A Florida man just learned one hard lesson about late-night taco cravings

A Florida man’s hankering for a midnight snack at Del Taco turned into a shocking episode of destruction.

The fast-food establishment denied his order because the kitchen had already closed.

And a Florida man just learned one hard lesson about late-night taco cravings.

Florida man goes berserk over closed kitchen

Anthony Izzo, 41, pulled up to a Del Taco drive-thru in Port Charlotte, Florida, looking to satisfy his late-night hunger pangs. 

However, when he reached the window around midnight on Sunday, employees informed him they couldn’t take his order.

The kitchen had already shut down for the night, and staff had put away the meat. 

Most people would simply drive to another restaurant, but Izzo had other plans.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, moments after being denied service, Izzo flew into a rage and decided to leave more than just his drive-thru order behind.

According to the sheriff’s office, “Izzo had driven up to the window and tried to break it with a pipe wrench in his car. He allegedly hit it four times, and after cracking it, drove away.”

The outburst terrified Del Taco employees who initially thought they were under attack.

Workers reported hearing loud popping noises and called 911, fearing that someone was firing gunshots. 

One frightened employee told the 911 operator that she heard what sounded like gunfire near the drive-thru window.

Pipe wrench rampage leads to jail time

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office quickly tracked Izzo to his home on Birchcrest Road, where he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief.

Officials estimate that the damage to the drive-thru window totaled approximately $2,000 – an expensive price to pay for not getting tacos.

Izzo was booked into the Charlotte County Jail following the incident. 

It remains unclear whether he has been released on bail.

This is certainly not the first time a Florida fast-food establishment has seen unusual customer behavior. 

The state has developed something of a reputation for bizarre incidents, with “Florida Man” stories becoming a popular internet phenomenon.

Fast-food workers deal with difficult customers on a daily basis, but violent outbursts like this one cross the line from merely unpleasant to potentially dangerous and criminal.

Restaurant employees aren’t required to serve customers after closing time, and most establishments post their hours of operation clearly for customers to see.

Late-night food options dwindling

Many fast-food chains have reduced their late-night hours in recent years, particularly following the pandemic. 

Staffing shortages, safety concerns, and cost-cutting measures have all contributed to earlier closing times at many establishments.

For night owls looking for a late-night meal, planning ahead and checking restaurant hours online can help avoid disappointment – and potential criminal charges.

Del Taco, known for its Mexican-inspired fast food menu, operates more than 580 restaurants across the United States, with a small but growing presence in Florida.

The Port Charlotte location is one of several Del Taco restaurants in the Sunshine State. 

The company has not released an official statement regarding the incident.

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder that no matter how hungry you might be, damaging property is never an appropriate response to being denied service.