Taco Bell has added some interesting items to their menu over the years — everything from Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos Mashed Potatoes and Baja Blast Glazed Ham for its 2017 Friendsgiving event, to Nacho Fries and even a Kit Kat Chocoladilla. Last time we checked, though, utility knives weren’t available for sale at the Mexican-inspired fast food restaurant. But according to The Takeout, that’s exactly what Twitter user Ashley McNamara of St. Augustine, Florida, found in a recent Taco Bell order. And she had the pics to prove it.
On Friday, May 10th, McNamara tweeted images of a box cutter snuggled neatly next to her coworker’s Fiesta Taco Salad.
The unnamed colleague reportedly called the restaurant immediately after noticing the unusual accompaniment and was initially told, “Sorry, it must have fell in the box.” Sorry, but if you ask us, a box cutter is a pretty poor substitute for extra sauce packets or — the horror! — missing sour cream.
McNamara told First Coast News that after posting the images to a review group on social media, the Taco Bell location’s district manager apologized to both McNamara and her coworker. They also offered a gift card to make up for such egregious behavior, even though the salad emerged seemingly unscathed from the incident.
A glimpse at McNamara’s Twitter profile indicates just how serious she probably took the offense, considering her bio reads simply, “Chips & queso is life.” Same girl, same.
Twitter/ASHLEY MCNAMARA
As usual, the Twitterverse had some interesting opinions on the box cutter snafu.
We guess that’s one way to look at it.
That box cutter is incredibly clean, like it has never been used.
— Some Dude (@deltaisfordeath) May 14, 2019
Lady Jane probably isn’t a fan of Taco Bell anyway.
We’re almost certain the box cutter won’t elicit a “yum” upon actual consumption.
Mmmm...box cutter
— Shep (@Trades44rs) May 13, 2019
But wait! This apparently isn’t the first time Taco Bell has unwittingly given away a box cutter with someone’s order.
It definitely looks like the same kind of box cutter, right?!
Getting a free item at your local drive-thru is usually a pleasant surprise.
— Louisiana First News (@LAFirstNews) March 28, 2019
Not in this case though, a bright yellow box cutter was sitting on top of the lunch order his wife recently ordered at the Taco Bell on Troup Highway in Tyler.https://t.co/EsyIAHRrpq pic.twitter.com/HUPm7L1Z7I
In 2018, Twitter user Elizabeth K claimed to have received an actual box cutter blade in her own greasy to-go bag.
Still haven’t heard anything from @tacobell about how a box cutter blade ended up in our bag. #fastfoodfail pic.twitter.com/jc8Q17JYEm
— Elizabeth K (@Tangerbean) March 4, 2018
Apparently, Taco Bell has a long and sordid history of giving away box cutters as if they were Happy Meal toys.
You won’t pay more for the box cutter, but extra sour cream will definitely cost you.
Kylin seemed very matter-of-fact about the whole thing.
So one of the workers at Taco Bell accidentally gave me a box cutter with my food.
— Kylin ॐ (@ThatLaoKidv) June 15, 2017
This harrowing account dates all the way back to 2014.
I once ordered a beefy five layer at the drive thru and the guy at the window gave me 3 sticks of butter & a box cutter instead. @TacoBell
— Jobo (@Cptn_Insano) October 26, 2014
Unfortunately, Taco Bell is no stranger to inciting controversy.
An overcooked chalupa is no laughing matter.
[fm_youtube url="https://youtu.be/Vvy_zRx0NTs"]This sounds like a case for the fashion police, amiright?
Time to turn up the heat. The Taco Shop Summer Collection is available now. https://t.co/px6BYpdv1y pic.twitter.com/YBOySQnPLG
— Taco Bell (@tacobell) May 2, 2019
Driving under the influence of nachos is a serious offense.
Seems valid RT @nypost: Woman blames drunk driving incident on Taco Bell nachos https://t.co/6k8b4Q3l0X pic.twitter.com/ChKLEJr6UV
— ✨Princesa✨ (@AyeeMami001) May 2, 2019
For its part, Taco Bell released a statement reaffirming its commitment to customer safety in response to McNamara’s account, according to First Coast News: “The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority; we are grateful to hear that no one was injured. The operator of this location has reached out to the customer to apologize and resolve this accident. Team members at this restaurant will be retrained on proper storage and safety procedures.”
The lesson here? Eating at Taco Bell might be hazardous to your health in more ways than one.
