I completely agree with your comment about McDonalds but that's what she wanted at the time and I couldn't convince her otherwise. We've been eating in ever since, we both agree that it's much safer and a lot healthier. I just gotta learn how to cook some Asian meals before her next Chinese food craving kicks in.
WARNING about Imperial Buffet at 3120 Dixie Rd in Mississauga. Spider found in food
- Last Updated:
- Oct 8th, 2018 10:37 pm
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- SCORE+10
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
I reported it on Saturday and I just got a response from the following reply.
Thank you for contacting us about this concern. We will refer your complaint to the Public Health Inspector, who will conduct an inspection of the restaurant.
The Health Inspector will contact you back to examine the photographs that you have taken of the insect. You can also send the photos of the spider to us and we will forward them to the Inspector.
If you wish for the Health Inspector to call you back you may email us your daytime phone number. If you have any questions, please call Peel Health at 905-799-7700.
Thank you,
Environmental Health Contact Centre
Public Health Inspector
- tweep0
- Sr. Member
- Aug 17, 2006
- 572 posts
- 693 upvotes
- Toronto
Wow... clearly this thread is filled with people have very poor eating standards!!MrMimizu wrote: ↑lol, love these first world problems.
You see a bug in your food, then you don't eat it.
Why call waiter over when you can just go get something else? Not sure how the pregnant wife makes the story any different. It's not
like you found thalidomide or something that can actually harm your unborn child in the noodles. A mouse or rat dropping, there would be hell to pay but spider? Not a big deal.
FYI, my wife is 5 months pregnant and she'd just put it aside and go get something else. If it was a non-buffet resto we'd ask for a replacement."
Yes... this is a first world problem... but don't minimize it by calling it a first world problem. RFD was created and maintained based on first world problems (the problem of overpricing). If you're so sensitive to the problems of the third world, maybe you shouldn't be spending so much time on RFD and instead volunteering in Uganda.
No one wants an insect in their meal. It's irrelevant whether the bug is inherently safe, edible, or even healthy... it is an indicator of general hygiene. If a bug could get in, why not something else (spit, vomit, semen, nail).
OP, I'm sorry you had to go through with not only finding the spider, but the unfortunate way you were treated. I agree with the others in that nothing will probably come of this, but hopefully it helped you vent about the situation and maybe you've convinced a few people not to go here. I'm actually surprised, however, at the reactions of some of the posters.
- No Frills
- Deal Fanatic
- Dec 3, 2009
- 6029 posts
- 1391 upvotes
- Toronto
Most of the time when people report to health inspectors like this, they come up with nothing. Usually the reports are more in spite of poor service rather than the food incident itself such as this case. If the restaurant bribed the partrons better, they wouldn't have tattled.
Remember to be an RFD-er and NOT a degenerate.
- ippon
- Deal Fanatic
- Sep 24, 2005
- 9454 posts
- 1013 upvotes
- N/A
problem of overpricing is exclusive to first world?tweep0 wrote: ↑Wow... clearly this thread is filled with people have very poor eating standards!!
Yes... this is a first world problem... but don't minimize it by calling it a first world problem. RFD was created and maintained based on first world problems (the problem of overpricing). If you're so sensitive to the problems of the third world, maybe you shouldn't be spending so much time on RFD and instead volunteering in Uganda.
No one wants an insect in their meal. It's irrelevant whether the bug is inherently safe, edible, or even healthy... it is an indicator of general hygiene. If a bug could get in, why not something else (spit, vomit, semen, nail).
OP, I'm sorry you had to go through with not only finding the spider, but the unfortunate way you were treated. I agree with the others in that nothing will probably come of this, but hopefully it helped you vent about the situation and maybe you've convinced a few people not to go here. I'm actually surprised, however, at the reactions of some of the posters.
since when?
“Children see magic because they look for it.”
- tweep0
- Sr. Member
- Aug 17, 2006
- 572 posts
- 693 upvotes
- Toronto
- Cheap Cat
- Deal Guru
- Aug 20, 2005
- 11320 posts
- 3870 upvotes
- Nowhere
I want to congratulate the OP for paying the full bill. I don't think I would have. As I was reading his story, my initial thought was that if I was treated that way and kicked out of the restaurant without finishing my meal, I would have just walked out without paying. In reality, I probably would have just thrown some money at them to cover what I ate but I wouldn't have paid the full bill.
- rageking
- Deal Fanatic
- Sep 4, 2009
- 6575 posts
- 726 upvotes
MrMimizu wrote: ↑LOL. Calling people sad and cowards because they aren't queasy about bugs sure gives you the moral high ground.
When about 80% of the world's nations include insects in their diet, this is a first world problem. Even the USFDA and Health Canada have limits on how much insect can be in our packaged food. That maximum is NOT zero. Are you now going to complain to every company whose packaged food you find a bug in? Good luck.
