Texas Woman Finds Cow Tooth in Taco, Files Lawsuit Against Torchy’s Tacos

A Texas woman experienced a shocking lunch event when she reportedly discovered a cow tooth in her taco. Nohemi Castillo, who purchased the meal from Torchy’s Tacos on South Congress Avenue in Austin, claims she nearly swallowed the unexpected ingredient. This has led her to file a lawsuit against the well-known restaurant chain.

According to a lawsuit filed on October 13 in Travis County District Court, Castillo found the tooth while eating takeout on June 9. The tacos she ordered, known as “Democrat” tacos, were advertised without the unusual addition.

Torchy’s Tacos confirmed the discovery in a statement to KVUE, a local TV station. The restaurant acknowledged its own investigation concluded the object was a cow tooth.

“Upon receiving the guest complaint, we conducted a thorough review and identified the item as a cow tooth. This can occasionally happen when processing the meat, though it is quite rare,” the company stated.

The restaurant explained its barbacoa meat comes from natural beef cheek supplied by a vendor. Torchy’s emphasized that it has already taken measures with its supplier to prevent future occurrences.

Scott Vasquez, Castillo’s attorney, informed Fox News Digital that Torchy’s did not confirm the object was a cow tooth until the incident gained media coverage four months later. Vasquez shared additional photos depicting the tooth alongside a measuring tape for comparison.

A witness statement detailed the incident further, describing how an ordinary lunch turned unpleasant when Castillo removed an object from her mouth.

“As we were eating, I heard an ‘awww!’ When I turned to Nohemi, I saw her pulling something out of her mouth, she said, ‘I think it’s a bone,’” the witness wrote. Castillo then identified it as resembling a tooth.

The lawsuit claims Castillo suffered from disgust, sickness, and required medical attention, incurring expenses and experiencing physical pain and mental anguish. The legal complaint alleges failure on Torchy’s part in food preparation, inspection, and monitoring of its meat supplier. It also accuses the business of breaching implied food safety warranties and violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Castillo is seeking monetary damages of $250,000 or less, with the final sum determined by a jury. Vasquez noted that since the story’s exposure, other reports of similar incidents at Torchy’s have emerged, although these accounts remain unverified.

In response, Torchy’s claims to have taken the complaint seriously, ensuring a thorough review was conducted. The chain restated its commitment to food safety and addressing customer concerns.