Fact Check: Did Texas Roadhouse servers contaminate Black customers’ food?
WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor circulating online claims that white servers at Texas Roadhouse and Logan’s Roadhouse conspired in a Facebook group to contaminate Black customers’ food by licking their fingers, touching the food, or spitting in it.
The posts also warned Black customers against eating at the two restaurant chains. Let's fact-check the claim.
Claim: Texas Roadhouse servers contaminate Black customers’ food
The rumor appeared to come from a screenshot of a Facebook post shared in a group called “White and Proud.” Several Facebook groups use that name and the same profile image.
The original post is now unavailable and may have been deleted. It was reportedly shared in an archived group and attributed to a user named Nancy Smith.
It claimed that a secret Facebook group with more than 400,000 members was encouraging white servers to lick their fingers and touch Black customers’ food. It also alleged that some cooks were involved.
The rumor continued to spread on other platforms. The post claimed, "To all you blacks in here, keep this in mind. Hope you enjoy your meal next time you eat out. There is a Facebook group that I am a part of, and it is for white servers. We have come up with a plan."
It added, "When a table of black diners comes in and places their order, we walk back to the kitchen to get your food when ready. There is ALWAYS a blind spot in the kitchen, and we are licking our fingers and touching your food. If it happens to be a Texas Roadhouse or Logan's, those rolls are full of our white saliva. Some of the cooks are in on this too."
Fact Check: The claim is false
The claim is false. No verifiable evidence has been found to support the allegation that white servers conspired in a Facebook group to tamper with Black customers’ food.
In the statements shared by Texas Roadhouse, the company called the rumor “completely unfounded” and said it does not “tolerate discrimination, harassment, or mistreatment of any kind.”
A company spokesperson also called the allegation a hoax in an email and described the restaurant’s food-safety procedures.
The spokesperson said, “Our investigation, along with other outside sources, points to a hoax. We have found no credible evidence of food tampering or that this accusation is based in truth.” The company said it had hired a third-party firm to help identify the source of the allegation.
Texas Roadhouse also said its restaurants follow strict food-handling and safety procedures.
"Our restaurants follow very strict handling procedures when it comes to food safety and quality. Additionally, we utilize a Manager in the Window system. Prepared food passes from our kitchen to the expo window directly. All food is checked for quality and then sent directly to the table."