When you are cooking at home and a bug lands in your food or you find a hair, do you throw the whole dish out and go yell at your spouse for having it in your food?
The problem I have is the management's response to OP and I already said what I can imagine myself doing in the same situation. That said, I wouldn't have had to get that far as I my expectations from Imperial Buffet are lower than what I expect at my favourite restaurant, Scaramouche. If this did happen at Scaramouche, I'd have definitely called the waiter over and asked for another dish.
You can say that you expect the same quality from all restaurants, regardless of price, but that's just naive. Reality is nowhere near your ideal world.
Buddy of mine found a dead roach at the bottom of his chicken noodle soup. After throwing up, he brought it to the attention of the fast food joint on The Path. Their response: "You want another bowl at no charge?" He reported it to Toronto Health. In the end, nothing happened. If there was an inspection, it wasn't forwarded to my buddy and the place never got shut down or a downgrade in their rating.
I dont care about the other 80% of the world. He's in canada eating in a canadian establishment. How is it even relevant that your best buddies and family likes to eat bugs. Who cares. You got low standards good for you.
As to Toronto health inspection services - that remains to be seens if anything will be done.
Im more concerned about what else goes on in the kitchen, as are several folks on here.
- navyseals
- Deal Addict
- Feb 10, 2007
- 2740 posts
- 318 upvotes
Just wondering if you were able to confirm that was a spider?
The picture you posted here is really blurry: http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/10/143350 ... nese-photo
The picture you posted here is really blurry: http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/10/143350 ... nese-photo
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
It had all the characteristics of a spider and she wasn't able to tell me what else it could be.navyseals wrote: ↑Just wondering if you were able to confirm that was a spider?
The picture you posted here is really blurry: http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/10/143350 ... nese-photo
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
Well, to be fair, she did give me a $4.00 discount for my child. I guess she thought that would be enough.Cheap Cat wrote: ↑I want to congratulate the OP for paying the full bill. I don't think I would have. As I was reading his story, my initial thought was that if I was treated that way and kicked out of the restaurant without finishing my meal, I would have just walked out without paying. In reality, I probably would have just thrown some money at them to cover what I ate but I wouldn't have paid the full bill.
Is it wrong that I emailed info@imperialbuffet.com this thread?
I used my debit card to pay, do you think they can do anything to me? I was told restaurants like Imperial and Mandarin buffet have some connections to organized crime and prostitution
- iEyeCaptain
- Deal Fanatic
- Aug 10, 2011
- 9598 posts
- 2225 upvotes
- Somewhere
Everything has a connection to organized crime and prostitution.basimreloaded wrote: ↑I was told restaurants like Imperial and Mandarin buffet have some connections to organized crime and prostitution
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
UPDATE from The Peel Health Inspector.
She called me today and said that she has just finished her inspection of the Imperial Buffet at 3120 Dixie Rd in Mississauga. Below is a summary of her findings:
-The shanghai noodles where we found the spider is always stored safely in the fridge and sealed. Nothing can get in or out.
-She checked the past three invoices for pests and rodents and their records are clean.
-She said that Imperial takes it upon themselves to hire an independent pest control company come once a month in order to ensure there are no pests or rodants. According to her, this is above and beyond other restaurants do.
-She did not observe any pest, bugs or rodents during today's visit.
-Because this is a stand-alone-restaurant, it makes it less likely that rodents or pests can get in.
-She asked Imperial management what else it could have been if not a spider and they responded by saying it maybe some of the bristles from the metal scrubber they use to clean the wok.
-Her conclusion was that unfortunately this may have been a "one off" incident but that she can't find any reason to suspect the kitchen has pests or rodents and because it's a buffet with many people, there can be any number of reasons for what we found
She called me today and said that she has just finished her inspection of the Imperial Buffet at 3120 Dixie Rd in Mississauga. Below is a summary of her findings:
-The shanghai noodles where we found the spider is always stored safely in the fridge and sealed. Nothing can get in or out.
-She checked the past three invoices for pests and rodents and their records are clean.
-She said that Imperial takes it upon themselves to hire an independent pest control company come once a month in order to ensure there are no pests or rodants. According to her, this is above and beyond other restaurants do.
-She did not observe any pest, bugs or rodents during today's visit.
-Because this is a stand-alone-restaurant, it makes it less likely that rodents or pests can get in.
-She asked Imperial management what else it could have been if not a spider and they responded by saying it maybe some of the bristles from the metal scrubber they use to clean the wok.
