A Florida pizza restaurant was forced to close for a day after state inspectors found an 80-pound dead iguana in the freezer, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
An employee of Pizza Mambo in West Palm Beach told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the iguana was a gift to the owner meant to be consumed at a later time. It was found in a mini-freezer away from the restaurant’s food, and was thrown away after the inspectors notified the owner of the violation.
Iguana is a delicacy in Mexico, Central and South America and has been referred to as “chicken of the trees” because of its similar-tasting meat, according to USA Today.
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 13: An iguana is seen as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues its efforts to try and control the invasive species on March 13, 2018 in Miami, Florida. The commission has teams of people that are trying to eliminate the reptiles by killing them, which would prevent them from eating native plants and wildlife as well as disturbing the natural Florida habitat that they are living in. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Outside of the strange reptilian discovery, the restaurant has been on the state’s radar for other violations, including 10 high-priority offenses, according to the Sun Sentinel. (RELATED: Philly Restaurant Stops Offering Free Food To Police After Backlash — ‘We Believe Black Lives Matter’)
Included in the 27 other violations, the restaurant had been cited for the over 20 rodent droppings and numerous dead roaches, one of which was found on a paper towel dispenser by the sink.
Cooking equipment and other food-contact surfaces were also found to not be properly sanitized before use.