Judge says spiciness 'is often the point,' in (too) hot salsa lawsuit
A federal judge ruled that a taco restaurant was not liable for damages because a man complained its salsa was too hot. (Image from Shutterstock)
A federal judge has ruled against a German tourist who sued a New York City taqueria complaining the restaurant sold him salsa that was dangerously spicy.
Faycal Manz sued Los Tacos No. 1 for $100,000 in damages after he said he experienced gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure and emotional distress from eating spicy salsas at the restaurant in 2024, reports USA Today.
Manz, a sales engineer from Germany was visiting New York City when he bought and tasted the salsa. He alleged that the restaurant failed to warn customers about the spiciness of the salsas, which he claimed caused tongue blisters, according to USA Today.
In the complaint, Manz said he wanted to eat tacos while on vacation because he cannot get them in his small German hometown. He said topped his meal with salsa and his tongue and mouth began “burning immediately,” and his Apple Watch registered an elevated pulse, the story said.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho wrote “Mexican food, and more specifically, salsa, is often spicy. In fact, when it comes to salsa, the spice is often the point.”
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