Police Arrest Instagram Food Critic Repeatedly in Alleged Dine-and-Dash Scheme

Restaurant workers in Brooklyn say a familiar Instagram foodie has turned into a serial headache for some of New York City’s trendiest dining rooms. She shows up dressed in designer labels, orders generously, lingers over the meal, and then, staff say, refuses to pay.

For about a month, 34-year-old Pei Chung has been skipping out on bills at multiple Williamsburg restaurants, according to police. In that neighborhood alone, she has allegedly hit at least six spots, including returning twice to Francie. Each time, the pattern looks similar: a large order, long visit, and a confrontation when it is time to settle the check.

Chung has been arrested several times and released, only to appear again at another venue. In October, she visited Peter Luger Steak House and, according to an employee, ordered nearly $150 worth of steak, sides and dessert for herself. She later posted polished photos and a glowing review of the meal on her food blog and Instagram page. Staff said they grew suspicious when she stayed for hours, and when the bill arrived, she allegedly said she could not pay. Workers recalled that she tried to barter items from her bags, including a pair of kitchen shears, rather than hand over a card with sufficient funds. Police were called, and officers escorted her out. When she returned the next day, the team recognized her immediately and turned her away.

A Repeat Pattern Across Williamsburg

The alleged spree did not stop there. On a Saturday in November, Chung dined at Sea, a busy Thai restaurant, and ordered more than $100 worth of food, police said. Surveillance video from the restaurant shows her talking calmly with staff while a security guard stands by the exit. A waitress later explained that every card she presented was declined. As the situation escalated, employees contacted the police. Cellphone footage taken outside shows officers handcuffing her on the sidewalk before placing her under arrest. A broader look at the recent incidents and arrests has appeared in at least one detailed report on her alleged dine-and-dash streak.

In total, police say Chung has been arrested six times on the same charge: theft of services. Despite that, she continues to maintain a busy presence online, posting photos and videos of the very meals she is accused of never paying for. Her captions read like typical influencer content, with little acknowledgment of the controversy surrounding her visits.

At 12 Chairs Café in Williamsburg, an employee said a woman matching Chung’s description came in on a Monday, ordered several dishes and then left without paying. In that case, staff opted not to call police and simply let her go, but they later learned about similar incidents at other restaurants. Managers across the neighborhood say they now warn their teams to watch for a customer who arrives alone, orders heavily, spends hours photographing plates and then stalls when the bill appears.

Legal Questions and Social Media Fallout

Chung did not respond to requests for comment. Court records indicate she is represented by a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court again in December. Legal experts note that theft-of-services charges are often treated as misdemeanors, but repeated offenses can still carry consequences if prosecutors decide to pursue a more aggressive strategy.

Meanwhile, diners and followers are watching the case play out in real time through her own posts, where high-end meals, luxury shopping bags and carefully composed photos sit in sharp contrast to the accusations attached to her name. For the restaurants on the receiving end, the situation is less about social media drama and more about the day-to-day reality of running a business where one unpaid bill can quickly turn into a pattern they cannot ignore.