A pizzeria in Germany was recently busted for selling more than just pizza. A major undercover operation revealed that customers who asked for secret item number 40 received a side of cocaine with their pizza. The investigation led to a major drug ring bust where several homes and properties were raided, which led to several arrests. This German pizzeria is just one of several restaurants that have been caught serving narcotics with their food. Here is a list of ten restaurants that were busted for selling drugs.

Related: 10 Times Potential Crime Evidence Was Found at a Thrift Store

10 Armadillo Grill (Raleigh, NC)

The Armadillo Grill in Raleigh, North Carolina, had their permit to serve alcohol suspended after a drug bust in 2023. The popular restaurant and nearby Botanical Lounge were both investigated for selling marijuana and cocaine out of their businesses, along with non-tax-paid alcoholic beverages. Five people were arrested in the bust that took place at both companies.

Armadillo Grill had initially agreed to stop serving alcohol for 64 days, but customers were shocked when they found the doors to the restaurant permanently closed. The business had served the area for more than 20 years and was a popular restaurant that served authentic Tex-Mex food. The Armadillo Grill claimed that this location no longer served their customer base.^[1]

9 Mexzzarella Pizzeria (Bronx, NY)

A pizzeria in the Bronx was caught selling narcotics along with their pizzas. In 2023, three people were charged with running a drug ring out of Mexzzarella Pizzeria when authorities seized over 100 pounds of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl that was worth more than $4 million. Authorities found 42 kilos of cocaine, a kilo of heroin and fentanyl, and several other drugs. Vials of crack cocaine were stored near the pizza counter for convenient sales.

Most of the drugs were found stashed in the basement of the pizzeria, along with a kilo press and about $40,000 in cash. Authorities had been watching the trio for a while as they walked in and out carrying bags and backpacks from the restaurant that sits directly across the street from an elementary school. The three workers were charged with operating as a major trafficker and criminal possession of a controlled substance.^[2]

8 Mamma Ventura’s Restaurant (Gettysburg, PA)

Mamma Ventura’s Restaurant and Loung opened in 1977 in downtown Gettysburg and was started by Carmelo Fazzolari. He passed away in 2003, and his wife Jackie and daughter Cristina became co-runners of the popular restaurant. Cristina graduated from the Cordon Bleu School in Pittsburgh and was listed as a “celebrated chef” on the company’s website. Earlier this year, Cristina was caught selling more than just food.

She faced several charges for selling drugs behind the restaurant and was in possession of cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. Her husband was also charged with possession and intent to deliver, but he also faced additional charges of prohibited possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. The couple were found to be selling drugs in the alleyway behind the restaurant, and they were even caught driving somewhere to deliver cocaine with their child in the backseat. The restaurant remains open.^[3]

7 Pollos Asados “El Gordo” (San Antonio, TX)

If you’ve watched Breaking Bad, then you are familiar with Gus Fring. He ran a drug-trafficking operation out of his Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant chain, but Jonathan Linares Lumbreras has been described as the real-life Fring. Lumbreras was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine after being caught selling the drugs out of his San Antonio restaurant earlier this year.

Lumbreras’ Pollos Asados “El Gordo” restaurant was a popular place to eat on the West Side, and it was even featured on a local program that highlighted local restaurants. He had several drug mules that carried out his transactions and transported his drugs. He was also arrested in 2021 after being in possession of 25 kilos of cocaine, two silencers, 35 firearms, $265,000 in cash, and other items. He only received 20 months in prison for that charge, but he faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.^[4]

6 McDonald’s (New York)

Several McDonald’s customers were saying “I’m Lovin’ It” after receiving drugs with their meal. Frank Guerrero was a night shift manager of a McDonald’s in the Bronx for eight years before being arrested for selling cocaine and crack cocaine. The authorities spent three months investigating Guerrero as part of their “Operation Off the Menu.”

The drive-thru at this McDonald’s location was open 24 hours, but the inside of the restaurant would close late at night. Guerrero would unlock the doors, though, to make his drug sales. He was caught hiding the cocaine inside a cookie bag and handing it to customers with two cheeseburgers, fries, and a soda. He sold cocaine to undercover officers eight times, including a time when he sold more than $6,000 worth of cocaine and stashed it in the soap dispenser to be picked up.^[5]

5 Happy Days Diner (Auburn, Maine)

Darren Douin, the 43-year-old owner of Happy Days Diner in Auburn, Maine, was arrested after having drugs and a gun on him when stopped by police. The traffic stop earlier this year was part of a long investigation into Douin for manufacturing and selling drugs out of his establishment. Authorities revealed that he may have been selling drugs out of the restaurant for nearly a decade.

Police searched Douin’s home and business, where they found a total of 70 grams of crack, 55 grams of cocaine, 2.2 grams of crystal meth, 112 ecstasy pills, 17 firearms, and $25,000 in drug proceeds. Sources told police that he was manufacturing crack cocaine in the restaurant during overnight hours. After several sources came forward in 2022, the local authorities started investigating Douin and found that he was selling drugs out of his home and restaurant.^[6]

4 PR House Restaurant (Orlando, FL)

Eighteen people who either owned or worked at PR House in Orlando were charged with operating a drug operation out of the business and selling cocaine and fentanyl. A multi-year investigation into the restaurant revealed that drug transactions have been going on for years, and the local authorities have been receiving tips about the restaurant’s drug activity for 15 years.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) began investigating the location while its predecessor was still in business but had made several arrests over the years for drug activity. The OCSO conducted an undercover operation that revealed that the PR House was selling cocaine to around 70 people each day. The owners of the business were looking to expand by using food trucks as new locations to sell narcotics.^[7]

3 El Coqui Restaurant (Troy, New York)

In 2023, 25 people were indicted on drug charges and faced 164 counts, including criminal possession of a controlled substance and felony criminal sale. These people were involved in a drug ring that used El Coqui, a Puerto Rican restaurant, to sell and store drugs. Authorities were able to seize more than three kilograms of cocaine, 40 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, four handguns, and over $50,000 in cash.

