Milpitas restaurant PhoLove has been briefly closed by the county’s well being division after a viral video confirmed an worker slamming frozen ribs on the bottom exterior of a restaurant.
The restaurant homeowners, nevertheless, declare that the video is sabotage from a former worker, and say they’re collaborating with the well being division on an investigation.
The video — which has garnered a whole lot of 1000’s of views throughout completely different social media platforms — exhibits somebody grabbing slabs of ribs and slamming them in opposition to items of cardboard positioned on stained concrete. At completely different factors within the video, the meat skitters in opposition to the stained concrete and bumps right into a mop bucket. The video is shot from above and seems to be the view from the roof of the restaurant.
A self-proclaimed geoguesser on Reddit posted that the restaurant was PhoLove in Milpitas, and claimed to have reported the restaurant to the well being division.
In accordance with a press release from Santa Clara County Environmental Well being Director Marilyn C. Underwood, representatives from the division carried out a full investigation this morning. Whereas investigating the rib incident, the inspectors famous different “major violations, including a cockroach infestation” and an lack of ability to “properly sanitize utensils and equipment.” The restaurant additionally was cited for its dealing with of the frozen ribs and has been closed till the homeowners can tackle the problems and “demonstrate acceptable food handling practices.”
Previous to the incident, county well being inspections over the previous 12 months had proven solely minor violations previous to these proven within the viral video.
The connection between the restaurant and the video additionally led to an outpouring of concern, with scores of one-star critiques referencing the video from customers all through the northern hemisphere – together with so far as jap Canada.
Yelp has since disabled critiques for the restaurant.
Tran responded to the allegations in feedback on the positioning by saying that the video got here from a former worker making an attempt to “bring my restaurant down” and famous at one level that those that had been commenting probably had by no means been to the restaurant.
“We’ve seen the video being shared online, and we are as concerned as you are. The behavior shown does not represent our values or our training. This was a deliberate act by a former employee and an accomplice, and we were never involved,” stated Tran on Yelp. “We have already filed a report with the police and will support their investigation fully. Thank you for your support as we work to uphold the standards you expect from us.”
Officer Michelle Sanchez, Public Data Officer for the Milpitas Police Division stated that the division was conscious of the video however was “not investigating the incident at this time because it does not have any criminal conduct” and would fall beneath the jurisdiction of the county well being division.
Previous to the viral video, the restaurant was beloved by on-line reviewers, with 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google’s assessment platform and scores of constructive critiques on Yelp.
Screenshots from a viral video allegedly displaying an worker at a Milpitas restaurant slamming ribs in opposition to stained concrete. (@sergiogarcia9100/TikTok)
