Man Claims Chicago Pizzeria Denied Him Entry Because His Pants Looked 'Too Street'

A discrimination complaint has been filed against Parlor Pizza Bar in Chicago's West Loop following an incident where a man was denied entry to the pizzeria allegedly for wearing clothes that were "too street." Antar Jackson said that he had been wearing $250 tailored wool pants and a baseball cap when he entered the pizzeria with his wife at 7:30. He had to leave because of an alleged dress code. Antar Jackson—who is black—said that he believes the incident was racially charged.

The security guard said "he would not be able to let me in wearing the pants that I was wearing," Jackson states in his complaint, obtained by NBC News. "I asked him why and he told me, 'Because they're too street.'"

Parlor Pizza responded with a statement defending their "evening dress code," which begins at 5 pm, and said, "athletic wear is prohibited under our policy and unfortunately, the gentleman in question was wearing sweatpants."

Jackson said he saw other people in the restaurant at the time wearing baggy pants, yoga pants, and baseball caps, but only he was denied entry.

"We want everyone to enjoy our pizza and feel welcome at any of our locations, but they must respect our policies," the restaurant said in a statement. "We enforce them daily to ensure that our guests' experience is always consistent. We are very sorry to hear of the recent accusation and take these situations very seriously. We hope this guest will come dine with us again in the future."