Fast food drive-thrus have become an essential component of our modern, convenience-obsessed society. They are ubiquitous and are meant to serve as smooth, efficient food delivery mechanisms. However, on occasion, things do not go as smoothly as planned. Here are nine bizarre drive-thru incidents that will leave you baffled, shocked, and, in some instances, chuckling.
9. The Reverse Drive-Thru
In 2022, a customer took the term “drive-thru” a bit too literally. Since her car was imported from Japan and the steering wheel is on the opposite side, she was not aligned with the drive-thru process as it normally would go down. Her solution? To drive reverse down the drive-thru so that her window would be aligned the normal way.
She was chastised by the worker at the window for creating a dangerous situation and called the worker a ‘Karen’ in an accompanying video she took during the incident. The video ended up causing a stir on TikTok and going viral.
8. Alligator Payment
In Florida, where the wildlife can be as unexpected as the weather, one customer decided to spice things up by throwing a live alligator through the drive-thru window after receiving his order. Authorities later found the alligator roaming inside the restaurant, and it was safely removed. The customer was subsequently arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.
7. The Too-Tall Truck
In Australia, a customer in a raised 4×4 truck misjudged the height of the drive-thru clearance. The result? His vehicle got stuck, causing a sizeable traffic jam and a whole lot of embarrassment. The man’s pride might have been a little dented, but thankfully, nobody was hurt.
6. Wedding at the Drive-Thru
A couple decided to tie the knot in the place where their love story began – a fast-food drive-thru (a Dunkin’). Yes, you read that right. Complete with a fast-food employee officiating and guests in cars behind them, it was a bizarre, yet oddly heartwarming, spectacle.
5. Protest at the Order Window
In California, a group of animal rights activists staged a protest by handcuffing themselves to the order window. Their goal was to disrupt business until the restaurant agreed to their demand of offering more vegan options. After a lengthy standoff, police arrived and the protestors were removed peacefully.
4. Horse and Buggy
While not technically a car, this list wouldn’t be complete without the story from Pennsylvania where an Amish man rode his horse and buggy through the drive-thru to order a milkshake. It’s not every day that you see a horse-drawn vehicle at a modern fast-food joint!
3. The Mobile Pool Party
During a sweltering summer in Texas, a group of friends decided to turn the back of their pick-up truck into a mobile pool. They then proceeded to roll through the drive-thru to order food, causing a stir among the staff and fellow customers alike.
2. Angry Mascot Mayhem
In Georgia, a man dressed as a well-known fast food mascot freaked out at the drive-thru window. Apparently upset with the quality of his burger, he attempted to climb through the window to confront the cooks directly. The bizarre scene ended with the police being called, and the mascot man being escorted off the premises.
1. Unexpected Delivery
In the most heart-stopping drive-thru event on this list, a woman in Nebraska went into labor while waiting for her food. In an unexpected turn of events, the fast-food employees had to turn into midwives to assist with the delivery. The baby was born healthy, and the fast food restaurant later offered free food for a year to the newborn.
The Things You Can Witness
So while fast-food drive-thrus are designed for convenience in theory, they also make great sites for brutal fights, strange encounters, and even donut-ordering raccoons!
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