The leader was 33-year-old Efrain Acevedo, who is considered a major cocaine distributor. Acevedo was selling narcotics to his customers out of the restaurant and then storing the cash and other drugs inside the restaurant. He previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in 2017 and was given a nine-and-a-half-year sentence, but he was released on parole in 2022. He now faces life in prison if he is found guilty of felony operating as a major trafficker.^[8]

2 Oishi Sushi & Japanese Steakhouse (St. Petersburg, FL)

After selling drugs to an undercover agent, Hai Thanh Bui was arrested for multiple felony charges in 2022. Bui was the owner of Oishi Sushi & Japanese Steakhouse in St. Pete, and investigators found 750 grams of cocaine, 985.5 grams of ecstasy, 65 grams of ketamine, and other drugs inside a safe at the restaurant. Bui was in possession of the key to the safe at the time of his arrest.

Authorities also found a digital scale and several small plastic bags in the restaurant, and they also located two rifles and five handguns in an RV that was on the property. He was also accused of selling stolen goods, including items that came from a nearby restaurant. He is being charged with 21 counts, and his trial is ongoing.^[9]

1 Saks Off Broadway (Bayonne, New Jersey)

Arthur Saks was an award-winning chef who appeared on the competitive cooking show Chopped in 2011, but in 2019, he was arrested and charged with selling drugs out of his Bayonne restaurant. Saks Off Broadway was Saks’s restaurant located on Broadway and East 15th Street, where gourmet sandwiches were served. After an investigation by local authorities, Saks was arrested and charged with heroin possession and distribution, two counts of unlawful possession of prohibited weapons, and other charges.

Detectives recovered 33 glassine bags of heroin, hypodermic syringes, a .38 caliber revolver, and several other drugs and weapons from the restaurant. Saks Off Broadway was closed by the city’s Environmental Health Specialist after unsanitary conditions were found by local authorities. The restaurant was then ordered to cease all operations, but it never reopened.^[10]

Restaurants serve as a comfortable place for people from all walks of life to grab a bite to eat or try expanding their palette. American advertising would be almost unrecognizable without the bold logos of various fast food chains emblazing signs and billboards, enticing customers to order a familiar and comforting salty meal. Aside from the chains, many cities rely on the buzz that unique restaurants within their limits have to offer tourists, attracting them in droves to try the newest trends in culinary fare.

However, not all eateries are as we predict, and many familiar chains and locations bear dark and disturbing pasts that are often hushed in the public eye. Here are ten such restaurants that have been historically riddled with controversy.

Related: 10 Businesses Too Big to Fail That Totally Flopped

10 Waffle House

Waffle House is a staple road-trip chain for residents of the Southern U.S., and their hearty breakfast and diner fare make them a popular choice for travelers on the go or those looking to grab a late-night meal. However, Waffle House is also notorious due to the incredibly high rate of violent crime that has happened in their restaurants, with a particular trend toward robberies and murders.

One such instance occurred in 2018, when on April 22 at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, a man named Travis Reinking pulled up to the restaurant, took out an assault rifle, and began to fatally shoot patrons standing outside its doors. He then entered the restaurant and opened fire in the dining room filled with patrons. The entirety of the attack was caught on surveillance footage, and Reinking was only subdued when a brave patron tackled him to the ground and wrestled away the gun, causing him to flee. While he was eventually captured and brought to justice, four people lost their lives in the attack, and two were seriously injured.

This is one of over seven shooting incidents in Waffle Houses across the United States within the past five years, making it a household name in terms of dangerous places to dine.^[1]

9 Heart Attack Grill

Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Heart Attack Grill is a novelty restaurant whose claim to fame is its monstrously large portions and the high salt, fat, and caloric value of its menu items. Offering immense burgers stacked with up to eight patties and containing nearly 20,000 calories each, Heart Attack’s menu is rounded out with sides of fries cooked in pure lard, the ever-present alcoholic drinks, and what they proudly call “butterfat” milkshakes.

The restaurant hasn’t been shy of controversy since its opening, with many saying that it glorifies obesity, especially due to its policy that those who weigh in at 350 pounds (163.3 kilograms) or more before their meal eat for free. The restaurant’s name comes from what they boast as what may result from eating their food, with servers cheekily dressed like nurses in case of “emergency.” However, this tongue-in-cheek humor loses its appeal when one learns that people have suffered heart attacks right in their dining room while chowing down on one of their “bypass burgers.”

In February 2013, 52-year-old restaurant patron John Alleman had just made it out the front door to wait for the bus after indulging in one of the restaurant’s burgers when he suddenly collapsed to the ground and passed away from what officials declared a heart attack.

To make things worse, this was not the first time that a customer had suffered heart issues as a result of the restaurant’s food, with two separate incidents the previous year sending patrons to the emergency room in serious condition. Restaurant spokesman Jon Basso’s response to pleas from medical agencies to shut down the restaurant was to acquire one of these customer’s cremated remains and display them at the restaurant as a sort of badge of honor.^[2]

8 Domino’s Pizza

Domino’s Pizza may be a familiar and beloved pizza delivery chain to customers across North America, but the chain has a dark side that few know of. Back in the ’80s, the marketing team at Domino’s decided to create a mascot to fit the brand’s advertising campaign. They came up with the Noid, a sort of man-rabbit hybrid with signature buck teeth. The introduction of this character proved a great success for the business, shooting sales up to levels competitive with rival Pizza Hut. Still, its runtime was quickly cut short when an incident a few years later brought a stain upon the Noid’s name.

At noontime on January 30, 1989, a man by the name of Kenneth Noid burst through the doors at Domino’s in Chamblee, Georgia, wielding a .357 revolver. Demanding $100,000 in ransom money, Noid took two employees hostage, resulting in a standoff that lasted over five hours. Noid felt that the company’s popular commercials were intended as a personal insult to him.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, and while Noid was brought before courts, he was acquitted of all charges by reason of insanity. This caused a media frenzy, turning the profitable Noid into a PR crisis. To make matters worse, Kenneth Noid would commit suicide years later, still convinced that the mascot was intended to insult him. Following this, Domino’s pulled the character, desperately trying to avoid the association between their pizza and violent crime.

