, especially because her granddaughter works at the restaurant.

"She's a little disappointed in people who are her boss" Cox said.

The Jacksonville Beach police chief sent an internal memo to all officers about using caution for health and safety reasons if choosing to eat at Cruisers Grill.

Christian Smith said she thinks there could be some truth to what the owner allegedly said.

"I don't think allegations make it this far if there's not some validity to them, so it's concerning," Smith said.

Handmaker said he went to the police department Tuesday morning to apologize and try to work everything out. He said it’s his honor to serve those who protect the community.

Cox Media Group