'86 it': Restaurant workers say the term at the center of James Comey's indictment is 'everyday lingo'
By Dareh Gregorian
Published on April 30, 2026.
Former FBI Director James Comey's use of the term "86" on Instagram was deemed a threat to President Donald Trump, but some food service workers believe it is "everyday lingo" to them. Mike Reyes, a 45-year-old operational excellence consultant at FLIK Hospitality Group, said that any time a product is unavailable and needs to be replenished or replaced, such as when the staff runs out of an item. David Brungoli, owner and chef at Pavin 86, an upscale New York City Italian eatery, called this interpretation "ridiculous". The term, which is also the focus of a federal indictment against Comey in North Carolina, has been used to indicate when an item is sold out at a soda fountain.
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