'Absolutely Inappropriate': Tourist Disgusted After Restaurant Receipt Jokes About Spitting in Their Food

A family breakfast on the Italian coast took a shocking turn after a tourist discovered a disturbing message on her restaurant receipt that appeared to instruct staff to spit in her food. What began as an unsettling dining experience quickly escalated into a viral controversy, with the customer calling the incident 'completely unacceptable'.

The fallout spread from a scathing Google review to TikTok, where the restaurant's response drew further attention and raised fresh questions about how the incident was handled.

Tourist Left Speechless After Runny Eggs and Sinister Note

Maria Clara, a 20-year-old Brazilian-Italian woman living in Florence, was having breakfast with her family at Victor Lab in Riccione, Emilia-Romagna, on 19 August. She had ordered scrambled eggs, juice and coffee, but said the eggs came back much runnier than she wanted.

Clara said she politely asked the server if her eggs could be 'a little more cooked', but claimed he responded dismissively, saying, 'We don't make raw eggs here.' Rather than make a scene, Clara said she let the issue go.

The eggs eventually arrived 'very soft', but she chose not to send them back because she did not want to argue. She also said her order came with a salad despite asking for it to be left out.

It was only later, when she checked her receipt, that she discovered a message apparently intended for the kitchen rather than the customer. A photo of the receipt, shared by Clara, shows the message reading: 'This is pissing me off. Burn the eggs and spit in them.'

Clara said the message was written by a 17-year-old server. She and her family initially wondered whether it was a joke, but became concerned about whether her food could have been tampered with.

There is no evidence that anyone actually spat in Clara's food, and the restaurant has not indicated that this happened.

Restaurant Mocks Controversy in TikTok Video and Makes It Worse

The incident took another turn after Victor Lab responded publicly. The restaurant had initially apologised in a response to Clara's Google review, describing the employee's behaviour as 'absolutely inappropriate' and saying it did not reflect the business's values or professional standards.

It also said the 17-year-old had been working at the restaurant for around two weeks. The restaurant reportedly cancelled the family's bill and offered complimentary items, which were not accepted.

However, on 22 August, Victor Lab posted a video on TikTok that appeared to mock the controversy. The skit featured a customer character rejecting various menu items before asking for a dish with 'spit'.

The video also referenced the 17-year-old server and included a poll asking viewers whether he should be dismissed. The restaurant has not confirmed whether the teenager was actually fired.

Clara was unhappy with the response. 'Sometimes it almost makes you laugh when you watch it, but this isn't a laughing matter. It's serious,' she said.

Clara also said she had received death threats and racist abuse after the incident attracted widespread attention. She has asked for her surname to be withheld from reports.

Social Media Split Over Whether the Joke Video Crossed a Line

The comic response did not land well with everyone. One commenter argued for a firmer response, writing: 'In my opinion, dismissal and complaint for damages to reputation. Furthermore, it seems inappropriate to make funny videos about such a serious matter. Go eat where the waiters spit in your food.'

Others were equally unimpressed, with one user, ChrissTee, writing that 'this is NOT cute or funny especially if you know why they made this video.' Another commenter asked, 'Are u guys stupid??? why would u poke fun at this incident.. disgusting smh,' branding the approach tone-deaf.

Not every response was hostile, however. Some users argued that the teenager deserved leniency, with one writing that although the behaviour was not ideal, 'everyone deserves a second chance'. The same TikTok user said they believed the teenager would 'learn from their mistakes'.

The controversy has since generated a wave of reactions and reviews online, putting further scrutiny on both the employee's alleged message and the restaurant's decision to respond to the backlash with humour.