Chili's in Forest City Reopens After Chemical Burns Linked to Margaritas

A Chili's Grill & Bar in Forest City, North Carolina, resumed operations on Friday following an incident where a cleaning chemical was mistakenly used to prepare margaritas. The error caused chemical burns for three patrons and two staff members. The restaurant is located roughly 60 miles west of Charlotte.

According to the Foothills Health District, the sequence began on the morning of October 26. A restaurant employee received a granulated degreasing chemical from a contracted worker who was power washing the exterior. The employee placed the substance into an unlabeled container. For reasons the health district described as unclear, that container was brought inside and left in the bar area.

Two days later, a worker preparing the bar for lunch service found the unlabeled container. Believing the contents to be sugar, the employee used the chemical to prepare the margarita station. Chili's menus indicate that several margaritas are made with a citrus-sugar rimmer in addition to traditional salt. Customers who ordered drinks shortly after the restaurant opened for lunch immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths. Two restaurant employees subsequently tasted the substance and reported similar symptoms.

The Foothills Health District shut down the eatery on Thursday. Local health inspectors conducted a review before allowing the location to reopen the next day. Megan Rollins, a spokesperson for the health district, said in an email that the investigation was closed and no fines were issued. She confirmed that the injured parties received medical treatment but provided no details about their specific conditions.

A Chili's spokesperson described the event in an email as an incident isolated to the single restaurant in Forest City. The company stated that the incident resulted in injuries to two guests and two Team Members. The spokesperson noted that the team took immediate action to support those affected and avoid further injuries. The company said it has thoroughly investigated the circumstances and addressed the issues specific to this location.

The health district reported three injured customers, while the restaurant spokesperson cited two. The Chili's representative did not respond to a follow-up question from NBC News seeking an explanation for the discrepancy in the number of injured patrons. The restaurant is now back in business.