To further this, Domino’s drivers have been known to fall victim to set-up robberies, with an incident in 2022 in Detroit resulting in the murder of a delivery driver.^[3]

7 Arby’s

When biting into a tasty roast beef sandwich, the last thing a customer would expect (or want) to find is a human finger! However, in one such instance at an Arby’s in Michigan, a 14-year-old boy was biting into a Junior Roast Beef when he struck something tough and fleshy. It turned out to be the bottom of an employee’s finger, who had failed to report that they’d accidentally sliced it off in the store’s meat slicer. The Atlanta spokesman for Arby’s apologized, describing the situation as “unfortunate.” However, despite the circumstances, the chain was allowed to continue serving the public after a thorough cleanup.

This is not the first time, unfortunately, that Arby’s has come under fire for human body pieces being found within their food. In an earlier, separate incident, a man from Tipp City, Ohio, sued his local Arby’s after biting into a sandwich and finding a piece of flesh that was described to be “about three-fourths of an inch long.” In a similar manner to the previous case, the restaurant manager had sliced the skin off of his finger when chopping lettuce and failed to throw out the container that it fell into.

The company representatives continued to stand behind their employees in this instance, stating that the manager “did destroy product that was in and around the slicer immediately, and did everything that he thought was appropriate to do.” Clearly, all Arby’s customers should take a close look at the meat in their sandwich before delving in.^[4]

6 Comet Ping Pong

This next case may seem familiar, especially for those who have heard the term “Pizzagate.” In 2016, during the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election, a wave of posts by alt-right extremists flooded social media, falsely claiming that Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria located in Washington, D.C., was conspiring with Hillary Clinton in running a child sex trafficking ring and that it was a meeting ground for satanic rituals. This resulted in numerous people publicly denouncing the pizzeria, and the restaurant owner’s personal information was leaked online. As the buzz surrounding the place escalated, the tensions did as well.

Fueled by conspiracy theories, a man named Edgar M. Welch drove six hours to the pizza place, determined to see the truth for himself. He burst into the store to “save the victims” of these rings, toting an AR-15-style assault rifle and a handgun and fired off a round into the busy restaurant.

Miraculously, nobody was hurt, and despite trying to argue that he was simply trying to save enslaved children, Mr. Welch was charged with four counts, including carrying a gun without a license and assault with a deadly weapon. The pizza joint never lived down the swirl of rumors, which demonstrates just how far online hate campaigns can go and the real-life damage they can potentially incite.^[5]

5 Adamson BBQ, Toronto

When one thinks back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, thoughts of sold-out toilet paper and mandatory masking come to mind. There’s nothing that incites panic like a pandemic, and most businesses were more than willing to comply with restrictions put in place surrounding social distancing. That is, except for one Toronto barbecue joint called Adamson BBQ.

The owner of the location, Adam Skelly, refused to close the joint to in-person dining during the restrictions despite the risks that posed to the public. Skelly received repeated summons from the government to close operations, which he refused, reopening the next day after Toronto Public Health came to shut down the joint. It took the organization having to padlock the doors shut for the restaurant to finally cease operation. This is after Skelly was charged nine times for bylaw violations, with his bill at the end totaling $ 187,000 in fines.

It later came out that Adamson BBQ had been actively operating without a business license for four years, had a history of skirting public health code violations, and owed roughly $ 50,000 in unpaid rent. Despite his restaurant finally being shut down and himself being arrested, Skelly continued to post anti-lockdown propaganda to the restaurant’s Instagram. He filed a constitutional challenge against the city for the pandemic restrictions.

Rumors swirl that he may be planning a comeback, with the restaurant’s Instagram bio reading, “No more BBQ, V2 coming soon.” With his track record, it would be unsurprising if he follows through, but diners be warned: This is a man willing to cut corners to prove a point.^[6]

4 Subway

Subway, known as the largest chain restaurant in the United States in terms of the number of locations, is also known to have a somewhat spotty past. The greatest scandal is one well known, and Subway has had a hard time living it down in the years since. Seeking to brand itself as a healthy alternative to fast food, Subway was delighted to learn that Jared Fogle, a man from Indiana, had embarked on a weight-loss journey in which he subsisted solely on Subway sandwiches for a year.

Fogle’s plan worked remarkably well, causing him to lose 245 pounds (111 kilograms) in that timeframe. Subway hammed him up in the media, declaring him a spokesman and the face of their healthy eating campaign. However, this would soon turn rotten. After a woman in 2014 accused Fogle of attempting to send her child pornography, his house was raided by police. Fogle pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child porn and traveling to other states to have sex with a minor. He is still serving his 15-year sentence. Clearly, Subway failed to vet their spokesman.

Something further smelled fishy with Subway, or perhaps not. Dubbed TunaGate, Nilma Amin of Colorado sued Subway, claiming that their tuna subs partially or wholly lack tuna at all. She cited a study done by a marine biologist who found that upon extracting DNA, “there were no detectable tuna DNA sequences whatsoever” within the tuna at Subway.

What’s more, after Subway outright denied these allegations, a federal judge found that the case could go ahead regardless. This is not the first time that Subway’s products have been under the microscope either, with a Canadian investigative consumer program conducting a further DNA study, which found that Subway chicken, when tested, is only half meat, with the other half being soy. Clearly, Subway needs to be more authentic, quite literally.^[7]

3 Don Diego

Jumping across the pond, the town of Sutton-Coldfield in Birmingham, England, was shocked when the owner of the tapas bar, Don Diego, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Ahmet Dincer was paranoid, believing that two of his employees, Carlos Tirado and Monica Lopes, were plotting a revolt to take down his restaurant.

The two had quit recently amid protest after failing to receive their wages. So, out of what Dincer called revenge, he called them to a meeting in his office, where he proceeded to bash Tirado with a baseball bat, sprayed him with CS spray, and shot at him with an air pistol. The attack was so aggressive that CCTV video showed the bat snapping in half.

Tirado managed to fend him off by throwing a chair and wine bottles, and the two fled to the restaurant next door. Upon being arrested, Dincer refuted claims that he intended to kill the pair, saying, “Let’s not cheat anyone here; if I wanted to kill them both, I could have.” Apparently, since he had not brought a gun, Dincer felt that the attack did not show an intent to kill.

