Dallas Woman Eats at Texas Roadhouse. Then Her Family Has To Rush Her to the Hospital: ‘When They Say They Put Something in the Food—Believe Them’

A Dallas woman says a family dinner at Texas Roadhouse took a terrifying turn. She began experiencing severe swelling around her eyes shortly after leaving the restaurant. Then she wondered if the viral claims were true.

Sonya Reed (@redgirl566) detailed her distressing ordeal in a viral TikTok with over 352,700 views.

According to the creator’s account, she went to Texas Roadhouse with her daughters and one of their boyfriends. 

Everything seemed fine while they were eating. Then, after leaving the restaurant, something went wrong. She only made it to her car before noticing that her eyes were beginning to swell. The reaction became serious enough that she was rushed to an emergency room.

While discussing the experience, she said she believed the allegations that they were “putting something in our food.”

That comment was apparently a reference to the alleged disturbing videos and posts circulating online, which have since been debunked. These clips allege that employees were deliberately contaminating food belonging to Black diners.

Her Reaction Comes Amid Viral Texas Roadhouse Claims

Sonya’s story comes as social media users have been sharing allegations stemming from a viral Facebook post involving a group called “White and Proud.”

According to reporting from NBC 15, the post alleged that members of the group were discussing mistreating Black customers and tampering with their food. Screenshots reportedly spread rapidly online. 

The allegations prompted outrage and calls for people to boycott Texas Roadhouse. Calls to boycott other restaurants were also mentioned in connection with the claims. 

The controversy prompted other diners to share past Texas Roadhouse experiences. One TikToker said she found what appeared to be a rolled-up receipt inside her Caesar salad.

Were the claims substantiated?

There was a major problem with the viral story. The claims were never substantiated.

The original Facebook post was deleted, and some people who had helped spread the allegations later said the story was a hoax. There was also no verified evidence identifying a Texas Roadhouse employee or establishing that the alleged behavior actually occurred at one of the restaurant’s locations.

What did Texas Roadhouse have to say about the viral claims?

Texas Roadhouse claimed it was an online hoax.

The franchise responded to the controversy and said it took the allegations seriously. The company investigated the claims and said it found no credible evidence that food was being deliberately tampered with.

The restaurant chain ultimately said its investigation, along with information obtained from outside sources, pointed to the viral story being an online hoax.

Texas Roadhouse also said it hired a third-party firm to investigate the source and motivations behind the allegations.

So what caused Sonya’s eyes to swell?

Her eyes swelling after the meal is a real medical event, but the cause remains unclear. 

However, swollen eyelids appearing within minutes to a few hours after eating can be a sign of an acute food allergy.

According to medical guidance, the reaction occurs when the immune system releases histamine, causing fluid to build up in the thin tissue around the eyes. Common triggers include nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, wheat and soy.

Food allergies can cause anything from mild puffiness to more serious swelling, and may also come with hives, itching, stomach problems, or difficulty breathing. 

While that doesn’t establish what caused the woman’s reaction, it offers another possible explanation for the sudden swelling. 

User@Imurgurl75 agreed that it was a simple food allergy and not related to the viral allegations. “They claim they’re spitting in food, so unless you’re allergic to saliva, it was a basic food allergy,” she joked.

@redgirl566 #texasroadhouse #fypシ ♬ original sound – Sonya

The internet already connected the dots

Still, the timing has understandably left some social media users questioning why Sonya chose Texas Roadhouse.

“And u still went after all the news,” one commenter incredulously asked.

In the comments, Sonya clarified that her experience happened in May before the viral video surfaced. 

Nonetheless, her video emerged against the backdrop of viral allegations specifically warning Black customers that something could be put into their food. 

For viewers, experiencing sudden swelling immediately after a restaurant meal amid allegations could understandably seem like more than a coincidence.

The Mary Sue reached out to Texas Roadhouse via email and Sonya via Instagram direct message for comment.

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