'Very big shock': Man claims spicy salsa caused PTSD, demands Rs 92 lakh

Tourist sues Times Square taqueria over spicy salsa. (Image credit: AI generated)

• German tourist sued NYC taqueria over spicy salsa, lost the case
• He sued Walmart over WiFi and NYPD for not recording a statement.
• All lawsuits were dismissed, court said salsa spice is expected

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A German tourist who travelled to New York City in 2024 and later sued three bodies over his series of experiences. He claimed that he suffered from severe "post-traumatic symptoms" and "distress", but the court ruled against him.

His first lawsuit was against a taqueria in New York City over spicy salsa. He claimed Los Tocos NO. 1 at Times Square failed to inform him how hot it was.

Faycal Manz, an engineer and part-time law student, said in court that one bite of the self-serve green salsa caused immediate physical problems, according to The Independent. Federal court documents in the Southern District of New York stated that he began suffering severe symptoms right away.

He claimed that the incident made his heart race and caused a burning sensation on his tongue. He added that he suffered mouth sores, gastrointestinal problems, and emotional distress, and demanded $100,000 (Rs 92,36,380) in damages.

He said in the lawsuit that, coming from Germany, where he does not eat spicy food, the experience was a big physical and mental shock. “For someone like me, living in Germany and eating nothing spicy, it was a very big shock physically and mentally.”

However, he lost the case as Judge Dale E. Ho said that spice is often expected in salsa. “When it comes to salsa, the spice is often the point.”

The judge also noted that a simple Google search or reviews of Los Tocos No.1 would show the salsa can be quite spicy. The restaurant’s lawyers argued that he was responsible for his own actions, while court records stated the salsa was described as medium.

He filed lawsuits against Walmart and the NYPD

The tourist’s second complaint was against Walmart over Wi Fi access. He alleged that the Secaucus, New Jersey, store blocked him because his number was from Germany.

He later sued the NYPD, claiming officers refused to record his statement or investigate after he reported an attack on a homeless person. He said the incident left him with post-traumatic stress, but the case was dismissed.