Dincer had also poured accelerant over the grounds of the restaurant after the attack, attempting to light the place ablaze but ultimately failed to do so. He was charged with two counts of attempted arson, as well as attempted wounding with intent. Be careful who you work for at restaurants, folks.^[8]

2 Denny’s

At Denny’s, you might seek a stack of fat, tasty pancakes, but alongside them, you might encounter… racism? Denny’s has had a problematic past when it comes to discrimination in their restaurants. In the ’90s, complaints were launched by thousands of customers across California Denny’s, claiming civil rights violations. Thirty-two of them sued the chain, citing a “discriminatory corporate culture.”

In one particular instance, a group of Black students at a San Jose Denny’s were asked to prepay for their orders and pay a cover fee before sitting down. However, they brought classmates with them who were white, and they were not asked to do the same. Further, a 13-year-old girl was denied the well-known free birthday meal at another California Denny’s. Even when she presented her baptismal certificate to prove her age, the chain declined to provide her the meal.

A final lawsuit occurred when a group of Black secret service agents went to Denny’s with their white colleagues and were seated separately and ended up waiting an extra hour for their meal than their white counterparts. The men angrily got up and left before filing a complaint. With this and the previous allegations, they were racking up the complaints. With 32 people launching suits across the country, Denny’s was forced to pay out $54 million in settlement funds. Since then, Denny’s has done a major upheaval of its diversity policies, considering the stain this left.^[9]

1 El Parian Restaurants

The final series of restaurants that harbor an untoward past are the El Parian Mexican Restaurants—a brand local to Minnesota—that was shut down due to being revealed as drug fronts, as well as covers for an elaborate money laundering scheme.

In true Breaking Bad fashion, owner Aldo Escoto and two co-defendants were charged with not only possession and distribution of illegal substances, but the three also used the restaurants to harbor and staff undocumented immigrants. Apparently, these Honduran civilians “were willing to work long hours for multiple days at a time,” which made them attractive employees for the pair.

The whole operation of the restaurants was said to have been paid for with illegal drug money, according to a federal indictment, which was therefore used as a cover to flush through illegally earned cash. The workers were paid only in cash, and Escoto even purchased properties for them to live in order to continue the scheme.

According to the indictment, drugs were also sold and dealt directly out of these restaurants at the same time. The good news in all of this, however, is that the stores were sold to new owners upon the trio’s arrest. So, if you run into an El Parian, you won’t have to worry about finding any secret spice in your tacos.^[10]

“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart.”? Erma Bombeck

Travelling goes hand in hand with trying out unfamiliar exotic cuisine. And while you’re at it, why not try it in a unique restaurant? On this list are some of the most unusual restaurants in the world, ready and waiting to serve locals and tourists and provide a memorable experience.

See Also: 10 Iconic Movie And TV Restaurants That Are Actually Real

10 The Catacombs: Pennsylvania

If you don’t suffer from claustrophobia, then dining at The Catacombs inside Bube’s Brewery in Pennsylvania might just be for you. After joining the host and going on a tour of Bube’s Brewery, you must descend 43 feet underground to get to the cellar that makes up the eatery. The menu has fantastic offerings that include gourmet options and Grade A steak.

What’s more, it is said that Bube’s Brewery, which contains the cellar, is haunted. Ghosthunters have investigated the brewery and allegedly found evidence of ghostly activity. Because of this, the brewery has decided to hire a paranormal investigation team to entertain diners with spooky tales of supernatural activity.

9 Soneva (Treepod Dining): Thailand

If you’ve ever wanted a bird’s eye view while enjoying a gourmet meal, then look no further than the Soneva restaurant in Thailand. You will be hoisted up amongst the trees in the Koh Kood rainforest while seated in a ‘bird’s nest’ or bamboo pod. The bamboo pod can hold 4 people and was woven by a local craftsman.

Once you are settled, your personal waiter will use a zip-line to get you your food and drinks while you enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean and boulders in the distance. Additionally, the cozy atmosphere of the pod itself is said to ease the minds of those who are afraid of heights.

8 El Diablo: Spain

Withstanding the heat or getting out of the kitchen, is taken quite literally at the El Diablo restaurant in Spain. This eatery sits on nine layers of basalt rock on the island of Lanzarote and incorporates a giant grill laid across a hole in the ground, which just happens to lead down into a dormant volcano.

6 feet below the grill, lava bubbles at 400 degrees Celsius which generates the desired temperature to cook delicious meals. While you wait for your food, you can enjoy the view of Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park and the Fire Mountains which consist of around 100 volcanos.

7 The Great Viking Feast: Canada

The Great Viking Feast Dinner Theatre is located at Fishing Point, St. Anthony, Canada and is only open between June and September. Here you can immerse yourself in Viking culture and enjoy a buffet of food believed to have been eaten by the Vikings. The restaurant itself is a 100-seat Viking sod hut.

You can also join in the fun of ‘presenting’ a court case to the Lawspeaker (as a customer) and deciding on the fate of the Vikings or other customers. At the end of the evening you will have become an honorary Viking and receive a special certificate.

6 Mermaid Lounge: Las Vegas

There are a lot of things to do and a lot of fine dining experiences in Las Vegas. One of the most unique restaurants off the Las Vegas Strip is Mermaid Lounge. The restaurant & lounge offers excellent food, while customers can enjoy the 117,000-gallon aquarium that houses 4000 tropical fish as well as mermaids.

The mermaids can be seen on Thursdays through Sunday and are usually in the tank for about 2 hours at a time. They are trained water dancers and love interacting with kids and posing for pictures with them. What’s more, on Saturdays, there is a Mermaid School for children between the ages of 7 and 12 that teaches them how to swim with mermaid tails.

5 The Lockup: Japan

The Lockup is referred to as an izakaya and is focused on drinks and food is a side item. In this restaurant you can order individual items off the menu and pay full price or select an eat/drink package that you can enjoy in a ‘dungeon’ room.

Before you sit down however, you must walk through a corridor where things basically ‘jump out’ at you to scare you. When you arrive in the actual restaurant, a waiter dressed as a police officer will come over to ‘arrest’ you after you ‘confess’ to your crime of choice. If you are in a group, only one will be handcuffed and the whole group led to a table.

At some point during the meal, sirens start wailing and lights start flashing before ‘escaped prisoners’ start running through the restaurant. You then get to watch the police officers run after and catch them and lock them up again while you finish your food.

