So turns out a fungus might have sent Paul Rodriguez to the ICU -- and get this ... he actually ordered it as an appetizer.
We're told the comedian was at a Mexican joint in Washington D.C. where he got the "Carne Asada Plate" ... but he started things off with a dish containing huitlacoche -- a corn fungus also known as "corn smut" -- and that's what he thinks made him sick.
It may be a Mexican delicacy, but there's nothing delicate about spending three days in the hospital.
Looks like real Mexicans aren't even immune to some old fashioned belly-busting Mexican food.
We're told Paul Rodriguez -- the famous Mexican-born comedian -- went out to a Mexican restaurant in Washington the night before he got really sick and had to go to the hospital for 4 days. Now he's thinking the whole thing was a bad case of food poisoning.
While doctors haven't been able to confirm this, we spoke to Paul's friend who said the comedian ordered the "Carne Asada Plate" -- and he spent the rest of the night in the bathroom ... before eventually calling an ambulance.
Paul stayed at the hospital Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night ... then checked out yesterday.
Just goes to show -- Mexican restaurants are all fun and games until someone is rushed to the ICU.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez is still in a hospital in Washington D.C. but there is at least one good sign that he's getting better -- he's texting.
Mario Santoya -- who works with Paul at the California Latino Water Coalition -- says he left Paul's side last night, but received a text from him this morning. Santoya says Rodriguez is conscious and "feeling better."
Rodriguez was hospitalized Thursday night after complaining of stomach pains.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez is still in the hospital with what seems to be a mystery illness.
Paul was rushed to George Washington University Hospital in D.C. on Thursday after complaining of severe abdominal pain. He was placed in ICU, where he remains.
Rodriguez is a leader in the California Latino Water Coalition and was in D.C. to lobby Congress. Mario Santoya, a fellow member of the organization who has been by his bedside, told TMZ a few minutes ago doctors still don't know what is ailing Paul. They're doing tests, he said.
Santoya says they have taken the tubes out of Paul's nose but he's still in bad pain. Doctors will continue to do tests and he's expected to be hospitalized for a few more days, minimum.
Doctors haven't figured out exactly what's wrong with comedian Paul Rodriguez -- who's in ICU right now with severe abdominal pains. Mario Santoya -- who works with Paul at the California Latino Water Coalition -- tells us Paul is in stable condition at George Washington University Hospital in D.C., but has been forced to take pain medication while doctors try and pinpoint the cause of his illness.
Mario says multiple tests and x-rays have been performed on Paul since he was rushed to the hospital yesterday -- but to no avail.
As we first reported, Mario found Paul -- who had been throwing up the night before -- immobilized by pain in his hotel room yesterday and was forced to call an ambulance.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez got into it with a Fresno local over the state's water distribution system -- and the stand-off erupted into a one-sided shoving match.
It all went down yesterday outside of the Tower Theatre, where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was speaking about the water issue. The showdown with Rodriguez broke out when a farmer interrupted the comedian's interview and accused the Paul -- who's also chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition -- of "betraying the people."
From what we can tell, the man was upset because he felt Rodriguez was not doing enough to help valley farmers facing a water shortage.
Pushes were thrown, but we're told no cops were called.
Why drop $30 to see Paul Rodriguez at the ritzy Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, CA -- he'll do his stand-up for nothin', so long as there's a camera around.
No one was off limits yesterday outside the Ivy, where P-Rod took on John McCain, Pauly Shore, the Olsen Twins and even preggo Bristol Palin ... who he so fondly titled "a little ho."
Why pay to see a show at the Laugh Factory when you can see one for free right out front?
Comedian Paul Rodriguez did a whole routine for TMZ cameras last night -- ripping Carlos Mencia a new one, giving props to Barack Obama and even calling his female friend a man right to her face.
So turns out a fungus might have sent Paul Rodriguez to the ICU -- and get this ... he actually ordered it as an appetizer.
Looks like real Mexicans aren't even immune to some old fashioned belly-busting Mexican food.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez is still in a hospital in Washington D.C. but there is at least one good sign that he's getting better -- he's texting. 
Comedian Paul Rodriguez is still in the hospital with what seems to be a mystery illness.
Doctors haven't figured out exactly what's wrong with comedian Paul Rodriguez -- who's in ICU right now with severe abdominal pains.
