Public Health & Customer Service Warning - Habanero Sombrero, The Forks…read more
If you're visiting The Forks and planning to grab something to eat, I would strongly encourage you to think twice before eating at Habanero Sombrero.
I can't speak to how often this restaurant is inspected, but based on my experience, I have serious concerns about its food handling and customer service.
I ordered a meal and, after eating a significant portion of it, discovered a long strand of what appeared to be human hair buried in my food. The moment I saw it, my stomach turned. I was horrified, wondering how much of it I may have unknowingly eaten before noticing it. It was one of the most disgusting dining experiences I have ever had.
I immediately brought it to the attention of the staff. The first employee I spoke with was genuinely apologetic and immediately offered me a refund. I truly appreciated the sincerity of her apology and was actually about to tell her not to worry about the refund because I understood that mistakes can happen.
Unfortunately, before I could say a word, another employee came out from the back, interrupted the conversation, and completely changed the tone of the interaction. In a rude and dismissive manner, he said no refund would be given because I had already eaten the food. He then suggested that I could have been the one who planted the strand of hair, and that he could offer me a complimentary drink instead.
Let that sink in.
I never asked for a refund. It was offered to me, and I was about to decline it before I was interrupted. Yet, instead of being treated with empathy after finding hair in my food, I was effectively accused of trying to scam the restaurant.
I have never felt so insulted, embarrassed, or disrespected as a customer.
The employee then went to speak with his boss. I don't know what he told him, but he returned and said the owner would only authorize a complimentary drink or that I could send an email if I wanted to pursue the matter further.
Finding hair in food is bad enough. It can happen in any restaurant. What truly defines a business is how it responds when something goes wrong.
In my case, the issue wasn't just the hair--it was the way I was treated afterward. Instead of taking responsibility and trying to make things right, I left feeling accused, dismissed, and humiliated.
I'll let others draw their own conclusions, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend Habanero Sombrero. If cleanliness, professionalism, and respectful customer service matter to you, I would encourage you to consider the many other excellent dining options available at The
