A Texas woman’s ordinary taco lunch turned disturbing when she allegedly found something she never expected in her food: a cow’s tooth.
Nohemi Castillo has filed a lawsuit against the popular Texas-based restaurant chain Torchy’s Tacos, claiming she nearly swallowed the object while eating a beef barbacoa taco purchased from an Austin location.
The incident reportedly happened on June 9, 2026, but the case attracted widespread attention after Castillo filed her lawsuit on October 13.
She is seeking up to $250,000 in damages, alleging that the restaurant failed to properly inspect and prepare the food before serving it.
In an unusual development, Torchy’s Tacos confirmed the object was a cow’s tooth.
The company says the tooth may have remained in the beef during processing and has promised to work with its supplier to prevent similar incidents.
Here’s what happened and why this unexpected discovery has become a legal battle.
A Routine Taco Order Takes a Disgusting Turn
Castillo ordered takeout from Torchy’s Tacos at 1822 South Congress Avenue in Austin.
Among the items was the restaurant’s popular Democrat taco, which features beef barbacoa.
The dish typically includes slow-cooked beef, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, and onions, making it a familiar choice for customers who enjoy traditional Mexican-inspired flavors.
Nothing about the order initially suggested anything unusual.
But while eating, Castillo reportedly found a hard object in the meat.
According to court documents, she nearly swallowed what appeared to be a cow’s tooth.
The discovery immediately interrupted her meal.
Her attorney, Scott Vasquez, later explained that Castillo was disgusted and shocked by what she found.
Speaking with KVUE, Vasquez described his client’s reaction as one of disbelief.
She examined the object and suspected it was a tooth.
The incident was particularly unsettling because the object had reportedly made its way into a prepared taco without being detected.
What should have been a simple lunch suddenly became a question of how the restaurant handled its ingredients.
A Cow’s Tooth Hidden in the Barbacoa
Perhaps the most surprising detail is that the restaurant hasn’t disputed the object’s identity.
After reviewing the customer’s complaint, Torchy’s Tacos confirmed that it was a cow’s tooth.
The company explained that its barbacoa is made from beef cheek, a cut of meat commonly used in slow-cooked dishes.
Because cheek meat comes from an area close to the animal’s jaw, the company said an unwanted tooth can occasionally remain during meat processing.
In a statement reported by FOX 7 Austin, Torchy’s acknowledged the discovery and said it was rare.
The restaurant said it uses beef cheek supplied by an outside company and conducted a review after receiving the complaint.
That explanation provides some context for how the tooth might have entered the food.
However, Castillo’s legal complaint raises a different question.
Even if such an incident is unusual, should the object have been detected before the meat was served?
Her attorney believes the restaurant and its suppliers should have taken steps to prevent the tooth from reaching a customer’s meal.
Woman Says She Needed Medical Attention
The lawsuit describes more than an unpleasant discovery.
According to the complaint, Castillo became sickened by the experience and sought medical attention later that evening.
She reportedly received prescription medication following her visit.
The court documents do not publicly provide a detailed medical diagnosis explaining the nature or extent of her alleged injuries.
However, Castillo claims the incident caused physical discomfort, emotional distress, and other losses.
Her attorney has emphasized that the object presented a potential choking concern.
Although Castillo reportedly avoided swallowing it, he believes the outcome could have been more serious.
The legal complaint also states that the restaurant manager was informed about the discovery.
According to the filing, it was unclear what steps the manager initially took to resolve the problem.
These statements represent Castillo’s allegations, and the claimed injuries and damages have not been established by a court.
Nevertheless, the tooth’s discovery is no longer in dispute because the restaurant has acknowledged it.
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The Lawsuit Seeks Up to $250,000
On October 13, Castillo filed her lawsuit in Travis County District Court.
The defendants include Torchy’s Tacos and Success Foods Management Group LLC, which operates under the restaurant’s name.
The complaint accuses the companies of negligence and failing to exercise reasonable care in preparing, inspecting, and serving food.
It also raises allegations involving implied warranties, the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and federal food safety requirements.
According to the filing, Castillo believes the restaurant should have known that foreign objects could enter its products.
The lawsuit claims the defendants failed to adequately monitor the food preparation process and prevent the object from reaching a customer.
Castillo is requesting monetary relief of $250,000 or less.
The requested compensation includes alleged medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, and diminished enjoyment of life.
However, the amount represents a legal demand, not money she has already received.
Any final award would depend on the court proceedings, and the allegations remain unproven.
Torchy’s Tacos Responds to the Complaint
As the story gained attention, Torchy’s Tacos issued a public statement addressing the incident.
The company said it was aware of the customer’s experience and took concerns about its food seriously.
It also emphasized that the beef used in its barbacoa comes from a supplier providing natural beef cheek.
After investigating the complaint, the restaurant said it identified the object as a cow’s tooth.
Torchy’s explained that this type of contamination can occasionally occur during meat processing, although it described such instances as rare.
The company also announced that it was working with its supplier to strengthen internal procedures.
The goal, according to the statement, is to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
That response confirms that the company recognizes the need to address the situation.
However, identifying the object does not establish that the restaurant was legally negligent.
The central legal questions concern responsibility, the precautions taken during food preparation, and whether the alleged failures caused compensable harm.
Those issues would need to be resolved through the legal process.
Attorney Questions How the Tooth Went Undetected
Castillo’s attorney has expressed frustration with how the incident was handled.
Vasquez believes the tooth should have been discovered somewhere between the meat supplier and the restaurant kitchen.
Speaking to KVUE, he suggested that multiple opportunities existed for employees or processors to identify the unwanted object.
He also criticized what he described as an inadequate initial response from those involved.
According to the attorney, the restaurant’s representatives did not provide the answers or resolution he expected after the complaint was raised.
Torchy’s has since publicly acknowledged the cow’s tooth and said it is working with its supplier.
That leaves an important issue unresolved.
Was the tooth overlooked during processing, preparation, or final assembly of the taco?
Publicly available reporting has not established exactly where the failure occurred.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the defendants responsible, but the court ultimately determines liability.
Related:20 Kitchen Mistakes That Are Making Us Cringe (Yes, You’re Guilty Too.)
Why This Case Matters Beyond One Restaurant
Finding an unexpected hard object in restaurant food can ruin almost anyone’s appetite.
But the Torchy’s lawsuit highlights a broader concern about the journey food takes before reaching customers.
Large restaurant chains often rely on outside suppliers for meat and other ingredients.
Those products may pass through multiple stages of processing, transportation, storage, and kitchen preparation.
Each stage involves procedures intended to maintain quality and prevent unwanted materials from reaching consumers.
When something unexpected appears in a finished meal, questions naturally arise about where those checks may have failed.
In this case, the beef cheek becomes particularly relevant because of the company’s explanation about the tooth.
Still, an unusual incident at one restaurant doesn’t establish that the same problem exists at other locations.
Torchy’s has described the occurrence as rare and says it has taken steps with its supplier to strengthen procedures.
For customers, the case reminds them that restaurants are responsible for addressing complaints about unexpected objects in food.
It also illustrates how a single customer experience can escalate into a substantial legal dispute.
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