Yuk! - Rats run wild in KFC - Taco Bell In New York

United States
February 23, 2007 4:20pm CST
A dozen rats were caught on video scurrying around the floor of a New York City Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell restaurant early Friday, running between counters and tables and climbing on children's high chairs. News crews flocked to the windows of the Greenwich Village neighborhood restaurant, which hadn't opened for the day. By Midmorning, the footage was all over the Internet and television news shows, with onlookers giving play-by-play from the sidewalk as the rodents moved about. "He's coming for his close-up," one bystander said as a rat came near the window. I don't know about you, but this completely grosses me out. I saw it on the news today. The rats were everywhere. The restaurant has been closed and will not reopen until it is completely resanitized and given a clean bill of health. In my opinion, this restaurant should never be allowed to open again and the building should be used for a non food type of business. Not too long ago it was Taco Bell who had the e-coli scare where over 70 people were sickened. I think it's time for some new leadership over at KFC/Taco Bell. What do you think? Lloyd
10 people like this
39 responses
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Good morning Lloyd, I'm really glad that I came across your post other than at meal-time. The last time I was in NYC - Manhattan, I saw what I thought was a cat, out of the corner of my eye. Then I saw the tail. Eee gads, it was a rat as big as a big Tom-Cat. It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. As for camera's catching the filthy rodents having their own little after-hours party, well ... sadly it's not the first time, nor will it be the last. When buildings are literally on top of each other, with millions of residents, and their food stuff(s) i.e. garbage, is ever present, it's gonna' happen. It's a fact of life, just like roaches in big cities. It's times like this that I'm glad the Dept. of Health has the power to confirm for the customers that a complete re-sanitation has been performed. And, to mandate with follow-ups, that the restaurant remains committed to complying with sanitary guidelines. It also makes me glad that I don't live in a big city! But, even out here in the sticks, we have to worry about mice. So, I guess there's really no escaping rodents. The key is to be diligent in rendering one's home, or place of business unfriendly to all rodents. Package things in air-tight plastic so they can't smell it, poison them, to limit the health risks associated with their colonies populating, and as for restaurants ... use stainless steel wherever possible. Rodents can't climb up it, they can't chew threw it, and it's easy to keep sanitized! As for forcing the restaurant to re-locate: I don't think that'll really accomplish much. There will be rodents wherever the KFC/Taco Bell moves. And, rodents don't need the "special recipe" to be satisfied. They'll eat cardboard, electrical wiring covering, insulation, you name it - they'll eat it.
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Hi Lloyd, I agree that it's likely that that particular restaurant was not doing it's best to adhere to USDOH guidelines! Are all their surfaces stainless steel? Was their food properly stored? Was the staff was adhering to US DOH guidelines for cleanliness? If they weren't doing their best, then the management needs to be dealt with. And, they should not be able to re-open until the DOH can confirm that the rodent problem has been attended to, and that the restaurant meets (or hopefully exceeds) the city's restaurant requirements for cleanliness. However, if they were passing their health inspections, what do you propose?
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
Thanks for your detailed observation of this issue. I know it's hard to conquer the rodent problem, however this is way beyond our standards. There has to be better recognition of pests like this. They are obligated to do better. Obviously they weren't doing their best. Lloyd
2 people like this
• Canada
24 Feb 07
It would be totaly different if they seen one or two in there but as many that was seen in there is unbelieveable I strongly agree that there where not even close to trying with anything to stop this out break..Soul craweling gross
• United States
25 Feb 07
That was so gross. When I saw this on the news it made me ill. You really never know what happens in your favorite fast food place after hours. I am glad that I don't frequently partake in fast food.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Feb 07
Hubby asked if I wanted to go to Taco Bell in our town a couple of days ago. I asked him if he remembered that video we saw on the news. We headed to Wendy's.
• United States
26 Feb 07
I don't blame you. I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about that video. Probably would want to walk behind the counter and do my own inspection first. Lloyd
• United States
25 Feb 07
It was hard to watch. I know I'm not in a hurry to visit my local KFC or Taco Bell. I had heard bad things about Taco Bell even before this episode. Lloyd
2 people like this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
23 Feb 07
Yeah, the rat thing is pretty gross. I wouldn't blame Yum Brands (which owns Taco Bell, KFC, and others) for it, because this location, like many others, is owned by independent franchisees. (I have a feeling this franchisee might be getting his contract revoked, soon!) This location had been issued a health warning recently, and it was supposedly doing some construction to meet the health dept's requirements. The Yum people say they think the construction may have stirred up the the rat problem. I don't know if that's the case, but in my apt. building every time there's renovation in a nearby apt. I get a new family of mice in my place. I have to admit that the video I saw was pretty funny to watch, with the bystanders giving their commentary, like the one about the rat coming for his "close-up"!