4 New Lucky Restaurant: India

If you want a spooky atmosphere while eating, the New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmedabad, India specializes in exactly that. Considering that the restaurant is built within a cemetery, they didn’t have to do much to bring the creepy factor.

Owner, Krishnan Kutti, decided to build his restaurant ‘around’ the graves instead of over them. It is believed that the graves belonged to Muslim followers of a 16th century Sufi saint and steel bars have been erected around them for protection. The green coffins (12 in total) are cleaned daily and flowers placed near them as a sign of respect.

The restaurant is very popular especially since Kutti claims that eating among the dead brings good luck.

3Redwoods Treehouse: New Zealand

The Redwoods Treehouse restaurant in New Zealand started out as a marketing stunt by the Yellow Pages. All the parts and services used in the design and construction of the restaurant were found in the yellow pages. It was originally named the Yellow Treehouse and was open for casual dining between 2008 and 2009 before changing ownership and name.

The entire restaurant is in the shape of a chrysalis and hugs a redwood tree 10 metres up. There is a tree top walkway that leads to the restaurant which can hold 30 guests at a time. These days the restaurant is only open for private functions such as parties and corporate dining.

2 Dans le Noir: London

Following in the same trend as sign language restaurants, Dans le Noir in London offers a sight deprivation experience. Food is served in a room dark enough that guests can’t see their hands in front of their faces and the wait staff are visually impaired.

The first restaurant was opened in Paris in 2004 with the aim of allowing those who have sight to experience what it would be like to be blind. Another goal was to create more employment opportunities for the blind.

When guests arrive at the eatery, they are instructed to leave their phones and cigarette lighters in a locker and then get in line with their hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them. The line is then manoeuvred into the dark eating area, with the assistance of the waitrons.

The best part, according to several patrons, is the opportunity to let go of conventional table manners and eat food with your hands or drink your beverage straight from the bottle.

1 Cabbages and Condoms: Bangkok

Walking past Captain Condom and seeing a Santa Claus sporting a condom beard, is just the beginning of the educational experience patrons have while dining at Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok. There is even a Christmas tree bedazzled with condoms as decorations.

The restaurant was opened by PDA (The Population and Community Development Association), who believe that birth control should be as easily accessible as cabbages in a market. The proceeds go towards community HIV/AIDS outreach programs and safe-sex awareness. The entire restaurant buys in to the concept with the wait staff wearing inflated condoms as hats. If you look closely, you will also see condom-shaped light fixtures in between the regular ones. At the end of your meal, guests receive a condom as a gift instead of the usual mint. Also, should any of the male patrons feel the need to have a vasectomy after their meal, they can undergo the procedure for free in the family-planning clinic next to the restaurant.

Quick service restaurant (QSR) is an industry term for chain restaurants that prioritize speed and low cost as their selling points. We in the real world know them as something else: fast food. Not only that, but we also associate them with other, less flattering characteristics like low quality, unhealthy options, and a last resort. Comedian Bill Burr once said that these restaurants are for two people: kids and drunk people.

Much like the term QSR, these restaurants are constantly looking for ways to rebrand themselves and distance themselves from the stigma that comes with the term “fast food.” This list will detail some of the ways these fast food restaurants have attempted to break the mold (or fully embrace it) in order to reach a wider consumer base.

10 McDonald’s Art Posters

This promotion has a bit of lore to it. Back in 1998, McDonald’s released a Szechuan dipping sauce for their chicken nuggets as a promotion for the Disney film Mulan. The promotion came and went, and then nearly two decades later, in April 2017, an episode of the animated show Rick and Morty aired that prominently featured the long-forgotten dipping sauce. The popularity of the show with people on the internet caused the old promotion to go viral, with people physically going to their local McDonald’s to demand the sauce. Eventually, McDonald’s bought in and released the sauce for a limited time.

Seeing how people were “obsauced” (their words, not mine) with the Szechuan dipping sauce, McDonald’s created a promotion for their new Buttermilk Crispy Tenders that utilized the dipping sauces as the highlight. The popular chain partnered with Delicious Design League to create a series of posters that “captured the essence” of nine available sauces: Honey, Honey Mustard, Creamy Ranch, Signature, Buffalo, Hot Mustard, Sriracha Mac Sauce, Sweet and Sour, and Tangy Barbeque. The designs were actually a lot more interesting than I thought they would be and included one for the Szechuan sauce. While they are no longer available for purchase, you can still find them on eBay for some ridiculously high prices.^[1]

9 Einstein Bros. Bagels Wake-Up Tones

If you’re like me, waking up in the morning can be a struggle. But if you’re also like me, food is a big motivator. Einstein Bros. Bagels recognized that a lot of people fit into the center of that Venn diagram and devised a promotion around it. To help all of us get up on the right side of the bed, Einstein Bros. created wake-up tones that are downloadable as an mp3 to get you up and ready for the most important meal of the day. The wake-up tones included bacon sizzling, coffee brewing, eggs frying, and a rooster crowing. Furthermore, upon downloading these delicious tones, you would receive a voucher for a free egg sandwich!

I’m going to be honest here: This sounds like a way for a megacorporation to subliminally control the masses or create sleeper cells. Download these tones and get a free egg sandwich. What could be the harm in that? Now, use those tones as an alarm clock to motivate you to get up and eat our delicious food every day. Sure, nothing suspicious there. Unfortunately, the site to download the tones is no longer up, so it cannot be confirmed whether or not the tones contained mind-controlling material. Convenient.^[2]

8 Taco Bell Fashion Show with Forever 21

Call me crazy, but Taco Bell and fashion aren’t two things I often associate with each other. Instead, my mind goes to late nights, guilty pleasures, and regret the following day. So it is a bit of a surprise to find out that in 2017, Taco Bell teamed up with Forever 21 to create a unique fashion line. It was then debuted at a late-night fashion show featuring a DJ, fan-submitted modeling, and two models who went viral for taking their senior photos at Taco Bell.

Apparently, this clothing line was a huge success, with a lot of the products selling out quite quickly. While the concepts and designs are pretty cool, these outfits are definitely for fit, young people (i.e., not me) and not for the guy pulling up at midnight in stained sweatpants ready to dig into some crunchwraps (i.e., me).^[3]

7 Burger King Whopper Severance

Fair warning: you’re going to see Burger King pop up in this list a few times. They are one of those examples of a QSR fully embracing their fast food identity and just weirding it up with some really bizarre campaigns (does anyone remember the video game they made?).