-Her conclusion was that unfortunately this may have been a "one off" incident but that she can't find any reason to suspect the kitchen has pests or rodents and because it's a buffet with many people, there can be any number of reasons for what we found
- maytricks
- Deal Addict
- Oct 6, 2007
- 1156 posts
- 656 upvotes
- Toronto, ON
That's a really reasonable response actually...basimreloaded wrote: ↑UPDATE from The Peel Health Inspector.
She called me today and said that she has just finished her inspection of the Imperial Buffet at 3120 Dixie Rd in Mississauga. Below is a summary of her findings:
-The shanghai noodles where we found the spider is always stored safely in the fridge and sealed. Nothing can get in or out.
-She checked the past three invoices for pests and rodents and their records are clean.
-She said that Imperial takes it upon themselves to hire an independent pest control company come once a month in order to ensure there are no pests or rodants. According to her, this is above and beyond other restaurants do.
-She did not observe any pest, bugs or rodents during today's visit.
-Because this is a stand-alone-restaurant, it makes it less likely that rodents or pests can get in.
-She asked Imperial management what else it could have been if not a spider and they responded by saying it maybe some of the bristles from the metal scrubber they use to clean the wok.
-Her conclusion was that unfortunately this may have been a "one off" incident but that she can't find any reason to suspect the kitchen has pests or rodents and because it's a buffet with many people, there can be any number of reasons for what we found
- basimreloaded [OP]
- Newbie
- Apr 11, 2012
- 23 posts
- 21 upvotes
- Markham
I'm happy with the quick response of the Peel Health Inspector but of course Imperial was on their best behavior and they probably run drills in case an inspector comes to visit.
At the very least, I'm sure the Imperial was surprised and maybe even a little worried. I'm sure they'll handle the situation better when someone finds a bug in their food. Maybe this will scare them into being a little cleaner when preparing food.
- navyseals
- Deal Addict
- Feb 10, 2007
- 2740 posts
- 318 upvotes
One of the alternatives of what it could've been is a very overcooked green onion bits. They sometimes split apart and get infused into other foods if they were using the same pot/wok/pan. It could end up looking like that. You're right though, it does look a lot like a spider lol.basimreloaded wrote: ↑I'm happy with the quick response of the Peel Health Inspector but of course Imperial was on their best behavior and they probably run drills in case an inspector comes to visit.
At the very least, I'm sure the Imperial was surprised and maybe even a little worried. I'm sure they'll handle the situation better when someone finds a bug in their food. Maybe this will scare them into being a little cleaner when preparing food.
- Raggie
- Deal Fanatic
- Jul 29, 2005
- 9295 posts
- 3156 upvotes
- Mississauga
I looked at the photo and it looked like a spider.
My food blog - Reggie The Food Critic.
- nalababe
- Deal Guru
- Dec 31, 2005
- 13306 posts
- 750 upvotes
Doubt it. It looks as if they already have a decent process in place. Just because one person complains they are not about to panic. For any quality program it is not about being perfect, rather it is about minimizing the likelyhood of issues.basimreloaded wrote: ↑I'm happy with the quick response of the Peel Health Inspector but of course Imperial was on their best behavior and they probably run drills in case an inspector comes to visit.
At the very least, I'm sure the Imperial was surprised and maybe even a little worried. I'm sure they'll handle the situation better when someone finds a bug in their food. Maybe this will scare them into being a little cleaner when preparing food.
Many restaurants just don't care. My sister was an inspector for years. They are not feared...just seen as a PITA. If she saw eggs that had not be stored properly, she would actually have to smash them as many resautrants would just pull them out of the trash.
- MrMimizu
- Sr. Member
- Aug 13, 2011
- 770 posts
- 371 upvotes
- Scarborough southwes…
It's as many of us expected. A single incident is not a sign of poor hygiene. It's unfortunate that there is no one to report bad service to since that was really your main beef with them.basimreloaded wrote: ↑UPDATE from The Peel Health Inspector.
-Her conclusion was that unfortunately this may have been a "one off" incident but that she can't find any reason to suspect the kitchen has pests or rodents and because it's a buffet with many people, there can be any number of reasons for what we found
I used my debit card to pay, do you think they can do anything to me? I was told restaurants like Imperial and Mandarin buffet have some connections to organized crime and prostitution
It's too bad since my low standard, bug eating friends and family can't go there with the expectation of some extra protein.
As to them providing better service. I highly doubt it. That kind of poor service won't get better unless they ditch manager "A".
What you hear about organized crime and what happens are two different things.
If you think they skimmed your debit card and pin, go change it immediately.
If you think they will be showing up to bust a cap, you can relax.
- samezario
- Newbie
- Mar 2, 2013
- 9 posts
- 1 upvote
You and your wife made this big fuss and according to the health inspector, you were WRONG! And even if it was a bug, so what, are you better than the third world who eat bugs, pests, rodants all the time? Food is food.
SamEazyE
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