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Georgia steakhouse kitchen footage goes viral
The footage, recorded at the LongHorn location on Camp Creek Parkway in East Point, appears to show food scraps, trash and a roach on the kitchen floor, along with other conditions the former cook says raised concerns about cleanliness and food safety.
Former Cook Says Conditions Were Routine
Sean Headley, 36, told WSB-TV that he worked at the restaurant beginning in April and recorded the video in August.
He said he decided to document the kitchen after becoming increasingly concerned about what he described as poor sanitation practices.
The footage shows debris and trash scattered across the kitchen floor, a roach and what appears to be a cooked steak sitting on a shelf near a walk-in area.
Headley also alleged that employees sometimes ate food from customers' plates before those plates were delivered. He said he confronted coworkers about the behavior and questioned why the kitchen was not being cleaned more thoroughly.
Restaurant Responds to Viral Video
LongHorn Steakhouse and parent company Darden Restaurants acknowledged the footage and said the conditions shown in the video were unacceptable.
A company spokesperson told WSB-TV that the video was recorded several months ago and that the issues shown have since been addressed.
The company said the restaurant receives regular pest-control treatments and has a professional cleaning crew that works nightly. LongHorn also said a new leader was recently placed at the restaurant to help ensure its standards are maintained.
Health Inspectors Plan to Revisit
The Fulton County Board of Health said it plans to revisit the restaurant following the release of the footage.
The timing is notable because the Georgia Department of Public Health conducted an inspection at the East Point LongHorn on Aug. 25 and gave the restaurant a score of 90, or an A.
Records from the previous two years show inspection scores ranging from 88 to 91, according to WSB-TV.
The health department has not said what action, if any, could follow its planned visit.
Video Draws Strong Reaction Online
The footage quickly spread across social media, generating strong reactions from customers and viewers who questioned whether the restaurant was safe to visit.
FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the employee's video showed roaches, trash and other alleged problems inside the Camp Creek Parkway kitchen.
One longtime customer told WSB-TV that she had regularly visited the restaurant for years without complaints but said seeing the video made her reconsider returning.
The video had reportedly accumulated more than half a million views on Instagram by Thursday evening.
Employee Says He Wanted Conditions to Improve
Headley said his intention in recording the footage was not simply to embarrass the restaurant but to draw attention to what he believed needed to change.
He said he wanted stronger leadership, better standards and a cleaner environment for both employees and customers.
While the footage has sparked concerns online, the allegations made by the former employee have not been independently established by health officials. The planned follow-up inspection could provide a clearer picture of the restaurant's current conditions.
For now, LongHorn says the problems shown in the older footage have been addressed and that additional steps are being taken to maintain cleanliness and food-safety standards.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta
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