ICYMI: Michael Symon: Donald Trump 'Creeps Me Out,' I Won't Let Him in my Restaurants

What started out as a discussion about seating arrangements and TVs at Mabel's BBQ on East Fourth Street took an interesting turn when a caller named "Michael from Cleveland" called in to a radio show on 92.3 The Fan.

The radio show hosts quickly realized that they were talking with Chef Michael Symon, the owner of Mabel's BBQ, author and star on TV's "The Chew."

• Get Free Newsletters, Real-Time Alerts for Your Ohio Patch

The first thing Symon asked was, "the Indians have won 12 in a row, and you're locked up on communal seating?!"

Eventually, the subject of the Republican National Convention came up, and Symon was asked what parties were planned for the RNC and if he'd seat Donald Trump at one of the communal tables. (scroll ahead to 5:15 in the audio file above to hear Symon's answer)

“There’s not a chance I’d let him into one of my restaurants,” Symon said. "I’m not gonna lie, he just creeps me out a little bit,” Symon added.

When asked if he worried that his comments might turn off potential customers, Symon said, “Anybody that knows me, knows I’m not afraid to speak my mind, so there’s that. This isn’t a Democratic/Republican thing, trust me. It’s just that he creeps me out.”

Symon also owns Lola. His two restaurants on East Fourth Street will be right in the middle of activity during the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland.

See also:

• Lakewood 4th of July Fireworks Show
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s Red, White & Brew 4th of July Festival
• The Lakewood Project 4th of July performance
• SCENE Rock the Lot
• Celebrate the 4th of July in Westlake!
• Grindstone Festival & Parade
• 4th of July Fireworks Cruise: Fireworks and Entertainment Only on the Goodtime III

[Image by Edsel Little, Flickr CC]