(facebook.com)
PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — Multiple customers are now claiming they found worms inside drinks purchased from a Paddock Lake McDonald’s, prompting a Kenosha County Public Health inspection that confirmed consumer complaints and forced the drive-thru beverage machine out of service.
(Photo Courtesy of KCE Reader Terry Silver)
The issue first surfaced publicly when a customer posted photos showing what appears to be a red worm inside a clear soda. The customer wrote that a child had already consumed part of the drink before the worm was discovered, describing the situation as “extremely angry and disgusted.” Images show the worm inside the cup among ice and a straw.
Additional commenters quickly came forward claiming similar experiences at the same location. One individual stated, “Same shit happened to me this morning… calling health dept,” while another said they experienced the same issue earlier in April, suggesting the problem may not have been isolated.
Those complaints appear to align with findings from a Kenosha County Public Health inspection conducted April 27, 2026. According to the official report, inspectors responded directly to “several consumer complaints regarding worms inside of beverages” at the restaurant.
(Photo Courtesy of KCE Reader Terry Silver)
During the inspection, officials identified significant issues in the area of the drive-thru soda and ice machine. The report states that tiles beneath the machine were “severely damaged,” and the unit had already been taken out of service by management prior to the inspector’s arrival.
Management told inspectors the affected machine had been discontinued and serviced by a pest control company earlier that day. The area was reportedly treated, and the machine was cleaned and sanitized. However, the inspection also noted concerns with wastewater discharge from the machine and emphasized the need for proper air-gap separation to prevent contamination from the sewage system.
The health department cited the restaurant for failing to maintain physical facilities in good repair, specifically pointing to the damaged flooring beneath the machine.
The drive-thru soda and ice machine will remain out of service until the restaurant passes a required reinspection. Health officials stated that the machine cannot be used again until inspectors verify that no contamination remains and that proper safeguards are in place. A $100 reinspection fee will be assessed.
In the meantime, the restaurant is using a separate soda and ice machine located in the dining area.
The inspection report makes clear that the investigation was initiated by consumer complaints — complaints that now appear to be backed up by multiple individuals publicly reporting nearly identical experiences.
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22 Responses
It’s only a worm. If you think that’s bad try a McRib.
McMaggot. I’m not saying this isn’t a customer setting up the Big M but if not, new sales slogan.
If I go McDonald’s, and there is a McTapeworm in my drink, and I have to pass it out my McShitter, then that McAsshole Ronald McDonald and I going to have a big McFucking problem
It’s time to put the boats in the water and go fishing !
Stop for breakfast and bait at the same time !
This could possibly be the story that stops me from eating McDonald’ for a while
“But for the worms, it is simply life.
A chance to explore new territory.
To boldly go where no worm has gone before:
the ice‑cold depths of a McDonald’s sweet tea.”
What will Wednesday worm of the day be?
I have a worm in my tequila bottle
Oh my gosh. That is revolting. It is a very busy McDonald’s too
I just want someone to explain how an earthworm makes it way from underneath floor tiles up and into a soda???? WHAT? Sounds fishy to me, no pun intended.
Who bought a batch of red worms at a local bait shop wearing a McDonald’s uniform?
Sounds like it could be a McSabotage Caper by someone unhappy in the Paddock Lake Hamburglar community.
Hmmm… Red worms are good for fishing bait, but not as good as Nightcrawlers. There is a bait shop in Paddock Lake, 23522 75th Street. McDonald’s address is 2555 75th Street. What time of day were drinks sold? Who was working the drive thru? Who has a grudge against their employer?
The early bird catches the worm
I feel bad for all the FIBS who have stopped there on the way to Lake Geneva. NOT.
A lot of questions come to mind. Just a few:
1) I’m not a plumber, so maybe I’m wrong here, but how are beverage/ice machines not a sealed system? Even if tiles are broken and worms can come up from the ground through the damaged tiles, is there a route for them to even get into the machinery?
2) I can see some crappily run mom and pop type restaurant having poor cleanliness and maintenance, but how does one of the largest corporate food chains in America allow it’s food and beverage systems to get to this point? Is this solely negligence by the local franchise owner or manager? What other franchiseas in the area does the owner of this McDonalds own? I’d really like to know what other places to stay away from.
3) If this many worms actually made their way into someone’s drink, how many more are crawling around in and around the machines? Disgusting to even think about. If this story doesn’t get debunked as some prank or scam, it’s gonna be hard to ever patronize this location again. Time to starting eating at that bougie Burger King across the street.
McDonald’s if they are to even try to recover from this at this store needs to FULLY EXPLAIN how this was allowed to happen and to the previous point, how do worms climb into machines ?
Metal machines. Stainless Steel machines.
Inquiring minds want to know
Earthworms don’t just “show up” in your fountain drink from a sealed machine.
If this drink was served from behind the counter, that is where I would search for the problem. The person who poured it or served it.
Would be interesting to see records of previous inspections….how often and if any corrective actions were noted.
I’ve visited this location before. Have you ever seen some of the drive thru humans(?) at the windows? Dead eyes, on vocalizations, …basically drones. This incident doesn’t surprise me.
It’s certainly is disgusting, but thank all of you for your hilarious comments.This made my day and I needed a good laugh.😂
There’s more meat in that drank, than in their burgers. Who eats at McDonald’s anyway?!
Incredibly gross. Guessing the worms just crawled up into the dispensing mechanism and washed into the cup when the drink was dispensed. Red worms are great climbers. I think each of those that got a worm should also get about $50,000 bucks.