COMMON SENSE STRIKES BACK...FINALLY

Wopburger Sparks Controversy At Family-Owned Italian Restaurant

May 23, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Colo. -- There's a controversy brewing in Colorado over the name of a burger at a family-owned Italian restaurant.

The Blue Parrot in Louisville has a burger on its menu called the "Wopburger." To some, the name has a negative connotation, but to others, it's no big deal.

The Blue Parrot owners, Joe Colacci and Joan Riggins, said since the restaurant opened in 1919, it has never had a controversy quite like this. However, despite the controversy, they said the name of the burger is going to stay.

An Italian-American customer argued that the name "Wopburger" was offensive and is an ethnic slur, while others said the complaints are political correctness gone too far.

"He was giving my grandson a hard time about this Wopburger," Colacci said. "He said, 'you have to take this off the menu.'"

According to Dictionary.com, the term "wop" comes from the word "guappo" meaning "swagger or pimp."

The owners said they considered changing the burger's name, but their customers told them not to.

"All over the country people have called -- I've been on a Baltimore radio station -- and they have all been very supportive," Riggins said.

Because of the controversy, the owners said the Wopburger has become one of the most popular dishes on the menu.

"If you were born in New York or some place maybe a wop was derogatory, but not here," said customer Bob Bush. "We love being wops."

"It's just a wopper. It's just a sandwich," said Riggins. "If I out and called you 'a dirty wop,' then that would be a slur. That would be a problem."