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Chili’s Margaritas Leave Customers With Chemical Burns
Three customers suffered chemical burns after margaritas at a North Carolina Chili’s were prepared with a cleaning chemical that had been mistaken for a bar ingredient. Two employees later reported similar symptoms after tasting the substance.
From Chili's Grill & Bar photos on google
A margarita order at a Chili’s Grill & Bar in North Carolina turned into a chemical exposure incident after an unlabeled container of degreaser was mistaken for an ingredient used at the bar.
The incident happened Wednesday, October 28, at a Chili’s location in Forest City, according to the Foothills Health District.
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Health officials said the chain of events began two days earlier, on Monday, October 26. A restaurant employee received a granulated degreasing chemical from a contracted worker who was power washing the outside of the building. The substance was placed in an unlabeled container, brought inside the restaurant and left in the bar area.
When another employee prepared the bar for lunch service on Wednesday, officials said the contents of the container were mistaken for a bar ingredient and used to prepare the margarita station.
Shortly after the restaurant opened, three customers ordered margaritas. According to health officials, they immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths after consuming the drinks.
The customers alerted restaurant staff and left to seek medical attention. Two employees subsequently tasted the substance and reported similar symptoms, according to the preliminary investigation.
The Foothills Health District immediately suspended the restaurant's food service permit and ordered affected food preparation areas, equipment and surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
By Thursday, October 29, environmental health specialists had completed their investigation and reinstated the restaurant's food service permit after determining the location met applicable food safety requirements.
Chili’s described the incident as isolated to its Forest City location and said it took immediate action to support those affected and prevent further injuries.
The investigation has highlighted a basic but critical food-safety issue: chemicals must be properly labeled, stored and handled to prevent them from being mistaken for food or drink ingredients.
For customers expecting a cheap margarita and a plate of comfort food, the Forest City incident was a reminder that sometimes the biggest danger at the bar has nothing to do with having one drink too many.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on reporting published October 29–30, 2026, citing the Foothills Health District. The restaurant's permit was reinstated after corrective measures and an inspection. The conditions of those affected were not publicly detailed.
