There's already a post up about this but I wanted to share my own take.
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/restaurant-backlash-ai-menu-san-francisco/4115961/
A San Francisco restaurant is facing some backlash after the owners used AI to create photos of their menu items. They posted it on their window, not thinking much of it, but what followed were bad reviews and even vandalism.
She created a sign with pictures of drink and food items and put it on their window, but soon after got a lot of reaction online. About a week ago, she says someone spray painted what looks to say “seriously” outside.
They’ve now painted over it and she’s taken down the menu she created using AI. Now she’s looking to move forward and is now put her pastries by the window for people to see as they walk by.
Bullying works.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/06/ai-food-menu-images
Nila Norero Salvatore, the owner of Bella Cafe, said she personally hasn’t received any complaints about the ChatGPT-designed signs on the street or those advertising the breakfast menu inside her restaurant, both of which include images of the food. The 65-year-old said she and her husband are “old-fashioned,” adding that experimenting with AI is “fun” and “new for us.” She also uses ChatGPT to help write reference letters for workers and craft the cafe’s employee handbook.
She needs to be bullied.
If you see a food place with AI signs, you can just pull them off the window and walk away with them. You can do this even if the signs are on the inside. It takes seconds.
Keep moving at a decent pace, but no need to run. If someone follows, they won't be able to follow very far because they'll have to go back to mind the shop. Put the sign in a bin when you see one. Make sure you've got a route to get away that doesn't require you to wait at a crossing.
Easier targets include shops with only one employee, especially if they're currently serving a customer. Harder targets have more signs.
If there's people dining by the sign you want to pull down, just say "excuse me" as you reach for it, and they will make space no problem. Works every time.
It's free, easy, and you have no chance of being punished. You too can make a difference.