Memphis Pizzeria Refuses Service to 4 National Guard Members as Boycott Calls Grow
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Memphis Pizzeria Refuses Service to 4 National Guard Members as Boycott Calls Grow
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Summary
Four Tennessee National Guard members were turned away from Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza in Memphis last weekend, and owner Miles Tamboli said he would "make the same decision tomorrow."
Tamboli tied the refusal to his opposition to the federally led Memphis Safe Task Force, saying National Guard involvement in local policing has made the city less safe rather than reduced violent crime.
October 2025 marked the start of National Guard patrols in Memphis under the task force created by President Donald Trump, which combines local police, federal agents, state troopers and Guard troops.
X users pushed a #BoycottTamboli campaign after the incident, and Representative Tim Burchett said he would not eat at the restaurant; Tamboli told local media the backlash has already hurt business.
The dispute widens a broader fight over using military personnel in city law enforcement, which Tamboli said intensified after a 20-year-old Memphian was fatally shot by National Guard troops this month.