Woman ‘Traumatized’ After Finding a Baby Snake Swimming in Her Margarita at Restaurant

A Virginia woman’s night out turned unforgettable — and not in a good way — after a slithery surprise crashed her dinner.

Carletta Andrews and her husband had headed to Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in Sandston on April 16, looking forward to a relaxed meal. But as they were wrapping up, Carletta’s evening took a wild turn. When she leaned in to sip her margarita, something unexpected bumped her forehead.

“I looked at my husband like, ‘What was that?'” Andrews told 8 News. When she turned around, she spotted the tiny culprit — a baby snake, swimming right in her drink.

To make things even creepier, Andrews said the little snake began to wrap itself around her straw. Restaurant workers tried to remove it with a stick, but it was another customer who finally grabbed the squirming guest and took it outside.

“I left shaking,” Andrews said. “I was traumatized.” The restaurant offered to move her to another table, but she decided she’d had enough excitement for one night.

Adding to her unease, Andrews couldn’t stop wondering if there were more snakes lurking nearby. “Is the mom there?” she asked, noting that the one she found was just a baby.

The owner of Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina later told 8 News the snake probably got inside through an air conditioning unit. Despite the incident, the owner reportedly said there were no plans to take additional precautions.

Records from the Virginia Department of Health revealed that the restaurant had faced several violations during an inspection in December 2024, including mold, broken handles, and a missing ceiling tile — though those issues were corrected within a week.

Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina currently operates two locations, one in Sandston and another in Chester. As of April 27, they had not responded to requests for further comment.

It’s safe to say Carletta’s next night out will involve a careful glance into her glass — just in case.