Michael Symon says Donald Trump won't be allowed in his restaurants during GOP convention

Famed James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Symon said during a radio interview on Thursday that presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump won't be welcome in his Cleveland restaurants during next month's GOP convention. 

Symon called in to a show on Cleveland sports talk station 92.3 FM to talk about issues related to his new restaurant, BBQ joint Mabel's, but wound up being asked about any potential parties for the upcoming convention. 

A clearly amused Symon laughed while saying, “There’s not a chance I’d let him into one of my restaurants." He added, "he creeps me out a little bit." Listen to the clip below. 

Symon, a Food Network "Iron Chef" and co-host of ABC's The Chew, owns several restaurants, including locations in Cleveland, Detroit, and Austin. The Cleveland native has two popular restaurants, Lola and the aforementioned Mabel's, located on the city's popular East 4th Street, in very close proximity to the Quicken Loans Arena where the convention will be hailed. 

Reaction to the declaration was mixed, with some on social media hailing the decision while others criticized him for it. 

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For his part, Symon downplayed the whole thing, insisting he wasn't stating political beliefs, just a dislike for Trump, even admitting his love for Ohio governor -- and vanquished Trump GOP foe -- John Kasich. 

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Regardless of what side of this particular debate you fall on, there is one thing we can all appreciate and that's this painting of Donald Trump on a sandwich. 

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The GOP Convention is in Cleveland from July 18 through July 21.

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