Before digging into their meal at restaurants, some customers may request a refill on their beverage, more napkins, or extra cutlery. But this Texas Roadhouse customer’s request for plastic utensils for her salad prompted servers to side with her—a few cited sanitary concerns behind restaurant doors as their defense.
Texas Roadhouse customer request
In a 10-second clip, TikToker Kai Melesse (@kaimelesse) sits at a table inside a Texas Roadhouse, looking around. “Me waiting for the server to ask for plastic silverware,” she explains in the text overlay.
Then, she unveils her untouched Caesar salad, clearly refusing to settle for metal silverware. Once the content creator returns her bowl to the table, she continues scanning the room, waiting patiently for her server to return.
Melesse stands by this decision in the caption, “Not using that ran through metal.”
Restaurant workers unanimously agree
The video amassed 1 million views. Drawing on industry experience, former and current restaurant employees alike rallied behind Melesse. Consequently, some say they use plastic utensils themselves.
“As a server… i don’t blame you ONE BIT,” the top comment with over 14k likes wrote.
“Working in a restaurant will really make you switch to plastic and never go back,” another commented.
“As a hostess who had to roll all of our silverware. You don’t know how many we get back that are CACKED on with old food. I soo don’t blame you girl,” a third stated.
“I used to work at roadhouse and i always get plastic silverware now,” a fourth remarked.
Even the Texas Roadhouse server jumped to Kai’s defense. “Just to jump in, I was your server last night! You [for sure] asked when you ordered. I definitely forgot them the first time, but you were very polite about it. No hate here girl lol,” she said.
The dirty secret about restaurant silverware
Although utensils aren’t on the list of the filthiest places in a restaurant, they’re most certainly not as clean as they should be. Mashed claimed these washing practices are effective at removing germs, but not viruses, leading to a host of foodborne illnesses.
In fact, handwashing or a dishwasher doesn’t completely remove the norovirus, the contagious culprit behind the stomach flu. But this is not solely the establishment’s fault. The Takeout states that these viruses stick to dishware regardless of washing method, which could be why you might get sick while eating at a restaurant. Nevertheless, the best way a restaurant can prevent this is through proper sanitation.
If you want to take extra precautions, you can check your metal silverware for any residue or ask for plastic ones. However, you can bring your own cutlery.
@kaimelesse Not using that ran through metal #foryoupage #fyp ♬ Aint It Fun by Paramore – ☆ Audios ☆
The Mary Sue reached out to Melesse via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment as well as Texas Roadhouse via press email.
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