Indiana Food Truck Owner Claims Censorship Over Controversial Tagline

Food Truck Owner Faces Censorship Claims

Scott Sims, the proprietor of Smash Daddy's Burgers, Fries, Etc., in Indiana, alleges that he has been subjected to censorship after state officials removed his food truck from a weekly government market. The controversy stems from his tagline, "You'll love our meat in your mouth," which some individuals deemed inappropriate. Sims shared an email on social media that he claims was sent by a state official, indicating that multiple complaints had been lodged regarding the phrase. The email also instructed him to cancel two upcoming appearances at the statehouse market.

In an interview with the Indiana Capital Chronicle, referenced by various news outlets, Sims revealed that this tagline has been a staple of his business for nearly twenty years. He initially introduced it at his previous restaurant, Between the Bun, before adopting it for his food truck, which began operations in late 2023. He noted that complaints about the tagline have been infrequent, with only a handful over the course of two decades.

Two Complaints, Major Impact

Sims acknowledged that two specific entities had recently expressed concerns about his slogan: a Christian school and the state government. While he understood the school's objections, he strongly criticized the state's decision, labeling it as "ridiculous" and an act of censorship. In a Facebook post dated July 10, he voiced his disappointment over the abrupt change, stating that his food truck had transitioned from being a favored vendor at the market to being completely excluded. He questioned why the tagline had suddenly become problematic after two years of operating without issues.

Response from State Officials

Kirollos Barsoum, the communications director for the State Personnel Department, who reportedly sent the cancellation email, provided a statement to the Capital Chronicle. He clarified that participation in the Statehouse Market is by invitation only and is entirely at the discretion of his department. Barsoum mentioned that the department routinely evaluates vendors based on various operational and programmatic criteria, retaining the right to modify the vendor lineup or terminate a vendor's participation at any time.

Sims Claims No Appeal Opportunity

According to reports, Sims stated that he was not afforded a chance to appeal the decision or negotiate a compromise, as the email explicitly indicated that the cancellation was final. He estimates that the loss of market appearances could result in a revenue decrease of between $4,000 and $5,000 for his business.