This northeast Fresno restaurant posted controversial signs about coronavirus pandemic

The Full-O-Bull restaurant in northeast Fresno posted signs about the coronavirus pandemic that have caused quite the backlash.

Among the critics is a different Full-O-Bull location.

Photos circulated Friday of signs taped to the front doors of the Full-O-Bull restaurant that’s located at the corner of First Street and Nees Avenue, referring to the COVID-19 crisis as the “Kung-Flu.”

The signs also criticized Fresno city leaders for emphasizing that the community practice social distancing, calling them “morons.”

“As required by the morons that run our city we are posting this sign to remind you that due to the media driven panic of Covid-19 you are required to stay 6 feet away from each other,” one of the signs reads.

“Please stay on the red X or don’t, we don’t care but you have been warned about the Kung-Flu!”

The sign also featured a photo of the cartoon character Homer Simpson making an awkward sign with his hands.

Messages left with restaurant owner Brandon Liquori were not returned Friday night.

Liquori purchased the Fresno pizza-and-subs restaurant from longtime owner Bill Bimat in September.

The owners of the original Full-O-Bull in Clovis publicly denounced the Fresno restaurant’s signs and were quick to clarify that the two restaurants are independently owned and operated, and are not affiliated with each other.

“I can not express how sorry we are that the full of bull subs and pizza on first street in Fresno has disrespected so many of you,” the Clovis Full-O-Bull owners wrote on their restaurant’s Facebook page. “We are in NO way connected to them. ... We are so irritated at the ignorant comments and sign that they have posted. They are not fit to carry our name.

“We here at Full o Bull cherish every customer, no matter what! We do not believe their sign is appropriate what so ever.”

In a telephone interview, Ashley Besinger, co-owner of the Clovis Full-O-Bull, said they have contacted their lawyer and are looking to, at the least, send the Fresno Full-O-Bull a cease-and-desist letter.

“It’s just sad and disappointing, and with everything else going on and we’re asking the community to support local businesses, and then they do this?” Besinger said. “It upsets me. And it’s upsetting for this entire community. Because we have a big community that includes everybody who lives here.

“Why would you want to create a divide and make people feel unwanted? People are already having financial issues and medical issues. And you want to create something on top of that? It’s disgusting.”

The Washington Post reported that fears of the coronavirus have sparked increased anti-Chinese sentiment online.

And that hatred and distrust toward China and people of East Asian descent have contributed to several incidents of violence, verbal attacks and boycotts of Asian-owned businesses.

The city of Fresno has been under shelter-in-place orders since March 19 to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Among the restrictions has been to prohibit dining in restaurant facilities, though customers can still order food through pickup or delivery.

California also issued a statewide stay-at-home order and closure of “nonessential businesses” on March 19.

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 10:41 PM.