The first promotion we’re looking at is the Whopper Severance Package. Burger King was offering a free Whopper to anyone who admitted to being fired from their job. “Getting fired might not be fun, but at Burger King restaurants, getting fired like the flame-grilled Whopper sandwich is always a good thing,” their PR statement proclaims. Okay, that pun was a bit of a stretch, but it is an interesting way to bring in new workers. Sure, you got fired, but now you get a free Whopper, and you might as well fill out this job application while you’re here.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why not just lie and get the free Whopper? Well, the way this works is that you have to announce that you’ve been fired over Linkedin with the proper hashtags, and then Burger King will send you a link to a voucher that you can then bring to your local Burger King. The best part is that even their press release states that Linkedin isn’t a part of the promotion. I’m sure they were pleased.^[4]

6 Paving for Pizza

This might be the most wholesome campaign on this list. After receiving numerous complaints from customers that their pizzas had been delivered severely damaged, Domino’s conducted some research. After placing cameras in their pizza boxes while drivers were out on the road, they got to see exactly what happened to the pizzas and found that damaged roads led to damaged pizzas. This led to Domino’s creating its Paving for Pizzas campaign with the slogan “bad roads shouldn’t happen to good pizza.”

With Paving for Pizzas, Domino’s planned to provide grants to municipalities to fix their roads so that their customers would receive the pristine pies they deserved. Customers simply had to submit their zip code, and whichever zip codes received the most submissions would be chosen for the campaign. Domino’s would then approach the representatives of the municipalities with a $5,000 grant along with Domino’s brand road signs and stencils. The campaign quickly reached its goal of 50 towns in 50 states, and the Paving for Pizza site has plenty of photos and stories detailing the success.

This campaign is actually really smart, and it helped a lot of communities. Also, what a great way to get some marketing research on where your largest customer bases are located from the submitted zip codes. Now, if only I liked their pizzas…^[5]

5 Burger King’s Nightmare King

While the previous campaign might have been wholesome, this one is diabolical. This burger was released just in time for Halloween of 2018 and was comprised of a 1/4 beef patty, crispy chicken fillet, melted American cheese, thick-cut bacon, mayonnaise, and onions topped with a green glazed bun. While the sandwich certainly looks like a nightmare, there is actually a more nefarious purpose to this concoction. Burger King claims that this burger will give you nightmares.

Burger King actually partnered with sleep specialists to gather scientific evidence to prove their claim. The study was conducted on 100 individuals over a span of 10 nights. The somnologists concluded that a person was 3.5 times more likely to experience nightmares after eating the Nightmare King, with participants describing nightmares like morphing into a snake or being attacked by aliens while on a boat. The scientists hypothesize that the unique mixture of proteins and cheese led to an interruption in the REM cycle, resulting in the nightmares.

It seems that Burger King was so caught up in figuring out if they could do something that they never thought about if they should actually do it. As far as I’m concerned, Burger King is up there with Einstein Bros. regarding questionable intentions. I mean, Domino’s is over here fixing potholes while Burger King is trying to give people nightmares. Unfortunately, I could not find anyone including their dreams in their review of the sandwich, which seems like a real missed opportunity on Burger King’s part. Could you imagine them creating a curated blog on their site with customer-submitted nightmares?^[6]

4 The Arby’s Marrot

Arby’s is often seen as the bottom of the barrel, even by fast food standards. What you see is what you get with Arby’s, which is even reflected in their slogan, “we have the meats.” Arby’s clearly takes that slogan very seriously with this gimmick. A growing trend in the QSR industry is developing plant-based options for vegans and vegetarians. When asked about this, an Arby’s rep stated that it is impossible that Arby’s will follow that trend.

In fact, to further prove they have the meats, Arby’s has decided to combat the plant-based trend by creating the megetable. Pronounced like “vegetable” but with an “m,” the megetable is a pseudo-vegetable created from meat. Their first and only entry is the marrot, which, if you haven’t caught on to the pattern, is a meat carrot. Made from turkey breast, the marrot looks and surprisingly tastes a lot like an actual carrot. It even contains 30 grams of protein and 70% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin A, making it as healthy as a vegetable. Ironically, the one way the marrot fails is in the texture compared to a carrot—which is actually a common criticism of most plant-based imitation meat.

While the marrot is not available at Arby’s yet, they have created a recipe video so you can make your very own marrots at home! Furthermore, they indicate that they look forward to creating more megetables and may even include them on menus in the future. PETA might think Arby’s is stuck in the Stone Age, but Arby’s knows its reputation and has decided to play to that perception. Soon you may be able to find your healthy meat-based alternatives at your local Arby’s!^[7]

3 Carl’s Jr. Rocky Mountain High Burger

Jumping on the trends at the right time is key to the success of QSR franchises, and Carl’s Jr. definitely chose the right time and place with this burger. Released in Denver and named after a song by John Denver, Carl’s junior revealed that on 4/20/2019, they would release their CBD-infused burger.

The burger featured two patties: Santa Fe sauce infused with locally sourced CBD, pickled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and Crisscut fries. The CBD burgers sold very well, and Carl’s Jr. is considering making it a more regular menu item. “It’s one day, one location; I’m here, might as well,” stated a customer, and honestly, that is the type of reaction I’d expect from someone interested in this burger. Much like Arby’s, Carl’s Jr. is playing up to the stereotype that fast food and Colorado bring.^[8]

2 KFC’s Recipe for Seduction

It’s not a stretch to say that Kentucky Fried Chicken’s reputation rivals that of Arby’s. I mean, they created a menu item that is just a bowl with all their offerings mixed together for people who have just given up. Yet, despite all that, they hold a special place on many people’s palates under the guise of “comfort food.” In the digital age, comfort food has expanded beyond just describing what we eat; it also includes the media we consume.

In this way, KFC teaming up with Lifetime to make a holiday romance film makes so much sense. Recipe for Seduction is a Lifetime original short film starring the hunky Mario Lopez as Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame. In the short film, the Colonel becomes a live-in chef for a financially struggling influential family and strikes up a romance with the daughter. Naturally, the mother does not approve and schemes to tear them apart while also stealing the Colonel’s secret fried chicken recipe that he dreams will change the world.