2 people like this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
24 Feb 07
If the rat problem was only with this one location, there'd be no reason for investors to sell the stock. If it turned out to be a wider problem (like the E. coli episode), then I could understand people dumping the shares.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 07
I just checked the stock quotes on Yum Brands. It opened at $61.06 and closed at $60.51. I would have thought it would have taken a bigger hit, but I guess investors only worry about the bottom line. The franchise was sited for having rats and mice just last December. Lloyd
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Feb 07
It's not so much that the leadership for these places needs to change, I think it's both possibly the way the employees are cleaning (or not cleaning) and the health inspectors not doing their job that these places have gone downhill. It really seems that in some cases the bigger the city (no not picking on one city in particular), the less some people care about actually doing something right and just getting through with their work day. Which causes these sort of colossial problems to unfold. Kinda scarey, but it's a cold hard fact that a lot of it would be prevented if each shift was better staffed to take on large crowds, and for health inspectors and "leadership" parties were making sure they employees were doing their cleaning duties correctly.
• United States
25 Feb 07
You are right. This was a total breakdown from top to bottom. Let's hope we never see something like this again. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
23 Feb 07
I agree they need more than just to clean house. They have a long history of violations and I think the Health Department isn't doing their job well either. I will be home cooking tonight!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Feb 07
You know that the management and employees knew of the problem. There would have been signs of rat infestation everywhere. Rat dropping, etc. But they chose to look the other way and endanger the eating public. This facility should be shut down to set an example for the other franchise owners. Lloyd
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I am willing to bet that the biggest reason that no one said anything is because the employees there aren't native speakers and don't want to lose their jobs. However; I am also willing to bet that an employee there tipped off someone and the story was ran with. Hopefully, those people won't suffer too long while the store is shut down. But, that is just horrible management and the audacity to force your employees to work in those conditions disgusts me.
1 person likes this
@nashelsky (124)
• Singapore
24 Feb 07
i also think the same way as you do. They should not be re-opened. Even they do, they should know that business will not be as good as before anymore, unless they re-open in different place where nobody actually know about the incident. However, I still think there should be such policy to prevent the re-opening of such stores.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
They will be re-opened, and people will go there again. It's always that way in manhattan. It's no one's fault, it's just the way it is. Most places, even places that you think would have the cleanest bill of health, have health code violations. It's usually the places that seem the dirtiest that have little to no violations in NYC! LOL
• United States
25 Feb 07
I'd be curious to see how many people visit this location after it re-opens. You know the media will be there reporting on it. I know I wouldn't be eating there. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@caraj444 (1075)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
Thats pretty gross, im glad i dont eat at either of those restaurants. gross things happen in so many restaurants, good ones and crappier ones, if most people really knew what went on in restaurants they wouldnt bother eating out at all ever. I prefer to eat in my own home where i know exactly how clean it is and how everything is being prepared.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
I think more people will be preparing their meals at home. I've always been that way. I probably eat out at fast food places about 12 times a year. I'm not a big fan of fast food. Plus I've heard bad things about Taco Bell even before this incident. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Wow, would that be a sight. We never get to see that kind of thing. Would question the safety of eating though. Does not surprise me since there is a high unnatual concentration of people in one area. The rats are smart and very opportunistic. I think that we miss all the fun. My cat Merlin agrees.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
They say that there are 8 times as many rats in New York city as there are people. I would not want to live in a place with that high concentrations of rats. Could you imagine if some kind of plague breaks out? You would have to quarantine the whole city. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@ronita34 (3922)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I agree with you and i for one also think that this is totally disgusting and it gives me the creeps. In fact it even sends chills up and down my spine ..... ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!! I think that they should also consider selling after sanitizing the place to something that does not involve food as this to me is just gross and it is gross even after being sanitized as the thought will always be there!
• United States
25 Feb 07
Someone earlier mentioned that it should be turned into a Pest Control Company. Wouldn't that be ironic? Lloyd
1 person likes this
@camille101 (1025)
• United Arab Emirates
24 Feb 07
This is just so gross! Yaikkss! It is disturbing to know that food houses like this runs in your neighborhood. The blame should be put on the authority since they let these dirty owners operate without passing the sanitary requirements needed for such sensitive businesses which caters food for the people. This will be another scandal for those corrupt authorities who are responsible for filtering and cleaning out the community
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
Someone in authority isn't doing their job. I hope it's not a scadal where someone has been paid money to look the other way. Lloyd
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I saw that last night it made me cringe i dont use fast food places much but that made me feel like never ever using them again .dont tell me they didnt know about the rats ,they leave signs when they infest !
