Three Diners Burned After Margarita Mix-up at North Carolina Chili’s

WHO:

Fox News - Three customers and two Chili’s employees suffered symptoms after exposure to the chemical used in the margaritas.

WLOS - Three customers ordered the margaritas and experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths; two employees tasted the substance and developed similar symptoms.

WLOS - Foothills Health District investigated the incident and suspended the restaurant’s food service permit. Spokesperson Megan Rollins said the customers went to urgent care and were treated there; she said she was unsure of the degree of their burns.

WLOS - Regular customer Levonne Baker said he was “beyond surprised and almost scared” and compared the incident to “a Wes Craven story that’s coming to life.” He said it made him nervous about returning to the bar.

WLOS - The restaurant chain was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of the report.

WHAT:

Fox News - An industrial degreaser was mistakenly used to prepare margaritas at a North Carolina Chili’s.

WLOS - The Foothills Health District completed its investigation and reinstated the restaurant’s food service permit after determining the restaurant met “all applicable food safety requirements.”

WLOS - Officials instructed staff to wash and sanitize affected food-preparation areas, equipment, and surfaces.

WLOS - Rollins said proper chemical labeling can help identify a substance after accidental ingestion; she said Poison Control can provide guidance on neutralizing it. The Poison Control number provided was 1-800-222-1222.

WHERE:

WLOS - The incident occurred at the Forest City location of Chili’s Grill & Bar in western North Carolina.

WLOS - A vehicle mechanic and an urgent care are located next to the restaurant.

WHEN:

WLOS - Preliminary information indicated that on Monday, Oct. 26, an employee received the degreasing chemical.

WLOS - On Wednesday, Oct. 28, an employee preparing the bar for lunch service used the chemical to make margaritas.

WLOS - By Thursday morning, environmental health specialists had completed the investigation and the permit had been reinstated.

WHY:

WLOS - The employee who prepared the drinks believed the cleaning chemical was sugar.

HOW:

WLOS - A contracted worker power-washing the restaurant’s exterior gave an employee a “granulated degreasing chemical.” The employee put it in an unlabeled container, which was brought inside and left in the bar area.

NY Post - An employee preparing the bar for lunch service mistook a granulated degreaser for sugar.

WLOS - Three customers drank the margaritas, immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths, told staff, and left to seek medical attention; two employees then tasted the substance and experienced similar symptoms.

(UPDATED October 30, 2026 09:00 UTC)

An industrial degreaser was mistakenly used in margaritas at a North Carolina Chili’s, sickening five people. Customers suffered chemical burns, and employees who tasted the substance developed similar symptoms. Health officials suspended the restaurant’s permit, then reinstated it after safety requirements were met.