The film premiered on Lifetime on December 13, 2020. To increase the experience of viewing the short film, KFC also provided six free crispy tenders on Uber Eats orders of $20 or more. While tongue-in-cheek, reviews of the film were mostly favorable, except for one reviewer who accurately stated: “Simply another example of how corporate advertising continues to overtly commandeer everyday spaces like film and social media.”

That being said, the film ended on a cliffhanger, and I’m waiting for the sequel.^[9]

1 GarfieldEATS

“In 40 years, no one has ever come to me with such a crazy idea like GarfieldEATS, the world’s 1st entergaging Garfield’s quick mobile restaurant app,” says Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield. I couldn’t agree more. GarfieldEATS is a QMR (quick mobile restaurant), meaning that the restaurant is actually a delivery service app that you download on your mobile device. When you download the app, you can order items like a Garfield-shaped pizza, lasagna (duh), garfuccinos (Garfield cappuccino), and smoothies to have delivered to you.

Jim Davis’s quote included the word “entergaging,” and you might be wondering what that means. Well, it’s a portmanteau of entertaining and engaging. He uses this term because while waiting for your order, you can use the GarfieldEATS app to watch clips of the Garfield and Friends TV show, play games, and talk to other Garfield fans. In doing so, you can earn “paws,” which can then be turned into goupons (not Groupons!).

GarfieldEATS has opened in a few cities around the world, including Dubai and Toronto. While Garfield is known for his orange fur, GarfieldEATS prides itself on being green, with food delivered on electric scooters and in reusable packaging. The meme-ification of the famous cat has added a lot to the allure of this business venture. Still, you have to admit that this is a very ambitious project, and the founder, Nathan Mazri, has the full confidence of the Garfield licensers.

Unfortunately, steep prices, inconsistent quality, bugs in the app, and the pandemic all played a role in the downfall of the company, and it is with a heavy heart that I must say that as of 2021, the GarfieldEATS website has been taken down. Nathan Mazri often used the famous Garfield quote, “Love me, feed me, never leave me,” and I can’t help but feel like we have failed him.^[10]

We’ve all occasionally overstayed our welcome in bars and restaurants, but some establishments have bothersome patrons who have never left… even after centuries. These ten spooky establishments offer much more than just a fantastic whiskey selection.

10 Turner’s Seafood in Salem, Massachusetts

Turner’s Seafood in Salem, Massachusetts, is notable for its tasty options like lobster bisque, crab cakes, beer-battered fried fish, and french fries. The New England coast is filled with numerous fish shops; however, Turner’s has a fascinating history that makes it genuinely extraordinary. First off, the restaurant is situated in a historic structure that used to be known as the Lyceum Hall. Modeled after the well-known lecture halls of Europe, Salem’s Lyceum Hall held readings, debates, and music performances—and, surprisingly, was the location of the first public long-distance telephone call by Alexander Graham Bell in 1877. However, the property’s fascinating past has one more aspect associated with perhaps one of the darkest periods in American history.

Before the Lyceum Hall was built in the 1840s, the property was a private apple orchard. However, this was no common apple farm: it was owned by Brigette Bishop—the first woman to be hanged during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Bishop was known around town for dressing provocatively and getting into heated arguments, which might have led residents to call her a witch during the trials. Bishop denied the accusation; however, her claims of innocence were disregarded. She was charged and convicted of witchcraft, condemned to death, and hanged. Today, people claim Bishop still haunts the location and report seeing images of her ghost in windows and mirrors. The smell of apples is also said to linger in the air.^[1]

9 Scarlett O’Hara’s in St. Augustine, Florida

Contrary to appearances, this location doesn’t have a ton of Southern belles that need to get over Ashley Wilkes, but it does feature a love triangle from the 1800s. According to folklore, George Colee started work on the first house on the property for his fiancée, but before he could complete it, she ran off with a soldier. Eventually, Colee fell in love again and married another woman. A few weeks later, Colee’s body was discovered in the upstairs bathtub, drowned. Legend has it that his first fiancée—a jealous, unstable woman—had her new man murder Collee.

Currently, that floor is home to the “Ghost Bar,” where Colee allegedly still remains. He often harasses men in the restroom and continues to splash around at night even though there is no longer a bathtub. The staff believes there is at least one more ghost, though, as he has caused so much trouble for the downstairs bar that ropes have been strung in front of the liquor shelf to prevent bottles from falling randomly.^[2]

8 The Walker House in Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Mineral Point, Wisconsin, is home to the historic Walker House. The property has seen some significant changes throughout the years, just like many historic structures do. What began as a small stone lodge constructed in the 1860s for a nearby miner eventually grew into a much larger structure that comprised a fine-dining restaurant, a luxury inn, and a pub. Eyewitnesses claim that multiple ghosts have been seen inside the building.

Rumor has claimed that William Caffee, a man who was hanged nearby for murder, is one of these spirits. Thousands of people arrived for a picnic as they morbidly watched Caffee’s public execution and moment of death. A group of paranormal investigators rented out the building structure in 2009 to identify ghostly activity. Unfortunately, neither the audio nor the video equipment managed to capture any ghosts; all that was captured was the sound of the creek and the outside traffic. That didn’t stop rumors of a haunting from spreading, and now the current owners appear to be distancing themselves from the building’s eerie reputation.

The Walker House now has a few hotel options, lunch specials, and private event space. The Food Network named the restaurant’s beef pasty the best in the region. Filet mignon, spaghetti primavera, and slow-cooked baby back ribs are all offered. ^[3]

7 The Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans, LA

New Orleans, frequently referred to as the most haunted city in America, is renowned for holding voodoo ceremonies and housing many paranormal entities. The Court of Two Sisters is a historic building in the heart of the French Quarter that has a shadowy past. It was founded in 1726 and bore the names of two sisters who shared ownership of a shop there in the late 19th century. Visitors to the site have still described seeing the sisters’ ghostly images seated side by side on the patio off the dining room.

