When most people stop for a sandwich, they expect a quick meal, not a trip to the emergency room. But that’s exactly what one Maryland woman says happened after what should have been a routine lunch order from Jersey Mike’s.
The Maryland woman, a licensed esthetician who posts on TikTok under the username @thewaxingdoll, recently shared a video detailing an experience she claims left her sitting in a hospital instead of enjoying her meal. Her story quickly grabbed attention online, largely because it centers around something many diners probably never think twice about: what could accidentally end up in their food.
The TikTok creator kept the video itself fairly simple. Rather than speaking directly to viewers, she used text on screen and included footage showing a Jersey Mike’s takeout bag along with clips from a hospital visit. The message was hard to miss.
Maryland Woman Taken To ER After Ingesting Plastic From Jersey Mikes Sub
“Jersey Mikes sent me to the hospital,” the text overlay stated. According to the woman, the incident began when she was eating an Italian sandwich she had purchased in late May. While chewing, she says something immediately felt wrong.
In the caption accompanying the video, she alleged that she discovered what appeared to be a piece of plastic while eating. The situation quickly escalated beyond simple discomfort.
“As I was chewing, I felt something plastic, and when I look[ed] there was a plastic [shard] in my tonsils, and after x-rays, CT, and three failed IVs, I finally got it removed (but ended up swallowing it),” she wrote.
It’s the kind of story that instantly taps into a universal fear. Most people have probably experienced finding an unexpected ingredient in a meal at some point, but few expect a situation serious enough to involve medical imaging, multiple IV attempts, and a hospital stay.
What makes the story even more frustrating, according to the TikToker, is what happened after she tried to alert the restaurant. She explained that she contacted the Jersey Mike’s location responsible for preparing the sandwich. Rather than seeking compensation, she says her goal was simply to make management aware of the situation.
The Restaurant Didn’t Take It Seriously
According to her account, she offered documentation from the hospital and even told employees she still had the sandwich available if they wanted to inspect it. “I explained everything to the manager and even offered to show my discharge paperwork, and I even told him I still had the sandwich if they wanna look at it,” she wrote.
However, she claims the response left her disappointed. The creator alleged that her concerns were not taken seriously and further stated that attempts to contact the company’s corporate office were unsuccessful.
“Come back with a lawsuit update,” one person commented. “If you have a phone you have a lawyer,” said another. “Contact the health department and keep trying corporate,” a third person weighed in. “Did danny devito show up to say sorry?” a fourth social media user joked.
Whether or not additional details emerge, the story has resonated with viewers because it highlights something consumers often take for granted the expectation that a quick lunch order will be exactly that: quick, simple, and safe.
The Maryland woman ended her warning with a message that was direct and difficult to ignore. “Be careful where you eat.” For many social media users, that cautionary statement may be the most memorable part of an already unsettling story.
What To Do If You Find An Item In Your Food
According to Super Lawyers, if you find a foreign object in your food, you should store the item in a container in your freezer until taking steps to figure out what it is, and if you’ll pursue legal action. “If something in your food causes you injury and it’s due to a food manufacturer or food preparer’s fault, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries,” the site reads.
So, it seems that the Maryland woman may have a legal case after all.
Preston Thomas 
Casey James 
Dylan Cook 
