In March and April 2011, six patrons of a restaurant in Minneapolis became ill with gastroenteritis. Ill persons were members of 2 separate groups. One group ate from the restaurant's menu on March 29. The second group ate from the buffet on April 2. The two complaint groups reported different symptoms and incubation periods. Among the March complaint group, both cases reported diarrhea and cramps but no fever, vomiting, or bloody stools. Stool specimens submitted by the 2 ill persons in this group were negative for norovirus and bacterial pathogens. Individuals from this group reported consuming schwarma gyros, yellow rice, and a chicken dinner ordered from the menu.

Among the April 4 complaint group, all four reported vomiting, 3 reported cramps, and one reported diarrhea. No stool specimens were submitted from this group. Individuals from this group reported consuming lamb ribs, lamb steak, chicken wings, and falafel from the lunch buffet.

No improper food handling practices were observed by a Minneapolis Environmental Health sanitarian. Investigators concluded that because the distribution of symptoms and incubation periods
differed between the two complaint groups, there could have been two separate contamination events, or a source of illness other than the restaurant for at least one of the groups.