With the tale of James Cooper, a previous owner of the building, the legend of this old home becomes even more sinister. Ghost City Tours claims Cooper’s wife was discovered dead, strangled, above the restaurant. Cooper was charged with her murder and appeared in court, but the jury ruled him innocent. Strangely, a short time later, Cooper’s body was also discovered dead from strangulation in a room above the restaurant.

Also believed to have taken place in the courtyard were late-night voodoo rituals and a deadly pirate duel. The restaurant’s excellent food, including dishes like eggs Benedict, mouthwatering gumbo, and shrimp etouffee, more than makes up for its spooky atmosphere. One thing is certain: The Court of Two Sisters has you covered whether you’re visiting for the ghosts or the delicious food.^[4]

6 Shaker’s Cigar Bar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The most well-known ghosts at Shaker’s are two girls who come from quite different backgrounds. Eight-year-old Elizabeth, who fell from an apple tree on the property in the 1800s, now spends her days giggling in the women’s restroom or sticking her tiny feet out from beneath the stalls. Molly Brennan, a young sex worker from the 1920s, was killed in the third-floor penthouse because she knew a little too much. People who have been in her room have reported having visions of water pouring from the ceiling and burning walls, which is far scarier than the usual after-drinks hallucinations.

Then there’s the basement. But actually, you ought to avoid going down there. Since the “Shadow People” live there, we’ll assume you’d prefer to avoid running into one of their eerie, fully-formed black bodies. The property originally housed a Schlitz factory, which manufactured the barrels it used to brew its beer. In the 1020s, the building was bought by Al Capone to become one of his speakeasies. With drinking and gambling on the lower floors and a brothel on the second and third floors, who knows what else went on there. Its current incarnation followed a long line of pubs and bars that also called the building home.^[5]

5 The Grill House in Allegan, Michigan

The Grill House, built in 1836 and resembling a barn house, has a traditional country aesthetic that nevertheless feels friendly even if it is actually haunted, as many claim. The Grill House is well-known for its innovative concept that lets diners grill different pieces of meat themselves on sizable griddles. The restaurant’s entrees come with an endless number of sides, including loaded baked potatoes, Texas toast, and salad.

But The Grill House is renowned for something else as well, something much darker. According to legend, a local lumberjack was killed with a knife during a brawl on the property and was laid to rest in an unmarked cemetery outside. The good news is that witnesses say they have seen the lumberjack’s ghost about the property and that he has a welcoming vibe. Conclusion: The Grill House is not just among the most unusual eateries in the nation, but is also among the most haunted. After all, where else can you make your own ribeye and perhaps even encounter a ghostly lumberjack?^[6]

4 Twisted Vine in Derby, Connecticut

Twisted Vine is a restaurant that offers haunted meals and ghost tours, and it is located in a former bank that dates back to the late 1800s. The Twisted Vine actually hosts a variety of eerie events, such as tours of nearby haunted cemeteries and a psychic fair with tarot readings. But where does Twisted Vine get her interest in the paranormal from? It turns out that some really unsettling things took place here.

A terrible flood that swept over the area in 1955 and killed nearly 100 individuals is a nightmare scenario that will undoubtedly haunt us. In addition, the rising water uncovered the coffins of dead bodies in a nearby cemetery, bringing them floating to the surface like that dreadful and fabled moment at the conclusion of Poltergeist. The bank was one of the few buildings left standing after the flood at the time; therefore, the basement served as a makeshift morgue as the city rebuilt following the destruction.

We believe it is safe to say that the Twisted Vine has earned itself a good haunting or two thanks to the cemetery pool party and the dead bodies it piled up in the basement. Knowing that hordes of water-logged human corpses once floated in the same general area as you have a delicious meal like chicken marsala is definitely a little strangely morbid. But hey, life can be really twisted sometimes.^[7]

3 Ernestine & Hazel’s in Memphis, Tennessee

The storied Earnestine & Hazel’s is the best dive bar in Tennessee and the place to get the best burger in the country, but it also has a complicated history. The two-story, labyrinthine pub was originally a church, then a pharmacy, but has also served as a brothel and a jazz cafe. These are businesses that frequently have very devoted patrons. According to rumors, 13 separate people allegedly met their end within Earnestine & Hazel’s walls— but none of them actually departed.

When no one is around, the ghostly piano upstairs starts to play music. Steps can be heard day and night. Periodically, the jukebox will start up with a needle drop that seems disturbingly appropriate for the current situation. One employee tells a story about when she and a coworker were discussing James Brown when the jukebox started playing “I Feel Good” out of the blue. There are apparitions among the people. Both customers and staff claim to have experienced ghostly touches. Tragic events frequently occurred there, which likely kept some former patrons lingering. Today, it appears that the burgers are what keep customers coming back.^[8]

2 White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island

Let’s start this narrative off with a pair of drifters, just like pretty much every ghost story you told during sleepaway camp. In the 1720s, two guys entered the pub searching for a bed for the night. The owners discovered one dead by the fireplace the following morning and the other utterly gone. Now a ghost chills by the fireplace, daring people to explain his mysterious demise. Additionally, there have been sightings of a man with a colonial appearance in the upper bathroom and eerie footsteps everywhere.

Surprisingly, there is another White Horse Tavern in New York City that attracts a lot of paranormal enthusiasts too. Dylan Thomas died not long after drinking too much whiskey at the bar and still frequents the same table occasionally, proving that he hasn’t learned his lesson.^[9]

1 Muriel’s in New Orleans, Louisiana

In a city like NOLA, haunted buildings are commonplace. Although Muriel’s doesn’t have the most horrifying history, it has witnessed some sinister acts. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan purchased the abandoned mansion in the late 1700s and brought it back to life. Then, in a classic future-ghost move, he lost a poker game where he bet the entire house. On the second level, close to where the Seance Lounges are now, he committed suicide because he couldn’t bear to leave the building.

Jourdan spends the majority of his time there. Although he only seldom manifests as a full-fledged apparition, such as a shimmering light, he nonetheless bangs against the brick wall with all the vigor of one. He also has company. There is probably another spirit in the Courtyard Bar who enjoys shattering glassware, and paranormal investigators have heard the voice of a woman in the Seance Lounges. They probably enjoy a delicious dinner at Jourdan’s designated table—which the staff provides with bread and wine each night—after they all finish their nightly spooky antics.^[10]