When Donald Trump made claims during the presidential debate that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were attacking people’s pets, people rushed to an unlikely place to show their support for the Haitian community: Yelp.
The Rose Goute Creole, a Haitian restaurant in Springfield, Ohio, has been flooded with positive reviews on Yelp, as well as Google, in recent days following Trump’s remarks.
The Rose Goute’s last review on Yelp was in December of 2023, but starting on September 13, 2024, two days after the presidential debate, a flood of new five-star reviews came into the site, praising the food and the staff who work there.
The Rose Goute has been contacted via phone, but were unable to speak on the phone as they told Newsweek they were too busy.
The Rose Goute in Springfield, which has been flooded with positive reviews, September 2024.
Jessie Wardarski/Associated Press
Joe B, a Yelp reviewer posted on September 13: “Really good food. Everything is $20 but enough for three people. Friendly nice people. English is limited but easily overcome with hospitality.”
Another reviewer, Mike C, whose profile says he’s from Las Vegas, said: “I happened to be in town so decided to try something new. They were pretty busy, out of chicken, so I got the fried pork meal. Huge portion, easily 2 meals, and really tasty, with onions and peppers. Also came with a simple lettuce salad (nice and cooling), a spicy slaw (maybe too spicy for me), and fried plantains.”
He added: “Seems like every culture has some version of roasted or fried pork, and this tastes very close to Lechon sans the crispy skin. But really flavorful. Man, that slaw is SPICY.”
Guerline Jozef, the co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, spoke to Newsweek about her organization’s work in Springfield.
Jozef said that the HBA has been working in Springfield long before this political uproar. It has been engaged in placing Haitian workers into union work, and training Haitian migrants for professional jobs and sectors.
The HBA also prepared for a political attack on the Haitian community once JD Vance was selected as the VP nominee. However, it never anticipated the attacks to spread this far.
Jozef said: “It’s heartbreaking to see what [Haitians] have to deal with right now,” and added that she knows of people in Springfield who have been asked by their co-workers if they eat cats.
Trump accused immigrants of eating pets during the Presidential debate.
Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Jozef said that Haitians have fled their home in search of protection, and now are being forced to fear for their lives yet again.
She said she finds hope in how residents are going out to support Haitian business, in particular Rose Goute.
She said: “It’s a very positive way of how non Haitians in Springfield are pushing back in their own way. Not saying anything, but showing up and enjoying the food and supporting the business.”
A similar five-star reviewing phenomenon occurred on Google Reviews, where people started flooding Rose Goute’s Google page with five stars in the days following the Presidential debate.
Reviewer Lorie Jo posted to Google Reviews on September 19, saying: “The food is excellent and served with care. The portions are large and the prices reasonable. Interesting art on the walls too. I’ll definitely be back and with friends.”
She added that the parking lot and restaurant are wheelchair accessible.
The Rose Goute already went viral online for having packed crowds following the debate, and it appears that flooding it with good reviews is yet another means of showering the Haitian community with good will.
Jozef added: “Haitian food is one of the most amazing foods you’ll ever eat. And I’m not saying that because I’m biased!”