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
They had to know the scale of this problem. Not only wouldn't I eat there, I wouldn't want to work there. And yes they leave a lot of signs. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww That sounds really nasty!! I have never heard of that, but I did get food poisoning from Red Lobster once...you pretty much take your life in your hand when you go out to eat...
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
Wow. Sorry to hear that. Did they take care of you medical bills? It is a gamble anytime you don't see your food before it's served to you. Lloyd
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
That is so disgusting. How could they have gotten so bad before someone decided to close the place? If I saw one rat that would be it. They shouldn't be allowed to serve food in there anymore either. Rats carry all kinds of diseases and you never know what else they are carrying.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
There are many that agree with you regarding this topic. I agree with you. They sould never be allowed to serve food there again. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@goodson (93)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I saw that!! It made my skin crawl. Actually, I have never heard of a dozen or so rats moving in at the same time. These had to have come in one at a time. I don't live in NY but, if I did, I would have second thoughts of visiting this particular restaurant even after it is 'sanitized'. Just knowing those hairy creatures were running around would be enough to keep me away.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
It was pretty gross. They were everywhere. They were on the high-chairs for the babies. That is unacceptable. Lloyd
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I was totally disgusted...I just seen it on the news...and they were trying to say it was an isolated incident...yeah right. You don't have that many rats if it is an isolated incident..I think they need to shut it down definitely until they can determine what is going on?
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
Maybe they should put a 2 dollar bounty on rats in New York. Anyone capturing a rat should be able to benefit from it. Money talks. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@7nicole1 (1633)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
Ya I agree its very gross. I find alot of the fast food places nowa days are getting worst and worst when it comes to being clean. I had recently saw this program where alittle girl had went around to a bunch of fast food restraunt and took samples of their ice and toilet water. Well after she got her test back she found out that every restraunt that had it ice tested turned out to be way more dirty then the toilet water. McDonalds had the worst I guess so ya I agree I think something needs to be done at all these fast food restraunts and as for the rats I would never eat in one of those places again if I seen that.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I remember that program. I used to be one that always put a lot of ice in my drink too. Not anymore though. Lloyd
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I saw this on Fox News. It was SO nasty. I seriously wouldn't reopen at that place and I hope they listen to feedback from the customers. I hope they tell them they won't go back to that particular place and they have to move their stores to another location. If a local resturant in my area, reopened after having rats everywhere, I wouldn't go back. You should see me when it gets cold and we have mice that pop in from the fields. (we've had one this year) Bleach becomes my friend for days and days.. It just grosses me out!
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I guess many of us won't be eating fast food any time soon. It should never be re-opened as a food establishment. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@doncris (637)
• Romania
24 Feb 07
I must say that I'm shocked. In my country there aren't many KFC restaurants, but every time I went to one, they were EXTREMELY clean and I had nothing to complain about hygiene. I must say the same about McDonald's; it has to be because of the fact that my country is considered "in development process" and that's why these fast food restaurants are so highly appreciated and almost everybody makes a big deal out of going to eat at KFC or McDonald's. In France, for instance, Paris to be precise, I threw up 2 times after eating from McDonald's. To them, it's the place for the poor I guess, and it's pretty dirty.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
They need to address this issue immediately. This goes for every place that serves food. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@ILANEDRI (1921)
• Israel
24 Feb 07
I gree with you completely. This is so disgusting. How can rats get to that place? This means that this resturant doesn't care about cleaning, and they work in a stinky place. They don't deserve to reopen in the future. I think that they need to pay money to their costumers who were at the time when the rats showed up. So disgusting!
• United States
24 Feb 07
I just hope this situation helps increase the standards that all food establishments follow. This is unacceptable. Lloyd
1 person likes this
@mbarryton (1872)
• United States
24 Feb 07
your right that is really gross and ill probably think twice now before i go to KFC. they should use that building now for non food things. i bet there will be alot of people that will be disgusted and wont go back even when they reopen after they think about all the rats running around. i know i couldnt
2 people like this
• United States
24 Feb 07
It should never be opened as a food establishment. Like someone said earlier, it should be turned into a pest control center. Lloyd
1 person likes this