Chili's in North Carolina Reopens After Chemical Margarita Burns

A Chili's Grill & Bar in Forest City, North Carolina, resumed operations following a week-long closure after five people suffered chemical burns from margaritas. The incident occurred on October 28, when guests ordered drinks shortly after the restaurant opened for lunch. The Foothills Health District confirmed the location shut down on Thursday and reopened the next day after inspectors completed their review.

According to the health district, a worker preparing the bar for service found an unlabeled container. Believing the white substance inside was sugar, the employee used it to rim the glasses for the margarita station. The restaurant’s menu lists several margarita options that traditionally use a citrus-sugar rimmer instead of salt. The chemical turned out to be a granulated degreaser.

The contamination began on the morning of October 26. A contracted worker power washing the exterior handed a granulated degreasing chemical to a restaurant employee. That employee placed the substance into an unlabeled container. For reasons not yet explained, the container was moved inside and left in the bar area. Two days later, the mistaken ingredient entered the drink preparation process.

Five individuals reported symptoms. Three customers and two staff members tasted the affected margaritas. The health district stated they immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths. Megan Rollins, a spokesperson for the Foothills Health District, said the injured parties received medical treatment. She noted the investigation is now closed and no fines were issued, though she did not provide details on their current conditions.

Chili’s issued an email response regarding the incident. The company described it as an event isolated to the single Forest City restaurant. They stated their team took immediate action to support the affected guests and Team Members. The spokesperson said the company thoroughly investigated the circumstances and addressed the specific issues at that location.

A discrepancy exists in the reported number of injured guests. The health district identified three customers and two workers as affected. The Chili’s spokesperson initially said the incident resulted in injuries to two guests and two Team Members. The spokesperson did not respond to a follow-up question seeking an explanation for the difference in the customer count.

The Forest City location sits about 60 miles west of Charlotte. Health inspectors verified the cause of the burns before allowing the restaurant to reopen. The restaurant remains open for business.