On March 25, authorities stormed the Jin Gu restaurant located in Madrid’s Usera neighborhood, uncovering deeply disturbing conditions inside.
Footage captured by officers revealed twisted meat strips draped over makeshift drying racks, while other clips exposed bags filled with grimy meat and bowls containing cooked, defeathered street pigeons.
According to local news outlets, the establishment stored food in eight malfunctioning, rust-covered freezers—none of which bore any labels or expiration dates. Insects such as cockroaches were crawling through the kitchen, and rat traps were scattered throughout the floor.
Inspectors also noted the absence of thermometers for monitoring storage temperatures and reported that most cookware was corroded and filthy.
Moreover, the venue was found to be in possession of banned products, including sea cucumbers, which are subject to strict marine protection laws.
Authorities also uncovered a hidden compartment behind a shelf in the accessible restroom—a space not declared on the restaurant’s license.
Following the inspection, the eatery was forced to shut down, and the owner is now under criminal investigation for endangering public health.
This incident coincides with another high-profile restaurant scandal in London. The upscale Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, once visited by celebrities like Rita Ora and Selena Gomez, was recently closed due to rodent infestations.
Health inspectors discovered traces of rat and mouse activity throughout the premises, along with droppings contaminating various food items. The restaurant also failed to follow hygiene regulations and did not comply with a prior warning to improve sanitation.
Legal proceedings have since been initiated against business operators Robert Kenneth Newmark and Conor George Thomson-Moore. The latter recently admitted to several food safety violations in court, with sentencing expected later this year.