Haitian restaurant in Springfield is flooded with positive reviews

When Donald Trump claimed during the presidential debate that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were attacking other people’s pets, people rushed to an unexpected place to show their support for the Haitian community: Yelp.

Rose Goute Creole, a Haitian restaurant in Springfield, Ohio, has been inundated with positive reviews on Yelp and Google in recent days following Trump’s comments.

The last review of Rose Goute on Yelp dates back to December 2023, but starting on September 13, 2024, two days after the presidential debate, a flood of new five-star reviews appeared on the site praising the food and the staff working there.

Rose Goute was contacted by phone but was unable to make a phone call, they said Newsweek they were too busy.

Joe B, a Yelp reviewer, wrote on September 13: “Really good food. Everything is $20, but enough for three people. Friendly, nice people. English is limited, but that is easily made up for by the hospitality.”

Another reviewer, Mike C, who is from Las Vegas according to his profile, said, “I happened to be in town and decided to try something new. They were busy and out of chicken, so I ordered fried pork. A huge portion, easily enough for two meals, and really tasty, with onions and peppers. It came with a simple leaf salad (nice and cooling), a spicy coleslaw (maybe too spicy for me), and fried plantains.”

He added, “It seems like every culture has some version of roasted or deep-fried pork, and this tastes a lot like lechon, just without the crispy skin. But it’s really flavorful. Man, this slaw is SPICY.”

Guerline Jozef, co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, spoke with Newsweek about the work of their organization in Springfield.

Jozef said the HBA has been active in Springfield since long before this political upheaval, helping to bring Haitian workers into union work and training Haitian migrants for professional jobs and industries.

The HBA also prepared for a political attack on the Haitian community once JD Vance was named vice presidential candidate, but never expected the attacks to spread so widely.

Jozef said: “It is heartbreaking to see what [Haitians] I’m busy right now,” adding that she knows people in Springfield who have been asked by their colleagues if they eat cats.

Jozef said the Haitians had fled their homeland in search of protection and now had to fear for their lives again.

She said she is hopeful about the way residents support Haitian businesses, especially Rose Goute.

She said, “It’s a very positive way that non-Haitians in Springfield are resisting in their own way. They don’t say anything, they just come, enjoy the food and support the business.”

A similar five-star phenomenon occurred on Google Reviews, where people began flooding Rose Goute’s Google page with five stars in the days following the presidential debate.

Reviewer Lorie Jo wrote on Google Reviews on September 19: “The food is excellent and served with care. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. Interesting art on the walls. I will definitely be back, and with friends.”

She added that the parking lot and restaurant are wheelchair accessible.

Rose Goute has already caused a stir online because the debate took place in front of a packed crowd, and it seems that the flood of good reviews is another way to shower goodwill on the Haitian community.

Jozef added: “Haitian food is some of the most amazing food you will ever eat. And I’m not saying that because I’m biased!”