Woman Says She's Traumatized After Snake Plunges Into Her Margarita at Virginia Restaurant

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. ( WRIC — This is one tale you’ve got to witness to believe. A woman from Virginia claims she was deeply disturbed when a serpent dropped from the ceiling at a Mexican eatery in Henrico County—and right into her margarita.

Carletta Andrews reported that this incident took place at the Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in Sandston on the evening of April 16. During an exclusive interview with 8News anchor Autumn Childress, Andrews revealed that after finishing their meal with her spouse, she noticed something touching her forehead.

I moved closer to drink from my glass when suddenly something struck me on the forehead. I glanced at my spouse with a look of confusion," Andrews explained. "Upon turning around, I spotted the snake inside my margarita.

"It was shifting. It began coiling around my straw," she explained.

For Andrews, the remainder is somewhat hazy. She remembers the staff at the restaurant attempting to get rid of the baby snake using a stick, however, she mentioned that another patron took hold of it and set it free outdoors.

I continually said, 'Please don't put it in my purse,'" she recalled. "I left trembling. I was deeply shaken.

Andrews mentioned that the restaurant proposed relocating her to a booth, yet she simply desired to depart swiftly.

Stunned, she shared the image of the serpent along with an account of the incident online. The responses varied widely, encompassing astonishment, skepticism, and outright refusal to believe her story. Someone commented, "I'd be out like a light if I saw that." Another individual added, "They’d have had to take me straight to the hospital after this."

Andrews mentioned that not only was she taken aback, but others were also astonished by how adeptly she managed the circumstances; however, she still seeks clarification on what transpired.

The 8 News team contacted the restaurant's owner, who acknowledged being informed about the incident. According to him, the reptile probably entered the establishment via the ventilation system. When Childress inquired about measures taken to stop such an occurrence for future patrons, the owner responded with "no actions have been implemented."

8News additionally attempted to obtain past inspection records from the Virginia Department of Health.

Documentation indicates that multiple infractions were discovered during a scheduled examination conducted in December 2024. These included mold presence, damaged handles, an absent ceiling panel in the dish area, fractured floor tiles across the kitchen, and dripping ceiling panels. The records indicate that all identified issues had been rectified upon subsequent review, which took place approximately one week after the initial assessment.

Andrews mentioned precautionary measures regardless, but expressed her hope that steps could be taken to avoid another individual ending up scarred. "What if it were the baby—I'm afraid... is the mother present?"

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