Take the steak off my plate: German supplier gets tough in dispute over meat deliveries

German supplier takes steaks from diners’ plates

BERLIN — A German meat supplier has found a novel solution to unpaid bills: repossessing the steaks right off diners’ plates.

Police in Aachen said Thursday that a dispute over money ended with the man grabbing his wares off the plates of some 20 bemused guests at a restaurant in the western city.

A furious argument erupted in the kitchen after the man made his daily delivery Wednesday evening but was told the restaurant didn’t immediately have the euro400 ($535) in cash to pay his bill.

The vendor then took back the meat he’d delivered — including steaks already being cooked or marinated. That still didn’t cover the bill, so he continued collecting meat in the dining room.

Police arrived at the scene after he left but said they believed no offense was committed.