Internet users were left disgusted after a video appeared to show restaurant employees in Maryland seasoning food outdoors next to a trash can and in the open air.
A woman filmed employees she identified as working at Sardi’s Catering in College Park, Maryland. In the video, two employees are seasoning pork outdoors. Viewers also noted that the food was being prepared next to a large trash can, which many considered unsanitary.
Editor’s Note — Updated July 20, 2026: Following publication, Sardi’s Catering issued a statement addressing the video and concerns about how the food was handled. The company said the meat was outside only briefly while it was being seasoned and prepared for a nearby smoker, where it was then cooked for approximately eight hours.
Sardi’s maintained that the food was never compromised but acknowledged that preparing food outside is not part of its protocol and said the matter has been addressed with employees. The company also stated that its facilities undergo monthly inspections and that it follows stringent food-safety standards. This article has been updated to include the company’s response. Sardi’s Catering also clarified the location, as Sardi’s Catering in College Park, and clarified it was pork, not chicken, being cooked.
While the woman did not specifically comment on the trash can, she criticized the fact that the food was left uncovered outdoors. She filmed a rack positioned outside that held several trays of food without visible coverings. “I don’t know how long that meat gonna sit there,” she said while continuing to record the employees. She also filmed a truck parked outside the establishment with “Sardi’s Catering” written on the back.
The video sparked concerns because it appeared to show restaurant employees seasoning pork outdoors while the food sat uncovered near a large trash can. Although the full context of the food preparation process is not visible in the footage, many viewers questioned whether the practices shown met appropriate food safety standards.
Restaurants are generally expected to prepare and store food in clean, sanitary conditions that minimize the risk of contamination from dust, insects, pests, vehicle exhaust, or nearby waste. As a result, the video prompted many people to argue that businesses should take extra care to ensure food is handled in a way that protects both public health and customer confidence.
Viewers Left Disgusted Over How Maryland Restaurant Handles Food
The video sparked reactions online. Many viewers said they were disgusted by how the Maryland restaurant employees appeared to handle the food in the video, with several expressing concerns about food safety. “Mind you it’s next to the [expletive] garbage,” one person pointed out. Another commenter urged the woman to report the incident, writing, “As a food manager, call the health department please. That’s NOT okay.”
More viewers expressed outrage at how the restaurant appeared to handle food in the video. Some raised concerns about leaving food uncovered outdoors. “All of it is gross, so you know how quickly flies lay eggs?” one person wrote. Another commenter encouraged people to prepare more meals themselves, saying, “Please guys lets normalize cooking and eating at home.”
The video sparked a conversation about the importance of restaurants following proper food safety and hygiene practices when preparing and storing food. It also led to discussions about documenting and reporting practices that people believe may be unsanitary, with many viewers arguing that sharing such incidents can help alert customers and encourage businesses to maintain appropriate health standards.
