Picture this: you’re at Chili’s, enjoying some sizzling fajitas, when suddenly, a three-foot Eastern rat snake decides to join the party. Yep, that’s right—this slithery intruder wiggled its way into a Shallotte, North Carolina Chili’s during lunchtime, sending customers into a frenzy. Talk about a twist on the classic dining experience! Apparently, the only thing more shocking than the price of a margarita is finding a snake hiding out among the chips and salsa.
When the snake made its grand appearance, the restaurant had to close its doors momentarily while animal control was summoned for this unexpected wildlife rescue. Just imagine the scene: diners gawking, servers trying to maintain composure, and one very confused snake wondering why its usual stomping grounds have suddenly become a restaurant. These folks went from “table for two” to “snake in the loo” in no time flat!
Luckily, animal control did their thing and safely escorted the snake back to its natural habitat. For all involved, this was certainly a lunch to remember, and we can only hope the snake avoids future restaurant venues—after all, it turns out dining out comes with a side of wildlife on occasion. I guess we can now add reptiles to the list of potential dinner guests—next time, just keep the salads and the snakes separate!
Mike Sanders
PHOTO – Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/ShallottePoliceDepartment
