NYC Chipotle customer allegedly ‘bit into a rodent’ inside burrito bowl ordered through DoorDash:
A woman is suing after she alleges she “bit into a rodent” in a burrito bowl she ordered from a Chipotle Mexican Grill on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Gia Bernhardt, 24, placed an order for a burrito bowl with a side of chips and guacamole from the Chipotle located between East 84th and East 85th Street and Third Avenue on Jan. 11 via the DoorDash app, according to a civil complaint obtained by The Post. The lawsuit, filed Monday in New York County Supreme Court, claims that Bernhardt “bit into a rodent contained within the meal she was consuming.”
The complaint added that “[t]he rodent was within the plaintiff’s mouth after biting into the meal,” and that the incident caused her to experience “severe bodily injuries,” along with pain, shock, and mental anguish.
The lawsuit argues that the chain “knew or should have known that its product was dangerous to members of the general public.” Chipotle has denied the allegations, saying it “will vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.”
Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer, said the company’s internal investigation concluded that the object in question is “a chicken tendon/ligament.” She emphasized, “The health and safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority, and we have industry-leading food safety practices in place across our restaurants.”
DoorDash and an unnamed delivery worker are also listed as co-defendants. The complaint alleges the delivery worker “improperly and negligently delivered the product in an unsafe and unsanitary manner.”
Details about Bernhardt’s injuries or the type of rodent allegedly in the meal have not been released. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Neither DoorDash nor Bernhardt’s attorney, Steven Vaccaro, responded to requests for comment from The Post.
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