What a Potato Head!
A deranged Brooklyn diner patron was so steamed over two straight plates of lousy mashed potatoes that he threw the food at the waiter’s chest and threatened to kill him, authorities said yesterday.
Steven Scott, 40, was arrested on assault and other charges for the food fight in the New York Fried Chicken Diner on Fulton Street in East New York, where he terrorized server Baljit Singh and his colleagues.
The spuds-sparked spat began at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday shortly after Scott strolled inside, checked out the menu and ordered a plate of mashed potatoes, law-enforcement sources said.
Scott then sat down at a table, and Singh brought over his order a short time later, sources said. After Scott shoveled in a few mouthfuls, he got up, went to the counter, and started griping about the nasty tasting food, sources said.
Singh told Scott he would give him a new order, according to the sources.
The simmering Scott returned to his table and, minutes later, Singh brought over a second plate of mashed potatoes, sources said.
When Scott tasted the dish, he became even more disgusted, sprang to his feet, and hurled the plate of mush against Singh’s chest, according to the sources.
Scott then allegedly smacked Singh across the face, whipped out a knife and snarled, “I’m going to stab you!” Then he allegedly changed his mind, threatening, “I’m going to come back with my gun and shoot you dead! I know what time you guys close!”
The mashed-potato maniac then stomped outside while a frightened Singh quickly called 911, cops said.
Police searched the neighborhood with Singh, who spotted Scott nearby and pointed him out, sources said.
Scott was handcuffed and charged with assault, menacing, harassment and criminal possession of a weapon.
A manager at the restaurant was shocked. “I don’t know what happened. Maybe the mashed potatoes were too cold or too hot, but we sell a lot,” he said.
“Sometimes, people want things for free,” he added. “That’s why they complain. We always have situations like that. We’re open until 3 a.m. This is East New York.”
Law-enforcement sources said Scott has three prior Brooklyn arrests for drug possession and DWI. He pleaded guilty in each case and served jail time.